Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-04-05
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Notable Epeeches.-The speech delivered
yesterday, by Mr.. Clingman, in favor Of the
Nebraska bill as urged by its Immediate
friends, il the subject Of much conversation in
political circles 1t was precisely up to the
mark of the views of those known as the god
fathers of the bill, from North and South. We
need hardly say that it was marked by evil
dences of careful and most commendable study;
as Mr.. c. rarely rises to make set speech, until
he has enabled himself to shed light, decided
ly, on his subject in hand. In few words, he
was for the bill, including the Badger amend
ment, and against the Clayton amendment.
Much Of his really powerful effort may be
| characterized as a justification of his own
course in Congress, in, by degrees of late years,
dissolving his political connection with the
Northern Wing party. He thus argued with
great ingenuity and telling effect, to show
that the latter have, since l848, made abo-
litionism the god of their worship; getting,
step by step, deeper into the mire, until, as he
alleges, he finds them, just now, sunk in it,
chin deep. Such, we may sum up, is his rea-
son for entirely ceasing to act with them. As
his argument on this head is destined to be
reprinted by every Southern Democratic news
paper, and to furnish the ammunition for
thousands of stump speeches, in the South,
more especially, it will, of course, be answered
by some Southern gentleman, who, not seeing
the conduct of the Northern Wing party in the
| ,.,n l:cbt oorf;ruoo his roI;f;ool oopnoo<;o~
with that dominant wing of their great or
ganization. .'l'-s "
! Mr. C. has been more than ten years in Con-
/ gress, though not more than some IS or 81
years of age. He does not look so old, (being
youthful in his legislative address,) owing to
his remarkable fuency, which does not by
the-by, descend into verbosity. He is one of
the most effective debaters in the Hall, not
only in the delivery of carefully prepared
speeches for the record, but in the legislative
skirmishes so often occurring there. His
adroitness in such scenes is proverbial-no one
ever gets the better Of him in any such en-
counter Of wits, as are all impromptu scenes of
CROSS questioning debate in the chamber, du-
ring moments of general excitement and in
terest.
Mr.. Wright, Of Pa, also made q very able
speech in favor of the bill, wherein he held
positions which delighted the ultra States
rights members of the body, more especially.
Mr.. Matteson, of New York, who is credited
in the Hall with being the premonitory OF
Senator Seward, as it were, made speech
against the bill, which is destined to be read
at tho North with great effect for the.cause Of
his views. He strikes with sledge hammer
though making few oratorial prstensions. His
speech will probably be the target at which a
dozen will be aimed, in reply.
These three efforts were all of an order tc
greatly interest the reading public, and their
authors evidently aimed to address themselves
directly to the popular understanding. The
debate was legitimate. We are emphatically
in favor of discussion of thequestions involved
in this and all other national bills just SO long
as members will continue to shed real ligh
upon them.
The Proposed New Naval Bureau.
many naval readers and subscribers at dis
lance, will doubtless be interested in knowing
that among the changes in the service pro
posed to be effected at this session of Congress
is one placing the business If ordering the of
, ficers, and the equipment of the vessels of tn,
service, in the charge of new bureau, to b,
known as that of &c Orders and Equipments
While the proposition has many friends amonl
perions interested in the service who are here
it has also not few opponents, many Of whom
conceive that the project is most favored b,
officers who would like amazingly to be at it
head. For many years past, the business o
detailing the officers of the service has beer
virtually under the management of L. B. Har
!, din Esq, who has become, to the service a
least, the impersonation of that branch of tn
departments duties. That is, he has hat
charge Of the details to service, made
Of course, under the supervision and genera
, direction of the Secretary for the time being
We may add for Mr.. Hardin, that he has dis
charged the delicate, responsible, and realI,
difficult task thus assigned to him, with ain %
unexampled success; obtaining for himself lh
entire confidence of all in the Navy, the pos
session Of whose confidence and esteem is
credit to gentleman in his position. He i
famed for knowing the history professionally o
every officer who has been five years in tn
Navy, Of whatever grade, and also his capabil
tiles, and his deserts. And, further, for deal
ing with them all, without the slightest depart
ure from the strict line of justice, as between
them, in their riyalries, &c. The fact that b,
possesses the entire confidence of the service
and has such enlarged experience in this mos
delicate branch Of the departments duties
suggest him, forcibly, for the head Of the new
bureau. Yet, if the equipment branch of tn,
functions Of the Equipment, CONSTRUCTION
and Repairs" bureau be taken from it, to bt
joined to the Orders department, We presum.
that according to the prevailing custom, a Navy
officer is to be placed at its head. However
it is to be hoped that the House and .Senats
Committees on Naval Affairs will be caution.
in their recommendations in this and othe
connections SO % not to grind the axes of an,
particular solicitous. gentleman, least the,
justly give dissatisfaction to those not fortu
nate enough to be able to do duty just nov
around the Hobbies of the capitol OF al
| IL, ~ ~