Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-13
THE ENQUIRER,
RICK MOND, VA.
Monday Morning, April IL. IS47.

THE DISCUSSION IN RICHMOND.
The discussion between Mes,rs. J. NJ. BorTs
and WALTER D. LEAKE, on Friday evening" re-
suited very much TO the satisfaction of The friends
OF Mr.. Leake.
Mr.. go.ls spoke two hours. The greater par,
OF that time was devoted 10 The Mexican war, In
the effort 10 show that MIR. Polk was responsible
lor the war. Ills argument, we thought, was mol
as torcbe as might have been expected from
one Of his acknowledged ability. The badness
OF his cause very likely operated against his ma
king a more successful effort. Had not Mr..
Bots been speaking in the State of Virginia, we
should have imagined that he was advocating
the cause OF Mexico against his own country.
W. 10 not desire to be understood as saying that
Mr.. B. is against his country in this war; tor In
few wcsds, near The close Of his speech, he said
'tha, as our army was now there" he was in
favor q assisting them; but, from The general
tenor of his remarks, we could be led TO no other
conclusion, than tina; Mr.. B. was for making
more political capital for himself and his party
than his arguments tended 10 the prosecution of
The war; il certainly was no, such speech as
would incle any one TO enlist under the standard
Of his country. His speech was listened 10
with much interest BY his political friends, and
with respectful attention by his opponents.
Mr.. Leake followed Mr.. Bolts, taking up the
topics as they were presented by MIR. B., and af-
Ter few very happy Introductory remarks, called
The attention OF his audience TO the position OF
Mr.. Bots in connection with the Tariff of 1912,
which had been spoken Of BY Mr.. Bots. Mr..
Leake stalled that his object was not 10 show that
Mr. Bots was opposed to high protective Tariff,
bu, to show that he was loo much of iactionist
and too much under The influence Of his preju-
dices 10 make useful slaleaman. He stated that
MIR. Bolts had sustained The tariff bill which Mr..
Tyler veio,d, on account of its repeating the
clause il the Tariff Of the previous year. that dis
ribulion should go on irrespective OF the rate OF
the Tariff being raised above 20 per cent. The
bill was then introduced striking cut the clause
touching distribution, but covering The proiec-
lion embraced in the previous BILL and that
MIR. Bots from a fac,ous spirit, or The
desire to head Captain Tyler, voted against The
Tariff Of 1912, as II passed Here MIR. Leake
was abruptly conradiced by MIR. Bolts-and, as
soon as Mr.. Leake attempted 10 make good his
charge, a iumuluous uproar was raised which
threatened 10 break up the meeting. Mr.. J. NJ.
Patton addressed some few remarks to the meet
ing. stating that Mr.. Bolts had been heard with
ont interruption, and il was but fair that Mr..
Leake should also be allowed TO proceed In like
manner.l Mr.. Leake, in continuation, stated
that the extracts he held in his hand he had CO.
pied The day before from the Journal OF Congress
! OF IS4l-'42, which showed most conclusvely tina!
MIR. Bolts did yots against the Iarg bu of Of 1912,
which was the law OF the land until repealed by
| The Tariff Of 1886 The extracts produced
by Mr.. Leake did not, however, give satisfaction,
and the Journal was called for by Mr.. Bots and
his friends, and was brought in, in time for Mr..
! Bo,s 10 refer 10 il before Mr.. Leake had spoken
The time allotted TO hm-being The same as that
which Mr. B had occupied Mr.. LIS argument
showing lha, The war was the result OF the conduct
OF Mexico was strong, clear and convincing, and
most successfully did he overthrow The argument
that The war was brought on BY Mr.. Polk. he
/ was equally torcble in presenting the injurious
tendency of the repeal Of The Dist rule which ex-
cluded abolition petitions and for the repeal Of
which Mr.. Bolts had uoted.
He presented the admirable working Of the
Sub. Treasury by showing that The exchanges
had never been as healthful as they now are, and
that 100, when The country was engaged in a TO
reign war. The Banks, he said, were never ID
a better condition than they now are. He
spoke of the war, not as party man OF
as a Democrat, but as an American CHI.
zen and denounced The course OF MIR. Webster
and those who with him had spoken against hi
cause Of our country, as calculated 10 inspire lh
enemy with increased zeal and 10 induce them Il
acknowledge that they did fud comfort in the ex
pressions OF such sentiments as Mr.. Webster III
tered. The eloquent and patriotic manner II
which Mr.. Leake spoke OF Gen. Taylor and 81
army. mus, have filled the hearts OF nearly al
who heard him.
Afer MIR. Leake had occupied his Two hours
MIR. Bots rose TO reply, and took up the Journa
of Congress TO show how be slood in regard
The Tariff Of 1872 He showed where the 81
was reported and voted upon, and that his vo'
was recorded for the bill-(Here, The Wings SUI
posing Mr.. Bolts had ,riumphed, the applause wa
;mmense)-thal the bill passed, and was sent /
he President and be vetoed it on accoun, OF u