Of Mr. Julian, our candidate for the Vice-Presidency, ["_Hear! hear!_"] let me say simply, that, in ability and devotion to our principles, he is a worthy compeer of Mr. Hale. To vote for such men will itself be a pleasure. But it will be doubly so, when we reflect that in this way we do something to accomplish a noble work, with which the happiness, welfare, and fame of our country are indissolubly connected. [_Repeated and enthusiastic cheers._] With such a cause and such candidates, no man can be disheartened. The tempest may blow,--but ours is a life-boat, not to be harmed by wind or wave. The Genius of Liberty sits at the helm. I hear her voice of cheer, saying, "Whoso sails with me comes to shore!" Mr. Sumner resumed his seat amid heartiest and long-protracted applause. CIVIL SUPERINTENDENTS OF ARMORIES. SPEECH IN THE SENATE, ON THE PROPOSITION TO CHANGE THE SUPERINTENDENTS OF ARMORIES, FEBRUARY 23, 1853. The Army Appropriation Bill being under discussion, Mr. Davis, of Massachusetts, moved the following amendment:-- "That from and after the first day of July next, the Act of Congress approved August 23, 1842, be so modified, that the President may, if in his opinion the public interest demands it, place over any of the armories a superintendent who does not belong to the Army." In the course of the debate, Mr. Sumner spoke as follows. Mr. President,--I do not desire to speak upon the general subject of the manufacture of arms under the authority of the United States, which has been opened in debate by honorable Senators. What I have to say will be on the precise question before the Senate, and nothing else. That question, as I understand it, is on the amendment proposed by my colleague [Mr. DAVIS], according to which the Act of 1842 is to be so far modified, that the President, in his discretion, may place over the armories persons not of the army,--leaving it, therefore, to his judgment whether the superintendent shall be a military man or a civilian. This is all. The Senate is exhorted not to act precipitately. But the character of this proposition excludes all idea of precipitation. We do not determine absolutely that the system shall be changed, but simply that it may be changed in the discretion of the President. This discretion, which will be exercised only after ample inquiry, stands in the way of all precipitation; and this is my answer to the Senator from Illinois [Mr. SHIELDS].