Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-09-25
SCENES IN Mercer county.

81 was at present at Mercer Court. house Tues
day last, and ii expected by The citizens that
political speeches would he made on that day, a very
respectable number were present. Capt John Floyd
of Tazewc there by special invitation, on The
part Of the Democracy, and a. /. Caperton, Esq,
practising Lawyer at this bar, appeared on the part OF
the Wings. II late in the day before we could get
possess of the Courthouse, although little Court
business doing AT . clock the speakers mount
I'D the stand Capt +. opened the discussion IN one OF
the most powerful speeches ! ever heard lie spoke
facts, and proved them from history Establishing be
ynnd quibble, the identity of Gen. Harrison with
the Old Black cockade Federalists Of Alien and Sedon
law and Standing Army memorv-showed, that ihs was
not merely contest whether Van Buren, or HARRISON
should be President for the next four years. but con.
lest between the Banks and the Constitutional strug
Gle the part of the Democracy To MAINTAIN that ber
ty for which our fathers fought and hed. But as he
limited to two hours, he had not time to expose all
the miserable charges which the Opposition bring
against the present Administration. lie was followed
in speech Of equal length by MIR Caperton, which
doubt expected to be reply to the arguments
Of Mr.. Floyd. But MIR. C. finding that that would be
! no easy business, and being ingenious Lawyer and
a very skilful tac,cian, very adroty manGuvrcd
around the questions discussed by Mr. Floyd, choosing
rather make issues Of his own, well knowing that
the acness OF the hour well the arrangement OF
bate would secure hun against the dangers OF reply
ris true that TO appearances he made effort 10
rescue Harrison from the charge of Federalism by m
validating the testimony Of of.the witnesses (hc
Hon. John Fowler of kentucky,j who he said, could
not be elected 10 any office, and was altogether IN.
worthy of credit witness. | sorry for the
honor of country, that he made this charge against
Il man whose gray hairs alone should have saved him
from his assaults: but he has been a considera.
bic extent, dealer in character from his youth up
will the friends of MIR. Fowler that his fair fame
| will suffer nothing from such an attack.
"Bu, must not tell you much about the Speeches,
without telling something about their effects. | heard
three gentlemen of the highest responsibility, who voted
for the Wing candidate for the Senate last Spring 50
after the discussion that they would not vote for llarrl-
son There was also in the Wing ranks, band Of ap.
pauders who not be passed by without notice
lest they should think themselves neglected Their bust
appeared be- TO stamp upon the floor with all their
might, upon signal being given by their hleeader,
who sal in full uniform, in a conspicuous seat But,
unfortunately their zeal got the better of their dscrc
ton, and perhaps neither they their tugleman was
very well acquainted with the rules Of elocuton TO
the manner OF grounding the period and the pause
they frequently annoyed their speaker very much
by their mstimcd applause. Bnt for this they should
be blamed as am it was an error of the head
and not of the heart