Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-09-22

TO THE EDITOR OF iWE f-EQUIRtR
II wi doubtless be interesting tn many OF your read
rrs TO have of the discussion al Staf'rd
Court. house the l4th instant, between Il. L. Da-
MEL and James A. Seldom, Esqs. The reputation Tor
talents Of high order, possessed by both gentle
mcn-ihe fact that they had been invited by Their re-
spectiva political friends, 10 from distance to
this their native county, added 10 the intense political
excemen; Of the country brought out, was natu.
rally to b. expected large crowd OF our cihzans-
Owing 10 the fact that the Wings wished 10 send dele.
rates to the Richmond Convention the 9TH Of Oct.
next, and held meeting for that purpose, the Discus
sion did not commence until after II clock Mr.. Da-
mel appeared at that time and spoke for upwards 81!
three hours. With fine voce-wIti considerable pre-
tensions to oratory-wh the advantage OF considerable
experience III this campaign, anu with month prepa
ration for this particular occasion, Il will nothc wondered
at that he made very handsome speech Ii is true, ht
did not present single idea sing IL new reason,
why the people should abandon their cherished prnci
pies and faithful public servants, and worship at the
shrine OF the Rec dumb idol Of the Wing party. No,
SIR he travelled the old ground, which has been
cuped, throughout the present campaign, by every
Whir Orator whom | have heard, or heard of. He
made the same charges of corruption, extravaganza,
an attempt establish Standing Army &c. and
brought forward the same specifications Of retaining III
Office public dr!autcrs, knowing them 10 be SUCH ap
pnnm" and removing public officers, in reference I"
party Iitcs, and not for fitness TO drs:har-" Official
du,y yyhic! have again and again been made ard as
often r.Glted. lie violent IN his Remuneration of
Cen Jarksons in regIrd 10 the L. ). Bank, ard
o.. hir. Van BHrcns oit-repratrd recommendation of
the sub Treasury He contrnded that the Sub lreas
r. was a ruoiis and unconstitutional mcasure-ca.cu-
lated In drstrov the YreGUcr the price of The
poor man iaboraEd in view OF ali these evils, SAID the
pcopIe wanted Chanes! Lhap""' RJcrm Hcf0rm =
lie then passed highly wrought cnIogiuin on the M
tarv and civic character OF General larr''on-but did
rot inform rs in reference to the policy principles 10
which he was committed on any subject Whatever
have omitted To saw Mr. Daniel charged that AN Blu
rem and his party fcdrrasts, and came INTO power
al the lime Of the famous Proclamation Of General Jack
snn-fsave the mark y and abured hard to establish
that Con Harrison and the Wing party Jetrsonan
Rcpubcans,-O On the whole, hrs speech was only
perior to the slang which hear every day, IN the
style and attire with which his thoughts were clothed
There was less Of violence than had been expected by
those who had heard Of his exhibitions else where
A,Irr lr c! ,-.I which half. past three CLOCK
recess v = agreed for refreshments, and at four
u'c.,ck James \. Seldom ESD commenced, and at
s..y:n clock concluded one ct the abrst ana most
cIoeurnl speeches have ever heard. lie seemed 10
have reflected deeply and informed himself fully, not
only in regard to the great issues, which rsaiy 10
be passed upon By the people at the polls in No.
ye.nber ncAt-but he was fully prepared TO d,sa
busc the public mind the subject of the ground
less charges against the administration, ard va.
rous huubugs, ich have been rcsorted to 10 'S!ead
the people lie showed the soundncss OF Mr.. Van Bu-
rem and perrc, unsouudaess OF General Harrison,
all those vital questions OF public policy so long con
tended for by the Democracy, and non directly, and
nuon incidentally, overturned and demolished the ar
runen,s aud positions G the Wing orator. He was
peculiarly lucid and able in porraylug the evils and
dancers Of associated wealth in the form OF National
Bank and lie simplicity, beauty and benefits o! the In.
depcnarnt Treasury system In fine, his triumph
his Whi0 nppot.e NJ seemed be full and complete
incline to iIink he felt that he had he mastery. am
SIRE the Wing orator tell that his had suffered
loss IN h hands; for although the hour late, and
there was General move when Mr.. Seldom closed his
speech vet he sprang his feet and attention for
% unutcs to enable him to rsPy The people evnccd
disposition to hear him, and returned; but you may
imagine their srprzr when, instead Of reply, the
gentleman aanrlcsv under considerable excitement,
Lranc!lrd Of on new TOPICS which had not previously
been GScsSscd, aud principally the mscrdc Hooe hnm-
byy THIS was too bad Some person n!isetted that
part Of his speech, by General iarrisons vote 10 sill
white men There was good deal Of excitement, just
at this point, OF which the gentleman complained as
uncour,sn,is and left the Court. house-(hut which,
think was the natural effect Of his remarks Scd-
DON left as he was in undspned possession Of the
field made a short hut eloquent speech, and thus the
mater ended Now Sir, do not pretend that have
given perfect sketch Of the proceedings, synopsis
a. the speeches. | took notes the time; but
Ina ye ri,daay"red do impartial justice. think there
are intelligent Wings in the county who would ackanw
lrdrc that Seldom obtained decided advantage the
discussion / an sure | speak the unanimous scnti.
mon, nf the Democracy.