Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-28
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

IN AMERICAN POLITICS.-Some Vi ING oPPosi-
ton newspapers and here and there disap-
pointed plumber -mongering nominal Demo
cratic journal, continue to harp upon the recent
trial trip of the new land frst) steam revenue
cutter. Harriet Lane, as a matter involving a
shocking outrage upon the sim plicity and purity
of our institutions and on the public treasury,
&c, &c. There never was more arrant hum
busgery and demagogism than the utterance Of
such nonsense, which, up to this time, we have
not noticed at length only in the belief that, in
very shame, those indulging in it, would soon
see fit to cease insulting the public understand
ing after that fashion. 1t seems, however, that
we are mistaken in that charitable opinion of
their sense Of self respect. Some of them con-
tinue to publish and republish erroneous ac-
counts of the affair, for political effect.
We may therefore not appropriately say
even at this late time, that the vessel was
brOu ght to this point on her trial trip, which,
of necessity, had to occupy some considerable
time, and to be made over some distance suit
able for testing her capacity to render the par
ticular services required of her. She was
ordered here by the Collector of New York to
afford the officers of the Treasury Department
an opportunity of seeing for themselves, how
their plans and views were carried out in her
construction. While here, they determined to
test for themselves how she was likely to answer
the requirements of the service, concerning all
the details of which no other knows as we'll as
their experience in the management of all the
details of the revenue-cutter service enables
them to know. AS there was sufficient room on
board to accommodate few Others the lady
after whom the vessel had been named and a
few of her friends were invited to participate
in her brief experimental cruise in the waters
OF the Chesapeake; and as is almost always the
custom in testing the capacities of new Gov
eminent vessel, some Of the Governments
musicians stationed at hand were carried along,
by way of enlivening the trip.
We doubt whether the company on board of
her on this occasion cost the Government
single dollar more than if the trip had been
made by grim and crusty officials only, whose
presence on the occasion was necessary-a
single dollar Take it all IN all, a more plea
yune system of avOwed or unavow ed opposition.
than that manifested by some Of our exchanges
now reaching us by mail, concerning the recent
trial trip OF the Harriet Lane, never disgraced
the dirty annals of the meanest and dirtiest
politics OF any times, in this country at least
An INTELLIGENT SOLUTION OF THE Diff
CULTY.-We commend to the Star S readers the
following intelligent suggestions of the JourRat
Of Commerce with reference to the great indus
trial problem of the times, as apparently EN-
braclng more common sense than any others of
the thousands that meet our eye in reading our
exchanges from all quarters of the country:
CONNECTING THE Two CONTINENTS If the
European and American continents are ever
united by an available and permanent telegraph
line, we are inclined TO think it WILL pass by way
OF Northern Asia, crossing at Behring's Straits
which are only 80 miles wide in latitude 65 10 TT,
where the weather is not colder, probably on an
average than in latitude 5U the eastern side OF
The American continent. A telegraph on this
route Is entirely practicable, and free from any
very formidable difficulties except the expense
and that can easily be provided for blythe wealthy
nations through whose dOminiOns il will run
without reference To connection of the two con-
nncnt>. the Unlted States will very soon have A
line of telegraph 10 the Pacific coast and ther. is
already line in operation from England TO st
Petersburg. will only remain for Russia Great
Britain and the United States, by a Joint conven-
tlon, To provide for the construction OF the line
from -. Petersburg to Oregon or as the case
now stands, from ~. Petersburg to Missouri
Omitted States The wire will be a long one,
NeP.uEe's leave and every foot of il will be
within the dominions Of Russia, Great Britain
or the United States each of which nations will
be able to protect and operate the line within its
own limits.
The experiments already mad with the Ocean
line, reveal the immense difficulty, if not the
utter lmPossibility, Of constructing, keeping in
order, and operating such line. The proposed
Tonte by way OF the Farce Isles, Iceland, Green
land, Labrador, &c, although il would avoid
some OF the most formidable difficulties con-
no ri IFanf II
fear, encounter others scarcely less fatal in prac-
tce- The intense cold, the barriers Of ice of
Immense thickness, resting sometimes upon the.
ground, and then perchance floating Off wire
and all, and other troubles resulting from the
extreme high attitudes through which the route
would pass, are very serious objections TO il, to
say the least. All these objections will he either
entirely obviated or greatly diminishe by taking
the Behring's Straits route, which, though
longer, Is on the whole, more available.-the
wire would be more easily protected, repaired
ana operated, and would have the further ad-
vantage Of not only connecting us with Europc
but also with Northern Asia; and from Northern
Asia branches might BE- run, connecting us, as
well as Europe, with India, China &c The
territory along the whole line is habitab., Clus
teTs OF population would soon be gathered around
the eie@ aphlc stations, even In the coolest and
most drsoiate portions of the route. break
would be promptly discovered, and easily re-
paired whereas, at the bottom Of the ocean it
would be attended with difficulty, DELAY. and
heavy expense Let England, Russia and the
NNoNSo SOY "OI u, anu the wOIk Will
be done.
IHE PACIFIC NEws.-Our budget of Oregon
and California papers contain but little news.
There are further difficulties anticipated with
the Indians in Washington Territory, and it is
said that in the region of the Upper Columbia
river and Frazer river the various tribes are
collecting in large numbers What their object
Is, remains unknown; but the apprehensions
are that general massacre of the white settlers
and miners in that vicinity is contemplated.
The American emigrants to the Frazer-riyer
valley are said to be bitter against the attempt
Of Gov. Douglas, as factor of the Hudson Bov
Company, to impose tax on them for residence
and to monopolize the commerce with them
what the result may be, remains to be seen
out the more reasonable among the settlers are
using every effort to maintain the peace.
Mr.. '" ii. Frazer, who lately went to the
Frazer river mines, by way of the Okinakane