Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-04-18
MEETING IL CHESTERFIELD.

>Hs: chanceu 10 witness Il discussion which
took place Yesterday al Chesterfield Courthouse,
between Messrs Seldom and Bots. The crowd
was large, ana deep interest was exhibited BY the
audience: Indeed, at times. the interest kindled
into enthusiasm. Mr.. Seldom opened Inc discus
sion. An hour and halt was allotted him. Ne
yer vet was an hour ami halt used 10 heller
purp So. Mr.. Bots'S past political career was The
theme OF the opening portion OF Mr. ; 5 speech.
Upon this subject, time would allow orly rapid
sketch: but i, was the sketch Of The sklul artist,
who sei2es, al glance, the bold outlines OF the
picture ne would paint. That rashness, that
headstrong ilnpeiuo>ily. that mad party passion
above all, hathOstililv 10 Southern interests, which
have characterised The political career of Mr.
Bolts, from lis opening 10 lis close, were portray
ed 10 colors as vivid "a they were truthful In
this connection, came the solid argument Of MIR.
IS speech in which the oppression OF prolec-
tiYe Tariff was exposed, the injustice Of a system
Of iriernal Improvements By The General Go
vernmenl painted in The dark colors il Sc well de-
serves, and the Texas question iorcib,y present
ed. During tie whole OF Mr. SIS speech there
was condensation Of thought 4 fo;E,edness Of
expression, and high tone oi solemn seriousness
OF conviction, which ligeted the attention Of
large audience throughout, and seemed 10 leave
an impression more durable Than the transient
excitement OF the scene
Mr.. Bolts then rose: lie said, that he had been
confined the day before b. violent attack OF
ague and fever; that nothing could have induced
him 10 venture out on hat day but determine
ton 10 expose some ISLANDERS V hich had been cir
cnla,ed in Chesterfield, to his prejudice; that one
Of his caIumniaiofs stood before him. (poining
10 Mr.. Burton, who had been his ovcrseer.) and
that he would prove him TO be such. MIR. Bots
then read several certificates, 10 prove that MIR.
! Bunons statements in reference 10 him were
false. After Mr.. Bots had finished his statement,
| Mr.. Button asked permission to make counter
statement This Mir Bolts refused. Here this
prologue ended Mr. Bolts now commenced his
| reply TO Mr.. Seldom. 10 reference 10 The charge
OF rashness and imretuosity, Mr.. y. said that
God had given him nature that hated lying; that
| Van Buren had lied, and, therefore he had ex
posed Van Buren,; that God had also given him
nature that hated treachery; that Tyler was
traitor, and, therefore, he had denounced Tyler:
that power had no ierrofs Tor him; that station had
no charms; and that ii was his prize and pleasure
10 90 about the world exposing corruption in high
places: and that, it this was rashness and impe.
luositv his competitor migh, make The most Of il.
He next came 10 the Tanf when he proved, 10
the satisfaction OF all who can understand how
given quantity is DIMINISHED in proportion 10 whal
Won aGd 10 IT, thai high duties make low prices!
The demonstration OF this simple proposition
brought Mr.. B. 10 the end OF hrs time.
Mr. Seldom rose in rejoinder He WIS never
happier. Ii was conceded by al! that his etor,
wa, eminentIy successful Inceed, il brought 10
ligh, new powers, which had mol supposed Mr..
$. 10 possess. Not only did he exhibit those pow
ers OF strong reasoning, lucid statement, and
high defamation, which characterize all his ei-
fortS but there was combined with them, on this
occasion, The llveliest VIII 10 many Ci is raFie
iies--now punSent, 10 give point 10 his argument
now biting and sarcastic, 10 orerwhem his en-
tasonis,-now playful and spoHive 10 bring re-
liet 10 4 tedious statement, or 10 lend charm 10
drv chain OF close reasoning. After having spo-
ken most brilliantly FOR hall an hour, Che period
allotted 10 him. he took his seat
Mr.. Bolts again rose. he came that day 10
Chesterfield Che saiCi) 10 address the people on
great national guesions-not 10 appeal 10 their
passions! He had 100 much respect for the peo-
pie 10 appeal 10 their passions he NOR appealed
TO the passions OF the people. he a'prsM addressed
their reason and their calm Judgment. he intended
20 address their reason and their calm Judgment
on this occasion. He therefore set about prov
ing that Van Buren, was a liar: Tyler 4 traitor;
The Calhoun men disunionisls the Hunkefs Office.
hunters The friends Of Texas land pirates, and
John q. Adams PATROL Having thus al
dressed the reason and calm judgment 81 his ali-
iience on great questions % high national import,
he resumed his seat.
The discussion between Messrs. Seldom and
Bots having thus ended, Mr.. Jones rose 10 ex-
plain a charge which Mr. Bots had brought
against him in his frs, speech. i is nnnece>sa-
rs 10 state, that the explanation was enlfey "a
;isiactory How could il b. otherwise Inc
charge involved inconsistency, aid al VINO know
Mr.. Jones, know that there has been n more
consistent politician in Virginia than he ias
been. 4 SPECTATOR.
April 18th, 1915.