Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-11
WASHING TON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

parties in Washington unite in pronouncing the
argument Of Senator Sebastian, of Arkansas, on
the Kansas question-spoken in the Senate
chamber yesterday-a model parliamentary
enort, In Its dignity, perspcacity, research and
force OF reasoning, 1t is by such speeches, the
result, evidently, Of the long and patient labor
and study Of strong mind, that public opinion
In our country, however it may vacillate for the
time being is ultimately brought to safe moor
ings upon all questions of real national import
ance.
Senator Sebastian, to his credit be it said
rarely interfsres in debate except where i'm
perative duty calls This fact gives additional
weight to his words of wisdom and the flood of
substantial historical and legal information
he has brought to bear in favor of the le-
gslity of the Lecompton Constitution. Be-
ing proverbially disinclined to debate in the
chamber when nothing is to be attained by
debating, he devotes himself with unfagging
industry to the transaction of the real business
OF the body, and thus, though among its most
unassuming members, exercises an influence
over their legislation as valuable to the inter-
ssts OF the State he represents as honorable to
himself
A STAB IN THE BACK.-A Washington paper
yesterday contained an insidious attack upon
the Secretary of War in the shape of a nomi-
nal defence of that distinguished gentleman.
1t alleges that the Republican party press have
combined to charge numerous Galphinisms on
the War Department, enumerates the Fort
Smelling SANDER, the Willett's Point SANDER,
and adds another to the list, concerning the
purchase Of a lot in New Bedford, Mass on
the allegation of an unknown correspondent
OF the New York Ersntng Post. The
Washington journal in question alleges that
these slanderers concentrate all their enmity
against this one Department and concludes
with the expression of the belief that when all
the facts are laid before the public the reputa-
ton Of the Secretary of War will not be mate
rally damaged
The reader, with half an ounce of brains,
will perceive that this nominal defence covers
an insidious attack, so worded as to avoid due
responsibility for it to the public. Now, the
truth IL, the reputation of the only person dam
aged by the Fort Smelling case investigation is
that Of the mover for the committee to that
end-Mr. Robert Smith, of Illinois-the per-
sistent, but of late disappointed, Spectator in
the Fort Smelling reserve and the lobby MEM
Der procuring the enactment of the pre-emp-
ton law, by and through the operation of which
the Government was virtually defrauded out
Of at least nine-tenths of the value of the por-
ton Of it (that reserve) first disposed Of of
much Of which he became possessed-the rep
utatiOn, We repeat, Of Mr.. Robert Smith, of
Illinois, now member of the House, and the
political ally Of the newspaper thus covertly
assailing the Secretary of War
As for the Willett's Point allegation, which
Is based on naught but speculation of the
wonder-moDgering press, as little testimony
involving the integrity Of any one has been
ELECTED In the course Of the investigation on
that subject as in the Fort Smelling case against
those assailed in that connection by the oppo-
sition press
In the case borrowed yesterday by the
pretended Washington newspaper friend of the
Secretary Of War, the authority is that only of
IN unknown le,ter-writer for a Republican
party Journal; an individual who has so far
rarely appeared in print without making some
baseless charge or other against some member
of the Cabinet, or some other prominent Demo
crat. The Secretary Of War, though assailed
by Ebelous charges utterly destitute of foun.
dalton, such as il is now all the fashion I'VE
regret to be compelled in truth to say to aIlepe
against the public men of all parties-has
really been the target at which perhap. fewer
oil them have been aimed, than any other gen
tieman occupying 80 prominent a position in
American public affairs.
But he may not expect to escape covert at
tacks from those who fight politically in the
ranks of Senator Douglas That distinguished
gentleman set the example in bis recent abor-
tive attack upon the reputation Of his towns
man, Isaac Cook Esq, in secret session Of the
Senate Of the United States What his labors
after the same fashion were worth in damaging
the reputation Of an honest and honorable man,
may be duly appreciated from the fact of Mr..
COOK triumphant confirmation by the peers of
MS assallant In these times il is not wonder
iul tnat his example is thus followed, however
wonderful 1t would be were such a feeble par
COY upon his effort to injure the reputation os
any gentleman IN public life, to accomplish its
AIM Weare not among those who believe that
the political fortunes of those who have All
sqHatniated from the Democratic p.rty can l..
retrieved by any such warfare
OUR PCELIc ScBoOLs.-Subjoined the reader
will find a report made yesterday by ,bs, 40
valuable friend of the District Of Columbia
Senator A. @ Brown, Of Mississippi upon the
subject Of our school system, accompanied by a
bill designed to place it on proper footing
Governor Brown, in the discharge Of his duties
n chairman Of the Senate Committee on the
District Of Columbia, has fairly entitled him
self to the abiding gratitude of all our fellow
citizens. In the practical and Ito the District)
profitable interest he has steadily evinced in
the school system Of bis peculiar charge uhe
District oil Coiumbia) he has nobly proved that
be has not been spoiled by the extraordinary
success that has attended his career through
life. Originally a friendless boy, with no adj
vantsges whatever, by dint of his excellent
sense, energy, integrity, talents and character
be attained the position Of q Governor Of a