The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-04
RICHM0ND, VA:
SATURDAY MORNING. MARCH 4, 1854.
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

The Penny Post has leader on France, Eng
land and the United States,' commencing with an
ailusion to the recent remark of Lord Clarendon,
which it says, evidently implies determination on
the part the Western Powers, to interfere in the
affairs OF this continent and to prevent far as
they can the farther extension of the limits of this
country. The Post deplores the infatuation which
could have called forth this remark for to the last
degree is it impoltic and unsafe in these Powers
to add another to their already formidable enemies
Ito convert into active hatred the good wishes OF
great and powerful nation. We quote the con-
Guiding paragraph:
1t is time, we seriously think, for Congress to
call forth the immense naval resources at our COM
mand, or at least portion of them. The expense
may be very great, but it may save us from spolia-
non in the beginning, and from war afterwards.
In another article the Post animadverts with se-
verify upon the members of the present Legislature
OF Virginia, characterizing them, as body, by
excessively hard names.
The Examiner devotes a leader to the Diplomatic
Clothes controversy; characterizes the order of Mr.
Marcy as "a silly piece of puritanism," and shows
that by carrying out the wishes of the Secretary,
our Ministers daily subjected to humiliating
Sights and cut off from all social intercourse with
their diplomatic brethren. We observe another
article on the adj ournment of the Legislature. 1t
assumes that no good has been accomplished by
that body, and hence its demise will be source of
not much grief to the people.
The Examiner in another article draws its sword
in defence of the antirazor NOV ement-sees no
reason why we should daily defle our boards, rasp
them away mix them ignominieusly with soap
suds, and cast them off with the sweepings of the
house-and cite asproper examplars the bearded
philosophers of Greece" Does not go in for
tricties, or udicrous excesses in mustace COATES,
nperiats and whiskers; but advocates decent, we'll
trimmed neatly cut articles, such as any gentleman
can wear with impunity.
The Enquirer advocates the bill making an ap.
preparation of 100000 for the completion Of the
haewater connection. Another article calls upon
the Senate to give the finishing blow to the shin
plaster nuisance" Another alludes to evidence
produced by the N. Y. Tribune to show that MIR.
Jefferson objected to the exclusion of slavery from
the State Of Ohio. The Enquirer says:
The evidence consists of the testimony of Cover.
nor Morrow and Governor Worthington. who
state that President Jefferson expressed to them
the opinion that the clause in the constitution of
Ohio prohibiting slavery was inexpedient 1t thus
appears that Jefferson saw reason to abandon the
principle of the ordinance of g. and to modify his
earlier views of the policy of slavery extension
tnis development accords with the opinion which
we have always entertained, that the convictions of
Mr. Jefferson in regard to the justice and policy of
negro slavery underwent, in later life an important
modification.
The Hhig alludes to an article in the London
Times, on subject which is now attracting much
attention IN England to wit the evils to the public
from the appointment to Office of incompetent per-
sons on account of party or personal favoritism-
The present Ministry propose far as possible to
abolish the present system, and constitute merit the
sole test of fitness for Office. Board of examiners
is to be established whose duty it shall be to make
fair and impartial investigation of the qualica-
tions Of the various applicants and award the prize
to the most deserving. The Hhig thinks this exam.
pie might be properly followed by the American
Republc. The reform, however, must come from
the people, who can, if they WILL unite to protect
themselves from horde of officials, who will, un-
less they make the exertion eat them out of house
and home.
The Mail alludes to the denunciation of the LIE.
gislature, so freely INDUCED in by the Press; does
not desire an exclusive privilege of denuncaton it.
SELF nor has it practiced upon any such principle;
its design has been to act justly and impartially to
wards all in speaking of the Legislature; and at.
tributes the failure of that body to fulfil those acts
which majority of the people wished to see &C.
complished, chiefly to sectional feeling and desire
for local benefits correspondent and correative
with designs of more general character. Unless
this feeling can be done away with the progress of
the State in commercial greatness must be retarded
in most disastrous degree