The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-12-01
THE DAILY DISPATCH,
FRIDAY MoRNINo, pEcEMBER j. IA.
Tue WEEKLY DISPATCH


THE WEEKLY DISPATCH
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CoscRgss--The approaching session oil
Congress is expected to be OF unusuai inter
est. The delicate state OF our relations with
Snain. and. through her, with France and
England, impose upon the representatives of
the people duties of great responsibility and
delicacy. We wish that we could hope from
that body any action worthy the dignity and
power of great people. But the experience
of the past warns US against the indulgence
of such idle antieipations. Sectional. party,
and personal contests we may expectin album
dance, but common contest for the welfare
and honor Of the country, is thing not to be
imagined.
What q noble and refreshing spectacle
would be congressional session OF deeds,
and not of words; of labors for the public
good, instead of vapid defamation and dis
graceful strife. How the world would be
electrified and delighted if the Congress of
the United States would exhibit, at this most
critical moment in our foreign relations, a
wise and comprehensive patriotism; and,
while animated by the wise counsel of the
Governor of South Carolina, u, his recent
message, that " our government should pur-
sue sound and discreet foreign policy, and
avoid the appearance Of grasping at any por-
ton of foreign territory would, at the same
time, so strengthen the naval arm OF the
country as to compel foreign governments TO
respect our rights and honor. The tremen-
dous war now raging in the East, and which
must in the end involve all Europe, and our
difficulties with Spain in regard to Cuba, warn
the representatives of the people to place
the country in such an attitude as will either
insure respect from foreign governments, or
successfully resist aggression should it be af
tempted Fifty millions expended upon the
navy and army would be true economy, for,
in all probability, it would avert war in
which our commerce and seaboard would
lose hundreds of millions. Our government
should also give its immediate attention to
the introduction of all the improved methods
and instruments of modern warfare, as exhi
bited in the Eastern war. The number of
steam propellers in the navy should be great
ly increased; the Minnie rife and the Lam
caster gun, introduced into the land service.
The Congress fthe United States, in word,
should prepare the country for the very pos
sible event of war.
Instead of this, instead of great nationa,
spirit, capable of compromising the dignity,
honor, duty and interests of a great nation,
we shall see astarrayed against West. North
ag ainst South, miserable out cries about eco
Monty, and the danger to be feared from
large navy and army. Instead of manly and
efficient action, we shall have ridiculous and
inaammatory speeches against foreign gov
ernments, which will excite their hostility
while at the same time the country will be
left without the means of encountering the
peril which the bluster of windy demago-
CUES has provoked. Should there be differ
ent result, the country will be agreeably dis
appointed.
JOINT CONVENTION IN LoNDoN.-There is
a Joint Convention now setting in London
for the settlement of claims by citizens of
the United States and Great Britain against
the government of each country respective
ly. 1t is said to be limited in its duration to
the 18th of January next that the term OF
the commission has already been extended
three months; but it is added that the state
of the business before it renders it certain
that further extension of time will be re-
CURED for the proper disposition of the cases
which have been admitted for consideration
under the liberal construction of the act of
Congress creating the tribunal. Four very
important classes of cases, it is stated, have
been presented for action, which are likely
to remain undecided, unless further tirue be
granted. These are:
LIST. Claims by citizens of the United States
for illegal seizures of vessels suspected of
being engaged in the slave trade
I'd. Claims By British subjects for mer-
chandise seized in Mexico by United States
officers during the war. -
Sd. Cases in which illegal duties have been
exacted by either government, but princj
pally by the United States
4th. The Creole case, in which fifty or sixty
negroes having put into the Bermuda in the
schooner Creole, were permitted by the Brit.
ish authorities to Hberate themselves.
1t is also mentioned that the Creole case
has elected considerable discussion, but is
not likely to reach decision.
SEBAsroPoL.-.Three days later intelli-
gence, and Sebastopol has not yet fallen. The
assault that, according to the French intelli
gence by the Baltic, was formally commenc
ed on the 4th inst, has not been commenced
ut AL, and Is not likely to be commenced nm.
til the allies receive powerful reinforce
menfs.
Awell written article in a Northern ;o,r.
nal, evidently from the pen of a military
men, refers to the great axiom of v.,han
which says he has been again and spa;n used
by the Anglo-French to keep public on;n;on
quiet, viz: THAT a siege is an operat;on IS
mathematical certainty and success. NO..