Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-13
WASHINGTON NEWS AND eossTp.


the Nebraska bill. Indeed, we see no stronger
evidence Of the real strength of the measure,
than is apparent in the tone of the paper in
question upon it. We have time and again
called public attention to the vchemence of its
abuse Of all who take a leading part in favor
Of the bill. Indeed, we have rarely seen or
heard epfthefs so lavishly bestowed, as by the
Tribune on this occasion. 1t denounces the
people of the South as ssseoundrels .vlIains.
robbers, cut-throats,'' &c.-in so many
words, inelu1ing the southern Wings, one and
all, and bestows upon the northern friends of
the measure, even more .contumely. In this
work the editors resort to gross misrepresenta-
ton of the views of Henry Clay in this connec-
ton. saying: YAH 1915
Never, in the presence of Henry Clay
would Mr.. Douglas have dared to breach his
| infamous project for the reputation of a
| national compact, after one of the parties had
received and enjoyed the consideration on
which that compact was based. The very
| suggestion of such a fraud would have drawn
from that gallant and imperious spirit such a
burst of indignation as would have convinced
every knave with the sound of his voice and
the CLEAN of his eye, that honesty was the best
policy"
Now, 1t is well known to many persons at
this time in Washington, that while the Com
promise of 1850 was under consideration,
Henry Clay was accustomed to talk freely of
the utter incompatibillity of the Compromise
of 1920 with it, and to express his qualification
at the fact that its enactment would restore to
the policy of the Government upon the slavery
question, violated, and, indeed, ignored in the
Missouri act, which he regarded as unjust, if
not unconstitutional, and only to be tolerated
as the sole alternative for preventing dissolu-
ton of the Union at the time of its enactment
In one of his speeches in favor of the law of
1850, he distinctly held positions synonymous
with what we present above as his views of the
law of 1920, as expressed thus in private con-
vcrsation among his friends.
Unfulflled Contracts with the Government.
1t has been decided in case arising under a
contract with the Government, that no claim
can be paid for an alleged breach of contract
on the part of the Government to accept goods
contracted for, when it appeared that the party
claiming was not at any time possessed of the
goods, and did not at any time have them ready
to be delivered in fulfilmeRt of the contract on
his part, unless, perhaps, some re- endorsement
of expenses, when he has incurred them in
making preparation for such delivery. An
offer to fulfil, when it is known that he had not
the means of performance, is no fulfilment of
the contract on the part of the contractor. even
though the offer DO refused by the Government
The Van Buren, and Clemens Correspond
ence, continues to amuse folks in Washington.
inasmuch as it is attempted by parties pro-
Tossing devotion to the Nebraska bill, but
really hostile to its enactment, because MQt
must strengthen the present Administration,
which they hate to give it an Importance to
| which it is by no means fairly entitled. Thus,
the New York Herald, announcing ex-Sena-
tor Clemens as sort of premonitOry of the
President, pretends to draw from his opposition
to the bill, the conclusion that that functionar
is ,cretly hostile to it.
The Herala'S representation concerning the
| relations of Mr.. G. to the Administration are
shamelessly false. The immediate friends and
associates of that gentleman, and more espe-
cially those with whom he has political afIini
ties at this time, are among the most unreent-
ing (nominaD Democratic opponents of President
Pierce. He is counsel for more than one party
lin their affairs in connection with the Govern
| ment) who are believed to be anything but en-
friendly terms with the Executive, because, as
all here know, he hesitates not to throw his
influence against the granting of what they
ask from Congress. We repeat, his present
affiliations are such as to preclude-utterly
preclude the idea that the HcraM is correct in
its pretence that he shares the Presidents per-
sonal confidence upon affairs of State So,
also, are the Herald and Mr.. John Van Buren,
wrong in the idea that he (Mr Clemens) can
legitimately speak for the South. We need
only refer to the fact, that Mr. Clemens alone,
of all the South, in or out of Congress, has so
far taken ground against the bill. Now, it
was but yesterday, as it were, that he was
beaten for reelection to the Senate. Put this
fact with his isolation on the Nebraska bill
question, and then answer what right the pre-
tended friends, but secret enemies Of the mea-
sure, have to credit him with representing
Southern sentiment at this time? Indeed,
however much all in Washington may esteem
Ex-senator Clemens personally, no one here is
50 stupid as not to realize that. as Southern
man, he stands entirely by himself upon this
question-opposcd to the whole South-with-
out distinction of party. We make these
remarks, only in vindication Of the truth of
current political history. ......
Defects in Official Bonds.-An official bond
Was presented for acceptance at the Treasury
Department recently, in which witnesses had
bc,n accidentally omitted, and the Office was
not described. 1t was, therefore, held that
the omission of witnesses did not render it so
informal as to invalidate it, IF the hand
writing of the obligor can be proved. the bond
is as valid without witnesses as it would be
with them; but the oni sion to describe tb
office in the condition Of Il bond, is fatal
defect
The Herald last Roorh ck.-Thc story, by
ttlegraph from this city, that Mr.. Houston of
Alabama designs resigning his position as
chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means on account Of the defeat of the def
cheney bill is false The writer bases his silly
tale cnthe notion that the position held by Mr..