South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1834-11-22
SUBSTANCE
OF THE SPEECH OF Mr.. LEIGH,
At the dinner giuen to him at Peters,
burg, on tie 18th Of October.

i The toast drunk to Mr.. LEIGH was
this
BENJAMIN WATKINS LEIGH--The
fearless, able, and eloquent defender Of
the Constitution: We admire the patriot,
honor the statesman, respect and love the
man."
| 1t was received by the company with
most enthusiastic and long contin ued
CHEERS, the band struck up the tune of
AULD LANG sYNE and when all was at
length hushed into profound silence,
Mr.. LEIGH rose and said-There
we're some feelings, and those The best
that could warm the heart Of man, which
could be far more easily understood
than expressed. And such were the
feelings, which the vivid associations,
suggestedb by the place hselfin which he
was now standing, and yet more by the
company that surrounded him, excited
in his bosom. On this very spot he
had passed many a sportive hour, and
partaken in many a civic festival, in
the days of his yos,h and early man.
hood-with friends OF whom he saw
many present, and whose presence re-
minded him Of many now no more
in times, wbeo political opposition ne.
yer abated personal good will, inter-
rupted private friendship, or disturbed
social intercourse /; in times, when those
who maintained their own opinions
with most zeal, yet respected the opin,
ions Of Others, and gave them credit for
integrity and sincerity, when, if heats
arose in the unrestrained freedom Of
discussion, every man dismissed all an
cry feelings from his breast, before he
laid his head upon his pillow, and met
his opponent next morning with an O.
pen countenance, on which more than
usual kindness was beaming, aaxioas
to obli,erate the memory ofthe alterca-
lion by The marked cordially Of his
manner. The thought of those times
and of those scenes, he said, came over
mis- mind now, "like the memory of
Joys that are past, pleasant, y mourn.
Iful to the soul :" for that healtbfH state
of public feeling-those happy times
had gone by perhaps never more to
reeur, in his day. The mad and mad
dening fury Of party strife, that was
now raging through the land, lift should
endure yet little longer, and be aggra-
waited to single degree Of more inten-
|sity, would, he much feared, destroy
all the charities, and even the deeen.
cies, of social life.
He said, he had been sent to the Sen.
ate Of the United States, not only with.
out any solicitation on his part, but a.
gainst his wishes, and indeed in des-
pite Of his earnest depreciation: he had
been compelled into the public service
by moral force which no man could
have resisted, without mourning the i'm.
putation ola cold unconcern for the vi
tai interests Of his country, and sub
ljecling himself 10 the suspicion of the
besest recreancy. And Immediately
afterwards he saw himself charged with
the most artful intrigue, intrigue to in
duce the Legislature 10 adopt such
course Of proceedings as should com,
pei his predecessor TO resign, and then
TO procure his own election to the va.
cant place Those who imputed such
intrigues 10 him-if they thought what
they said-must have supposed him
possessed either Of the gift of prophecy
or of the unreserved confidence of his
predecessor for, otherwise, no man
lcould have foreseen that the resolutions
of the Legislature would induce him to
resign his seat. But, he said, he might
safely vouch every member of the Leg
islaiure, friend, or foe, to acquit him Of
the charge Of intrigue. That was not,
never had been, never would be, his
way of working. He had, in truth,
little or no conversation with his most
intimate personal friends in the Legis-
ature, on the subject Of its proceed.
ings and there were gentlemen now
present Che alluded particularly to Mr..
Booker of Amelia, and Mr.. Johnson of
ChesterGeld) who could and would
bear witness, that so far from having
sought to be elected to the Senate, he
had done all that any man could have
done, without improperly, 10 avoid it.
They who charged him with intrigues
on tina, occasion, could only fad evil
dence 10 justify the charge, in the con.
seriousness of what they themselves
would have been capable Of, in the like
circumstances.
/ lie had been sent to the Senate, in
the midst Of the most arduous session,
and in the most extraordinary conjec.