Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-05
WAsHINGToNNEWs AND GOSSIP.

We regret to see the New L ork IsWe' s"~
Tribune compromise their responsibility ana
the dignity of the press by Introducing INTO
their columns the names of privste ladies In
manner to annoy if not disparage them. The
Times. in order to have fling at Mr.. Bu-
chauan, makes an upjustifable use Of the
name of the wife of Sir VIM. Gore Ouseley;
and the Tribune, to crafty its hostility to the
New York Herald, attempts to cast ridicule
on the wife of its editor. We protest against
such delinquency, as being not only unmanly,
but un-American. The worst enemies of our
country and its institutions, have invariably
admitted that our Difference to woman was the
redeeming feature of an otherwise (alleged)
semi-civilized people; and We put it to the
journals in question to say whether they mean
to rob rs Of the reputation for that ehivalric
trait, which has extorted the admiration of our
bitterest foreign detractors.
Has the Administration of Mr. Buchanan
become so invulnerable, or the editor of the
Herald so formidable, that the Times and
Tribune are obliged to turn their shafts upon
dsfenceless women, whose only protection
against such odious personal assaults, is in
the polite usages Of society, and in the taste
of our public writers? Have we really degen-
Grated to such a point rs that journalists
shower their pitiless gibes upon shrinking,
sensitive women, who are in no manner legiti-
mately subject to newspaper criticism? No,
happily, our national press has not yet de-
scended to such depths as to make US wish,
in behalf of decency, for another Louis Ma
poleon to put it under wholesome restraint,
in this particular at least. The comments we
have heard on every side, go conclusively to
prove that these discreditabIe attacks. no mat
ter how ingeniously disguised, excite no other
sentiment than disgust, if not actual abhoi-
renee. The question is, not the position or
merits of the ladies alluded to, but rather the
taste and manliness Of the Times and Tribune
journalists, as we'll as the refinement and civ
ilization Of our country.
Neither Lady Gore Ouseley, or Mrs. J. G..
Bennett, have in any way obtruded themselves
on public notice, or exposed themselves in any
manner to newspaper comment. Lady Ouseley
moved last winter in the society of Washing
ton with that noiseless, unassuming grace 50
characteristic of English women of the higher
ranks, among whom she has 80 long lived. She
was only known here for her liberal hospitali-
excellence of character and disposition.
VI Mrs. Bennett we know less; but if rumor
is to be credited, she il a woman of highly Gull
tivated mind, refined and courteous manners
and extreme kindness of heart. Though enjoy
ing large income, and able to command
through the influence of her husband the
hattering attention of good society, yet she
Is said to content herself with the quiet at
fractions OF her country home, and studious-
ly avoids even the harmless publicity of sit
ting within sight when at the opera. But
were these ladies the opposite to what they are,
were they as eager for adulation as a fashion
able leader of the haut ton, or as ambitious of
notoriety as our strong minded females, yet are
they for this to be rudely dragged into print,
and their sensibilities coarseIy wounded, be-
cause the New York Times has political spite
against Mr.. Buchanan, and the editor of the
Tribune seeks to indulge personal grudge
against the editor of the Herald
1t may be that the conductors Of these prints
have not reflected with sufficient care on the
gravity of these gross irregularities that, for
the sake OF writing a piquant paragraph, they
have thoughtlessly sacrificed propriety to sar-
their journals and impairing their own consid-
Grafton in the public mind. The editor Of the
Herald, in this matter, acts wisely in trusting
to the good sense and correct feeling of the
community to avenge such indefensible atfronts;
for public opinion in this country, as in Europe,
will not tamely suffer political rancor or per-
sonal malice to exude their venom on unoffend-
ing women, in no way legitimately subject to
newspaper criticism.
We are not appealing to the clemency of the
Tunes and Tribune in behalf of the admins
tration, or the New York Hsrald-shey are
abundantly able to take care of themselves
but we should sink In our own self-respect if
We hesitated to protest against this course on
the part Of these prominent New York Journal
lists.
The OPERA The votaries of song will next
week be afforded the richest treat enjoyed for
many years in this city. 1t is long since opera
was presented with that completeness, and, we
may add, splendor Of ensemble, and that per-
lection of all the accessories which Don Pas
quale will present on Monday. With that
gallant recklessDess Of expense, where perfec-
ton Of art is concerned, which marks the lit
Tie Napoleon career, he has brought on with
him full orchestra, containing the first solo
musicians in New York. At the Concert we
were favored with some idea of their powers:
and those who listened to the overture ON
Tuesday night, will agree with rs that the
orchestra alone should prove sufficient attrac-
ton to draw a house. Hitherto, the necessary
imperfecdon of this department, owing to the
difficulty of gathering together, on short no.
tice, competent band of musicians, has
proved great drawback. This is now re-
moved. Then, what a cohort of song, Picco-
lomini, POnsot LabOrde, Formes, Florenza-
a bundle Of stars gathered into one constella-
ton. In New York each of these artists has
been able to draw by their individual attrac-
ton large houses for many nights. Here we
are to have an opportunity of seeing them
clustered on one stem. We have little doubt
that the spirit and enterprise displayed will
ind its full reward here as in New York Ros