The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-07-30
spIRIr OF THE PRESS.

oil the valley OF the Amazon, with description
OF its productions, setting forth its claims to
the attention of coonists, and predicting its
occupation at no remote period by an intelli-
gent and industrious population. A very high
compliment is paid TO Lieut.. Maury for hav-
ing, by bis jealous. and ingenious researches,
turned the attention of our citizens to the cons
sideration of the advantages dervable from an
extensive commerce in that almost unexplored
portion OF the continent. Another article con-
iains some very just remarks as to the abuses
which have prevailed in the contract system.
and mode OF ecuting the public printing for
the General Government. The writer very
properly complains that m UGH of the work is
not only inrinsically useless, but done in a
most exesrable manner, while few favorite
works have been printed and illustrated in the
most gorgeous and expensive style, when
cheaper editions would have answered all use.
full purposes. He concludes, as everybody
else has long ago done, who is acquainted with
the subject, that most Of the money devoted 10
public printing, goes to reward political hacks,
and that the elegant and costly works. pub
lished by authority, have been serviceable
chiefly as brides to be scattered by public func.
tionaries among the people. Neither party
seems to have any good grounds for attacking
the other, as 10Th have participated in similar
misdoings.
The Wing has for its leader an article head.
ed "Bad Signs" in which Reorganization is
predicted in the Democratic ranks. The wr.
ter thinks that the free soil proclivities of the
President, and his appointment to office Of
free soilers and secessionists, while neglecting
the Union democrats, will cause dissolution
of the administration party, He thinks that the
opening of Congress will be the signal for a
general breaking up ofthe party as now con-
stituted. The Wing also quotes COMMUNE
cation signed "Blue Ridge, which appe AIRED in
Thursday mornings Enquirer. The writer
of that communication denounces the views of
the Secretary of War upon "the necessity for
constructing the Pacific Railroad by the means
and money of the Federal Government" and
says, ''if such be the policy OF the administrs
ton upon questions of internal Improvement
| am off," The comment of the Enquirer is,
"We shall have much to say respecting the
subject matter of the communication, before
such a measure is carried into law of the
land. The Wing thereupon predicts that the
Virg inia Democracy will be "of7' before long,
and great dissentions arise in the Democratic
camp.
The Mail has an article, entitled "Party
Adherence" in which Decatur's sentiment
"our country! may she ever be in the right,
but our country, right or wrong"-is quoted
with qualified appreciation but the writer
thinks that if the words ''our party" be substi-
| tuted for sour county," the whole becomes
false and dangerous. He applies the senti-
ments with the hypothetical change mentioned,
to the action of the Democratic party, and
thereupon attacks General Pierce and his ap.
pointments. He thinks that the Southern
Democrats ought to come out boldly, and de-
nounce the administration, for the course of
policy thus far indicated and pursued, indie
tions. There are few other editorials upon
general topics.
The Enquirer has an article headed "A
Party Without Measures to Propose, and
Without Principles to Stand By" The writer
ehartably comedies that the Wing party still
exists, but thinks it broken down and disorgan.
lied, and in doubt what to do, or what mea.
sures to propose. He claims that the N. Y.
Tribune is the organ of the Northera branch Of
The party, with its platform of the Maine Ii
quor Law, Land Reform, Agrarianism, Anti
Renism, Anti Slavery, Wonen's Rights. and
kindred denominations, and that the Northern
Wings have no concert of action with their
brethren at the South, and that therefore the
party is divided, and capable of nothing but Of
finding fault with the measures of the admin
istration, without either the disposition or ca.
pacity of proposing any thing better of their
own. In another article very high, and, we
believe, deserved tribute of praise is given to
Prof. w. B. Rodgers, formerly State Geolo"
gist, and fault found with the Legislature for
not publishing the last volume of his reports.
Virginia gets merited scolding for her want
of liberality and foresight in encouraging such
undertakings.
The Times takes up the communication Of
"Blue RIDGE" published in Thursdays En-
quirer, and makes it the text for some caustic
remarks concerning that paper, and its pledge
to say something more on the subject matter
thereof. 1t also gives the Sou4side Democrat
few hits for its apparent hesitation in denoun.
49,, '~-~ fS-'~J &
War. The balance of the editorials are COM
ments on the news of the day.
The WEST FAMILY.-We published some
time ago from the Washington Republic, no.
tees OF the deaths of Mr.. and Mrs. West
from intemperance and want. They were
represented to have been natives of England,
where they were respectfully connected; and
he stated that he had been educated for the
ministry. They left little daughter who
was placed in the Orphan Asylum of Wash
ington. The story was sad one; and it is
now made the more pitiable by intelligence
from England which leaves no doubt of the
truth of the statements of West. Attorneys
have written for legal evidence Of his death.
CUBA.-It is said that a famous house in
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