Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-04
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


them. that for the sake of peace in.ihc Terri
tory the General Government shah refrain
from enforcing the laws there. Enforce the
laws. say they, and you 1.-THE GovernmenD will
bring about civil war. Our idea is, that the
responsibility for such state Of things win be
altogether on the other side-on those who re-
sist the law. Senator Douglas maintained the
entire validity of the territorial laws of Kan
sas up to his recent regeneration Now, no
one in his speeches harps more pertinaeiously
upon the plea that to execute the law is to gen.
crate civil war The suddepnes, with which
this change has come over the spirit of his
dream, may have reference TO some other
dreams of his. ......4T H1a-. ra
We know nothing save the mania which
seems in these times invariably to afHict all
bitten severely with ambition te occupy the
Presidential chair, that could make so astutc
politician as Senator d. exhibit himself to the
world as the advocate of the doctrine that the
laws should not he enforced at all hazards, be-
cause party in the Territory proclaim them
selves above them; of the legality of which
said laws, but yesterday as it were, there was
no more earnest, open and vehement defender
than himself. Jim Lane and his numbering
band are ut this moment shooting down sheriffs
and their possess because the latter seek to en-
force these laws. Nay, even peaceable citizens
because the latter will not proclaim themselves
hostile to the law and its enforcement, and
Senator Douglas in his speeches is practically
giving Lane & Co. all the aid of his apparent
warm sympathy in his earnest appeals in jus til
fcatOn of their position in resistance Of the law
When some of our friends who are more at
tached to Senator Douglas than to the Demo
cratic party cause and the cause of the fearless
administration of the law, shake their heads in
disapprobation of our course in endeavoring to
make the Democracy of the country comprc-
bend with as little delay as possible that the
distinguished Senator cannot be for and against
the Democracy at one and the same time, these
facts rise up necessarily in our mind, to counsel
that we are but performing a very plain duty
in the Stars course towards him since he I'M
dertOok-though continuing to claim identity
with the Dcmocracy-to contend against them
shoulder to shoulder, and shield to shield, with
his colleague-Senator Trumbull, and Senators
Seward, Hale, Sumner, Wilson, ct A.
The GREAT WEsr.-Few, even among the
best informed among US, know much of the ca
liabilities of our great West for sustaining the
numerous enlightened, rich and powerful peo-
pie, who are destined to occupy it long after
we who now tread the earth are under its sod
At this central point where official information
OF new discoveries of the capabilities of this
great country of ours, and facts Calculating old
ones, accumulate so fast, we are frequently az =
founded by what we read in manuscript in the
different Departments. Thus, daily. almost
we are made to wish that the Star were as
large "a the London Times, that we might
through its columns enable all its readers to
enjoy, rs We Do the gradual realization of our
country's future, embraced in the statistics
and other facts aggregating here from time t.
time.
We are strenuous advocate of the policy of
opening routes overland of intercomm a nicatiop
with the possessions of the United States-not
only in view Of the sound military strategy in
yolyed in il, but account of the vast indus
trial benefits that must necessarily resultfrom
Its energetic and persistent prosecution by the
General Government With half dozen over
land routes-and quite that number Of excel
lent ones may be lOcated-settled ND every
thirty miles or so by Hnciei of hardy frontiers
men, engaged In growing and otherwise pro-
curing supplies for the overland emigration
we viii require hardly a 1.-THE of the military
force that will otherwise be absolutely neccs.
sary 10 maintain the authority and rights of
the General Government in the Rocky Noun
tain country, and to afford due protection to
the overland emigration that will continue to
seek the Pacific side.
OF late foods of light have leen shed upon
the hitherto terra incOgnita Of the great back
bone Of the continent in the way of official
reports We have published as much of the
reports "a our space would admit TO the CON-
mendabie end OF awakening American public
op'ni"n every where to the pressing necessity
that the General GOvernme Mt shall lose no time
IN opening up its most valuable remaining ter
rit0rlai possessions to the axe, pick. plane, and
pow OF American enterprise and industry. We
find occasionally other and non official evidences
that our dream of the remarkable capabiitie, of
the region in question is n sound ore. Such
proof Is embraced in the following letter, which
we extract from California exchange.
The GREAT DESERT OF CALIFORNIA
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov %. 1857.
Editor Hsrad: ! have been engaged in tho
PERIOD OF nearly three years. During that time /
have been on many different contracts all of
~hlch nave been east Of the San Bernardino me-
Tidlan aud west Of the Colorado river, portion
OF territory generally known as the Great Desert
IheTe ae some very erroneous opinions enter
tanned ny many citizens, not only Of this STATE,
but Oh other portions of our Union, in regard 10
THIS portion OF California This error can be cor
fecteo o" reference to the field notes tf surveys
IN the United States Surveyor Generals office In
this city
The anxious inquirer will find that there is
very extensive valley on the Colorado river, ex-
tend ng from the southern boundary OF the State
10 me boundary between this State and New
Mshlco. This valley will average about nine
Lnlirs ID width, ana is peculiarly adapted to the
growth of tobacco, cotton suyar-cane corn ana
all other kinds OF produce that would grow in
any Other portion Of our Union, and would feed
cIotht, ahd make homes for many thousands Of
our citiZens. There are many thousands OF acres
OF the most valuable SOIL south OF the base line
between the Colorado river and the San Bernard