The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-05-12
SPIRIT OF THE pREss

on the establishment of Book Concerr rL..
valence OF an active and jealous southern .,,r;,
among the Ministry OF this powerful christian com,
munity, affords suspicious Indication of the 49,;
ty of southern sentiment. The particular me..,,-.
by which they propose to give practical efac, -
their patriotic zeal, commends itself to our own
judgement by its propriety and efficiency The
Enquirer then urges In forcible terms the introduc
tion of books especially school books and works
of religious instruction-which are free from the
poison of abolition; and regards the movement of
the Methodiss as favorable indication We quote
from the editorial under consideration the follow
ing suggestion:
A few Southern teachers having at heart the in.
terests OF the South have proposed convention of
the members of their profession in Virginia with a
view to the selection and publication of books pro-
per for Southern schools. The enterprise is Iauda-
bic, and we do not see why energetic Southern men
may not carry it out
The Mail has a leader upon the policy of Russia
in the contest now going on in Europe, which it
conceves will be to act, as far possible on the
defensive. 1t is mistake to suppose, says the
Mail, that Nicholas is either weak, inefficient or
alarmed. Nicholas is longheaded man, as many
who now predict his speedily defeat, will abundant
y discover before the curtain falls upon the drama
iiO" just COuiifltHCeu III EUROPE.
The Penny Post again alludes to the Ward trial.
Much as it has regretted the acquttal of Ward and
the defeat of justice, it regrets still the violent
demonstrations of excited populace against the
verdict of the jury. The Post is fearful of the
frightful consequences that must, and will follow
n the train of mobocratc excitement, of the num-
berless and mighty evils that will be showered upon
our courts and our jures by precedent of Of this
kind. Another evil occasioned by this Ward ex-
element is the imparing of the untrammelled pri-
vieges of counsel and the destruction of their lib
erty of speech in defence OF their clients Isit re-
publican that counsels and juries, and judges
should, as well as members of Congress, reflect
every whim and caprice, every tickle prejudice
and ieeting Partially, that may be at the moment
uppermost in the community
THE FAIRY GUARD.-In another part OF this pa
per allusion is made to the formidable hoax perpe
trated in New York few days ago. We perceive
that Barnum has come out in card exonerating
himself from any intention to humbug the people
in reference to the Fairy Guards, as he with his
manager and ticketseller never doubted for mo-
ment every representation upon the subject, until
last evening, when suspicion first obtruded ITSELF
He says he has no idea whatever as to who can be
the author of this silly fabrication.
We also see it stated that the person who origina-
ted the hoax engaged the services of Horace Gree
ley to deliver an address on the occasion of the vi
sit to Barnums museum. Whoever the author OF
the "silly fabrication might have been he was GER
tainly smart enough to humbug some people who
have been considered tolerably clever that bust
ness heretofore.
The court martial for the trial of DIR. Steiner,
charged with killing his superior officer, convened
in Austin, Texas, ON the 18th ult., and adjourned
until the 21st, in consequence ofthe absence of the
accused The State Times of the 22d says:
"a military despatch was sent for Steiner, but
up to the time oputting this pepper to press be had
not made his appearance. We are not advised
what course the court will pursue in consequence
of his absence 1t is said that listener is acquitted
of murder by the civil court where his is also
pending he will be tried for the same offence, as
well as for dsobedience of ORDERS before the court
martial which is acting under Instructions to that
eral Cushing. Slidell McKensie, who hung young
Spencer, was tried before the civil court and sub.
seauenty before court-martial."
ANEW INSTRUMENT OF WARFARE-The Wash.
ington correspondent of the New York Express,
under date of May 8, says:
Several army officers were this morning engaged
at the arsenal in testing the qualities of newly in
vented rife, or more properly speaking, rifle can
non submitted to government for examination and
approval.
The instrument in question is very similar to the
common rifle, having the same sights, the tele-
scope and grooved barrel, the only difference that
we could discover being that one ia destitute of a
stock, is upon wheels and 80 arranged that by
means of machinery it can be elevated depressed
or rotated at pleasure, while the motions OF the
other are regulated by hand.
The barrel is about three feet in length, weighs
eighty pounds, and carries one inch ball. weighing
FIVE ounces and also an explosive ball. which dis.
charges it's contents the instant it strikes any OBJ
iect This rifle was tried at target. eight hundred
and eighty yards distant, about halt mile, and with
great accuracy, nearly every shot taking effect SO
far we learn it has given general satisfaction,
though the report to the ordinance department in
regard to it has not been made known.
The instrument was invented by Mr. Gilbert
Smith, of New York.
SHOCKING DEATH-Miss Mary collars visited
the drug store of DIR. Artar, in Carrollton, Ohio,
on the Cd inst, and going behind the counter, COM
menced in playful manner to examine the vari-
Gus drugs by tasting or smelling She finally took
down a vial containing powdered strychnine and
touched particle of the deadly poison with her
tongue. The taste being disagreeable, she imme-
diately spit it out But too late the subtle poison
had made cure work In few minutes she COM
planned of a nausea and dizziness, and was soon
thrown into spasms, which ended in death in a
quarter of an hour. This la terrible warning to
incautious curiosity into the nature OF subtle sub
stances to be found on the shelves of Doctors and
druggists
EXECUTION OF ROBERT SCoTT AT PLAcERvILLE.
Robert Scott convicted of the murder OF Andrew
King, on the 18th day of February, before Judge
Howell, was hung at II o'clock M. on 9TH Aprli,
according to the sentence passed on him. Early 10
the morning citizens commenced hocking into the
town. from all parts OF the country eager TO see tne
horrible sight of fellow being hurried into eterni
| ty At IL O'Clock there were not less than 1000
men lining the streets and the ground around the
scafold every one, are glad to notice, was or
| derly and peaceable.
During his course to the gallows, Scott appeared
| perfectly cool and unmoved; not change was per-
ceptible his He sat on the front seat
of the wagon smoking segar, apparently an uncon'
scious locker on of the dreadful about to be
transacted. immediately behind him sat the sheTif'
and several of his deputies Upon arriving at the GAL
lows, the prisoner mounted the steps with flrm and
steady step, accompanied by the sheriff The cIowd
| around the galows now very dense, ana nun,
dreds arriving all the time from town to swell
| the numbers but were kept in order BY the eaaIu
who accompanied the prisoner. The sheriff then s
read the order of Court for execution Auer thS e
Il a. .ta mak