Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-20
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,

learn that very fierce war Is being waged in
Virginia, on the Hon. John Letchsr, on tho |
ground that he is not sound upon the slavery
question. He is a candidate for The next Dem
ocratic Gubernatorial nomination, which is the
reason why this extraordinary allegation is
brought against him. Some years since, in the
discussion Of the industrial future Of Western
Virginia, he expressed a belief that it would
be we'll to get rid of the institution of slavery
there, to benefit its Industrial condition. such,
only, was the ground of his position at that
time on the question. Subsequently, as all
know, his experience in Congress, where he
has had ample opportunity to appreciate the
political bearing of the slavery question, as
we'll rs to master all the facts connected with
the industrial points on issue, he has invaria-
bly, so discharged his duties in connection with
the subject, as to earn the reputation of being
one of the most faithful, as we'll rs one of the
very ablest defenders of the rights of the South
under the General Government, who have over
held place in Congress. Without making pre-
tensions, his influence in behalf of Southern
right, and his counsels with reference to them
have, for years, been more potent with his
fellow-members, much more, than those of any
other representative from any State At this
moment he is acknowledged by all in Congress
ional life, to be the Democratic leader of the
House of Representatives; and more especially
upon questions affecting the rights Of tho
South his clear mind and laborious habits of
preparation enabling him to exercise in their
discussion, an influence never before achieved,
except by the late George Dromgoole, who, in
his day, was to the Democracy of Congress,
upon all questions of substantial Importance,
precisely what John Letcher is BOW.
Under such circumstances, that any nominal
Democrat or Democratic journal should assume
to charge him with unsoundness on the slavery
question, simply proves the extremity Of the
shifts to which personal partizanship will lead
politicians in order to compass personal ends
they have at heart. The parties for whose
benefit this war on John Letcher is undertaken,
of course, keep snugly. ensconsed in the back.
ground. Governor Wise, however, seems show
ing his hand in it. So, at least, We Judge,
from the vehemence and violence of the Rich
mond Enquirer, which leads the van of the
attack. 1t is already very certain that this
ungenerOus system of warfare on him, can only
serve to secure his nomination almost by ac-
clamation. If there exists, at this day, q living
embodiment of the conservatism Of the consti-
tuition on the slavery question, that man is no
other than John Letcher. He is afflicted with
no ultraism. In the whole course of his SER
vice in Congress, he never annoyed the House
with Buncombe speech. That is to say, he
never discoursed the House in a speech for his
own benefit, not pertinent to the subject matter
under consideration.
As Virginian-and a citizen of the State
We take more pride in the influence which
John Letcher Yields at this time, for good ends,
over the Congress of the United States, than in
aught known to the history of Virginia since
the times Of Jefferson and Madison. As John
Letcher goes, SO invariably 90 twenty or thirty
gentlemen of different parties, who arc suf-
fciently independent to do what they believe
| to be right. They know well that John Letcher
| labors night and day to become thoroughly in
| formed with reference to every thing upon which
he may be required to act, and that of all mem
bers of Congress he is most to be relied Onto
come to right cOnclusions-to conclusions which
honest and patriotic men who will not or cannot
take the trouble to study out such matters
themselves, may safely adopt for their guild
ance. Of all desperate shifts of desperate
presidential aspirants, whose public history
show them really to be unreliable, except to
| their own ambition, that of sssailing John
Letcher for un,eliability or unsoundness, SO
far as the rights of the South under the consti
tuition are concerned, is the most singular and
| absurd.
The DIFFICULTY ABOUT SMUGGLING ON THE
Rio GRAEDE FROyTIER.-A subscriber 20 the
Star In I'll Paso, sends US the following COM
munication with reference to the difficulties
existing in that quarter connected with the
collection OF the revenue-a most difficult task,
as we know we'll, on such frontier. As pre.
vious publications have been made here ON the
same subject (Which is one of peculiar interest
to the Government,) and as we know we'll that
the gentleman who sends us this communica-
ton is man of substance, perfectly reliable
in every representation he makes, we do not
hesitate to give place to his exposition of the
affair in the Stars columns, as follows:
Editor Of the Star:
The proceedings Of a meeting held In I'll Psso
county, Texas, November Goth, 1857 fand nnh
lished In the Globe of January 18th Is5s HAHN,
been severely censured by Interested and mn
truthful individuals. convened together on the
o'n Gay OF April, ISIS, in the same county we
believe we would prove recreant TO our dy,;ess y.
honest men in the maintenance Of iust ,jrht, and
eidtmS. ola we allow such assertions to 90 forth
uncontTddicted. We therefore beg the use of tho
columns Of the Star to give slight history of the
getting up Of said meeting Of April 9Th, by sinh
joining extracts from letter Of w Claude ZONES
published in the Santa Fe Gazette of NAV last
Having an extensive legal practice in FL
Paso county, Texas, 1 generally attended inc
the courts While there on Monday, the first day
OF the term OF the district court, (the 5th April3
heard there was to be meeting held on the
next day, to denOunce the meeting Of the aDtb nj
November After the adjournment Of the court.
iof dinner, on the 9th, understood that the meet
Ing was being held Ientered and heard simeon
Hart, In very bad Spanish, denounciny the for.
mrr meeting. When he had concluded. i arose
and defended the action Of the meeting Of tbe
goth OF November, and after I had said what
deemed sufhcient, being on the floor several
times, let The meeting and did not again enter
H. That portion Of the proceedings of the meet.
ing relative to my course therein is rather singu
iaf. 20 far from approving the resoluti ons Of
that meeting, did not know what thew WEE
until read them In a Washington CITY oaper
ala not read them, nor did hear them read in
finally left the meeting I was not &c.,, t tou