The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-02-23
raE DAILY DISPATCH
FNIpAY MORNING., FEBRUARY 3. isss.

TIE DAILY DISPATCH
FaIDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY q. iass.
a WILL. EARksp NEED OF HoNeR.--As |
our readers have been already appraised, the
French government has presented two med
als Of high order. appropriate to the ON
ola, positions held by each, to DIR. William
m principal surgeon. and DIR. Harrison, as
sstant surgeon of the U. ). Naval Hospital
\ Portsmouth This highly honorable as
tioction has been conferred in acknowiedg
meat Of the humane and noble conduct OF
those gentlemen to the officers and crew OF
the French steam frigate Chimere, which, 1t
will be recollected. was attached to the
French West India squadron, and put into
Norfolk harbor last SIMMER, with the yellow
fever on board. DIR. Williamson, upon learn
ing the state of things, with characteristic
promptness aud benevolence, had the sick
conveyed to the U. s. Naval Hospital, where
they were attended by himself aud his ac-
complished assistant, DIR. Harrison, with the
most unceasing kindness, devotedness and
care. The peculiar and energetic devotion
with which these gentlemen responded to
the calls of suffering humanity, elected the
profound gratitude of the French officers
and of their government. The French ad-l
miral of the station wrote . highly compli-
mentary letter to the American officers, and
another ota similar character was penned
by Louis Napoleon. The medals, which
have Just been ordered, crown gracefully
and appropriately the gratitude and courtesy
which the noble acts of our countrymen have
elected from the French government. How
much more elevated and worthy the dignity
and intelligence of human nature is the in
terchange of such kindly sympathies and
courtesies, than deeds of hatred and destruc'
ton upon the bloody theatre Of war!
Dr. Williamson, the chief surgeon OF the
hospital at Portsmouth, is one of the most
eminent and respected surgeons of the navy,
and his character reflects as much credit on
human nature as does his skill on that OF his
noble profession. He ID native OF Mary
land, q gentleman of the old school, one
whose intelligence and lofty bearing would
in any country command respect and hom-
age. five could always send abroad such
representatives of American character, our
national reputation would stand Infinitely
higher than at present. The whole life OF
this distinguished man has been marked by
the courageous benevolence and humanity
which have, in the case of the French frigate
Chimere, attracted so much attention. On
one occasion the U. s. frigate Macedonian
arrived in the harbour of Norfolk with the
yellow fever on board. The chief surgeon
and assistant surgeon of the vessel had both
died of the terrible disease. DR.. Williamson
instantly volunteered his services, went on
board the vessel, and, in the midst of the
plague, devoted himself with the NEST admi-
rable skill aud courage to the suffering crew.
Such acts as these seem to us more worthy
of admiration than all the animal proves
ever displayed on quarter deck, and which
is often stimulated by mere passion, ambition
and vanity.
As the Constitution does not permit gifts
to be received by officers of the U. States
from foreign powers, it will require special
act Of Congress to enable Drs. Williamson
and Harrison to accept the medals conferred
on them by the French government.
GEN. CAss's SPEEcH.-The general opinion
appears to be that General Cass has made a
very unnecessary and unimpressive exhibit
ton in his speech on Lord Clarendon's re-
mark, uttered SO long ago. We conjecture it
will not occasion the slightest uneasiness in
the public mind. Whatever might have been
Lord Clarendon's meaning, he is but Lord
Clarendon. The British government is not
going to get into war with this country that
it can well avoid; and we are sure this coun-
try is not going out of its way to get into a
difficulty with Great Britain. We have
sometimes doubted the cordial intent of Eng
land towards the United States; but suppose
these doubts to be well founded, there is
enough of national interest--mutual national
interest--to forbid England and America
going to war, independent of the power
of the United States, which even England
knows how to respect. As to the present
ruler OF France, he is being whose purposes
are hard to divine, and whose inclinations
are unreliable. But if he does not go to
war with America until England jeins him.
we apprehend that, not only Gen Cass will
never live to see the contest, but even our.
selves, who are much younger, viii have
gone where the cannon of the belligerents
will never wake us
CHE Book FOR THE TINES The novel
thus significantly heralded entitled-"Stan-
hope Burleigh; the Jesuits in our Homes. ~ by
Helen Dhu-has come. We have comics
both from Mr.. Woodhouse and Mr.. West, II
is commonly styled "the Know. Nothing No
VEL and is designed to excite the popular
feeling against the Catholics. Without be-
ing able to speak more OF the work, not hav !
ing read it, we cannot but admire the smart
ness OF our "down-east' friends, who are ever
30 ready with "a book for the times, Aunt
Harriet Stowe understood this very well, snd
made herself rich by awaiting herself of her
knoxiege in her "Uncle Tom which was