Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-09

his choice would ultimately fall upon the Hon.
l.. o. b. Branch, Of North Carolina, who, as n
man of excellent sense, business capacity, and
statesmanlike attainments, ranked second to no
other member of the Democratic party in the
last House of Representatives. There are so
many questions entering into n selection for
such a position as that, mt almost every step Of
their investigation they present new elements
varying conclusions in the premises
p. S.-Ex-Postmastcr General Campbell ar
rived here on the night before last, and is at
the residence of his friend, DR.. Wheean, Of the
Navy. The President is understood to have
sought his advice with reference to the affairs
of the Department, concerning which no gen
tleman can be so well qualified to give advice,
valuable just at this time.
THE WArRoUs CAsE.-Now that the Thirty
fifth Congress has terminated and dissolved, it
is just and natural to make retrospect of some
of the most important. matters that engaged its
consideration, and at the time, evoked the at
tentiOn of the country.
Certainly but few of the matters can be
esteemed more important than the proceedings
towards the impeachment of Judge Watrous, Of
Texas, which involved questions of the most
vital interest and presidents of the highest
public Importance in the history of the Gov
eminent. Again, we recur to this subject to
show clearly and determinately the position it
has occupied before Congress.
1t will be recOlected that this case came be-
fore Congress attended by circumstances of the
most imposing and identifying kind The voice
of a sovereign State was raised in the petition
for Justice. And the accused Judge stood be-
fore Congress with the judgment of his guilt
already determined by the deliberate verdict
of more than one preliminary investigation, SO
far As they could determine it. 1t is to be OBJ
served that Of two investigating committees of
Congress but four members, in all, were found
to dissent from the clear and absolute conclu-
sion of the guilt of the accused Judge of high
crime and misdcmeanors, calling for impeach-
mont.
| Again. when Gen. Houston, Of Texas. deliv-
cred the remarkable speech in the Senate,
proclaiming the monstrous and multifarious
malfeaSance of the Judge, he showed the letter
of the testimony for all he asserted and held
that he had established TO the satisfaction of
the country that the proofs in the case were
complete, and demanded ;tice. lie said
/ with respect to the malfeasance of the Judge
| in the cases Of Mussina and Spencer. have been
governed in my statements by the letter of the tes-
timony. taken by the House committee in the in
stigaton of his conduct. have followed this
testimony strictly, believe, and with no other
anxiety than that Of arriving at those legitimate
conclusions of fact, which it inevitably leads to
\ and warrants"
! This remarkable speech was made month
before the session closed. Never was an expo
sure of facts more signal than that made i'm the
honorable Senator's speech; never, perhaps,
was given from the halls of Congress a more
startling recital of deeds. And yet, mark you,
/ reader, not one of tho Congressional defenders
If or apOlogists for Judge Watrous referred to
who had dissentcd from the judgment of his
guilt and who had extravagantIy proclaimed
bis innocence, ycnturcd to say that the state
ment of Senator Houston, proclaimed to the
country, had not sufficient evidence to sustain
and warrant them,
! They have rested under the denunciations of
this speech Of Senator Houston in silence,
! The speech of Senator Houston has placed the
whole case of Judge Watrous in a new and
| striking position. And it may especially serve
to Indicate the inconsistency of Democratic
members Of Congress who, though pretentious
and clamorous as States rights men, in this
clse sighted the earnest petition of sovereign
state, and protected even from trial, Federal
officer whom the State has repeatedly accused,
repudiatcd, and branded as a tyrant
! This clear and comprehensive speech of the
distinguished Senator we have determined. not
outstanding its extreme length, to lay before
the Stars readers rs opportunity may occur
We shall reproduce ii for our readers as a part
Of the history of the country; and because we
believe it n compendium of some of the most
startling events that have marked our national
/ annals
In conclusion, one reflection forces itself upon
us. 1t is to be observed that the entire press
of the State of Texas, with the exception of a
single sheet, have united in condemning JUDGE
Watrous, and in exclaiming against his escape
from justice, for this time, through the meshes
of Congressional legislation. This unanimity
certainly furnishes one Of the most remarkable
circumstances Of the Watrous ease. The re-
Election fcrcible occurs-how terrible must have
been the misdeeds Of this man thus to evoke
against himself the united voice of the people
oil state OF every party, interest and COM
piexion and, on the other hand, we are brought
to consider what powerful influences must have
been employed to drown the voice of an ont.
ragged people, and in disregard of all tho inter.
ests of public justice, States rights, and un.
doubted expediency, to deny them oven n
hearing before the bar of the United States
Senate, and to pass. over their case without
judgment and without trial from the Congress
Of the country.
The CHIEF JUsrICEsHIP OF KANsAs-Cir-
cumstances within our knowledge lead us to
the conclusion that the Hon. John Petit, of
Indiana, is to be the new Chief Justice of the
Territory Of Kansas. Judge Petit served some
years in the House Of Representatives of the
United States, and was subsequently in the
United States Senate. Since then, he has been
omted States Judge in Minnesota Territory
"heh In the House, his so evident legal attain
ments and abilities caused him I'm he nInced nj