Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-04-13
The Spartans and their Helot,

The Spartan baud of Democrats in this city
have determined to invite their country friends to
meet them in Convention for the purpose of no.
minating candidate for Congress. 1t is pretty
we'll understood, however, that this proposed con-
vention is merely matter of form. graciously
vouchsafed by the urban Democracy, to amuse
and fatter their rural allies. The Spartaus of
Richmond stand in the same relation to the
country Democrats, that their namesakes Of old
occupied towards the Helots of their State. The
Helots, though outnumbering their masters in
the proportion OF ten to one, do all the work.
whilst the Spartans enjoy all the fruits of their
labor. The Democratic strength of this Con-
gressional district lies almost wholly outside the
city. In Richmond Locofocoism has stood at a
heavy discount for the last twenty years. De-
mocracy, progressive everywhere else, has made
no progress here. as appears from the fact that
the Wing majority at the last Presidential cleo
ton was larger than on any previous OCCASION
But Notwithstanding the paucity of their num-
bers, the determined band of Democratic patri-
OTIS whose lot has been cast in this Gibraltar of
Whiggery have contrived to appropriate to them~
selves an inordinate share of public honors and
emolumsnts. And how! Not by the work oftheir
ewn hands, but by making their Helots in the
country work for them. We have recently heard
of some deep mutterings of dissatisfaction at this
course of affairs, which it may be the object of
the proposed district Convention to quiet. There
are many aspiring Democratic champions in the
district as at present constituted, but they are
sold to the Spartans. They may be tantaized
and amused with the mockery of convex
ton. but they may rest assured that they will be
condemned to wait unttneir betters are served.
Correspondence of she Richmond Times,
WAsHlNGToN, April Il.
Madame Rumor has been exceedingly busy In
Washington for the last few days, in regard t.
changes in til Cabinet and to-day had so cloth
ed her stories with the coorng of probability, as
almost completely to deceive the public mind,
and to lead the most reliable men astray. Sen
ators public officers, telegraphic correspondents
AID cautious newspapers were all certain That
the future was big with events
And now permit me to give an idea of tho
origin OF the rumor, and the circumsta noes which
stamped it with the semblance of truth. There
have been in the city since the inauguration, a
large party from New York opposed to Marcy,
and ready to do anything to his prejudice
Through them rumor aft or rumor has been start
cd of changes in the Cabinet These rumors
have been seized upon by telegraphic correspon,
dents, and in many instances, without being care
fully Investigated, despatched.
Though conrradicted repeatedly, the rumor
still grew, and last night it began to assume
tangible shape. A public officer. 10 conversation
with several Senators, stated that the Cabinst
would certainly break up, and that Marcy would
go out; and gave the changes that would be
made 10 all probability. So reliable did this nfor-
NATION seem that the teegraphic correspondents
did not hesitate to send it off; and the National
Inteligencer, one of the most cautious papers in
the country. contrary to its usual custom. allowed
the rumor to take place in its editorial columns,
and to contain an intination that it had its orr
GIN 10 quarter entitled to credit And 10 can
the climax, about midnight last night the Ser
genital Arms notified the Senators, that the
president had an important communication to