The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-02-04
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

The Enquirer awaits with anxiety some demon
stration from the Whigs of the South in regard TO
the Nebraska bill. 1t argues from antecedents and
from some expressions of the Whig papers, that if
they supportit at all it viii he with the reluctance
and languor of secret hostility. 1t does not wish,
however, to make party issue of this Nebraska
question, but would rejoice to see the South pre-
sent an unbroken front in defence ofits rights.
The Vhig notices the seizure of New Caledonia,
in the South Seas, by the French governmen.-an
island, which, although of English discovery, the
French found waif on the ocean, and appropriated
it to themselves. Some quarrel or perhaps some
diplomacy between the two governments, win most
likely grow out of it. In these days of annexation
and colonization and enterprise, it was hardly to
be expected that Napoleon III. should not desire
to gather some 6f the fruits which falling pro-
.usely into the laps Of ether nations. The Whig
then proceeds in some eloquent remarks on the
march Of civilization It is true it says that in the
march of the triumphal car of civilization, we be-
hold some fthe nations OF the earth crushed under
its wheels. The Asiatic Indian and the American
Indian have suffered te,ribIy-perhaps may be ex-
tinguished. No doubt cruelties and wrongs have
been practsed. But Providence uses lis own means
to accomplish its own ends, and out of evil ever
finally extracts a harvest of good. Wrongs and in
uries and crimes are at last but the blind servants
and unconscious ministers that wait on truth and
right and virtue.
The Examiner notices, in its leading article, the
numerous rumors which reach us from Washing
ton 1t has been rumored that Mr. Cutting and
other National Democrats in the lower House OF
Congress, will bolt upon the Nebraska question in
retaliation upon the South for its desertion of their
cause. This the Examiner believes to be mistake
that ali the National Democrats (save Wallbrdge)
win support the bill; while all the "Softsn Except
Westbrook and it is supposed probably some one
other besides viii 'spt upon the bill, as they did
originally upon the compromise of 1880 and as
they have SO often done, upon the just demands of
the South. Tie President will endeavor to bring
them over but without avail. The Examiner pre-
diets that the bill will pass the Senate but has pain
fll fears that il will not pass the House, and con.
cludes as follows:
much, nay, almost everything, depends upon
the uuanimity of the South in this grave crisis
Let show quarter to backwardness hesitation
among our own people, upon this question. Let
hang, draw and quarter without judge or jury, the
Southern traitor that skulks now. Let US recognize
true friends at the North, of whatever party of
classification embrace them cordially aud treat their
enemies as our enemies"
The Penny Past, after commenting on some of
the leading features Of the late news from Europe,
proceeds to notice the meeting at the Tabernacle
in New York. which it characterizes very Justly as
an abolition meeting. 1t ners from the nature of
events that the whole Northern and Western free
States are becoming abolitionists, if indeed, they
are not so at present and the time has arrived
when the South must look TO herself alone for &C.
curly.
The Mail devotes leader to John Van Buren,
briefly sketches his career-and saws he perhaps
comes nearer to uniting in one person the various
characters of the clown, the wit, the scholar, the
demagogue and the statesman, than anv one
known in political circles He is just the man to
lead the Freesoi party. Seward cannot compete
with him. Seward wishes to convince the public
that he is sincere whether he is so or not, while
Prince John appears to be perfectly Indifferent to
his reputation on that score He appears to pursue
politics for the fun of the thng--is ready to take
any side Of subject that will afford him either
amusement or protit-and the Mail is very curious
to snow how he will ''come out'' on the Nebraska
BILL