Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-09-22
To the Editors of tie Enquirer:


Messrs. Editors AS chapter in the history
OF the times, beg leave 10 offer you very briei
record OF The incidents that occurred al last
Orange Court. Al an early hour Of the day i,
was ascerlained that the Wing Elector OF the 9Th
District. The Hon. William &. Rives, was upon
The ground, and would address the people OF the
county. II was well known that our Eleclor
Leake, and J. S. Barbour would be absent ful.
filling their appointments in their respective dis
lricts-( Qurc2 Did Mr. Rves know il 2l--yel
The Democrats had no idea that the bic
gentleman should steal a march on them, and
promptly demanded OF some OF our prominent
Wings an equal division OF time, that they might
reply. The answer was, Mr.. Rives had come
TO make speech, and they had no authority, and
positively refused 10 make any cquable adjust.
ment. Mr. Rives, when interrupted for The pur.
pose also refused, saying they might have ill the
7th of November 10 reply Il was evidently his
intention to occupy the whole of the evening, and
II is believed, but Tor his physical inability, be
would have succeeded in his design. tfIha than
20 say ii was miserable sophisiry, violent denun.
citation Of Mr.. Polk as a tyFant and despot, tramp
ling on the Constitution, collecting revenues and
making war without authority OF law. He de.
nounced General Cass as "sivog al | and com
tort" 10 the President in all his despoc measures
He lauded General Taylor as a second Wash
ington, and advocated The superior qualifications
OF military men for The exercise of civil authori
ly-referrine TO Washington, the Duke OF Mari
borough, Jackson, and Others, 10 sustain his po
sition. he defend d Fillmore against the charge
of Aboiliohism, declaring his vote Tor The first o
the Atheiton Resolutions, chat Congress had nc
authority 10 interfere with the existence OF slave
~ in the States" as conclusive OF his soundness
on The subect-that he was the safest Northern
man in whom The South could confde, and wor,
thy Of our support. His speech was, in fine
such an one as you would expect from a dema
gogue addressing an ignorant and uniformed
audience, without the anticipation OF reply =
He dragged heavily through his hsrangue Of Two
hours, eicting no applause and arousing no en-
thusiasm- evidently showing that the burden he
had assumed was TOO heavy tor his Strength
that his cause was a bad one.
Young James Barbour, OF Culpeper, was call.
ed out 70 reply-and never, perhaps in the hislo-
~ Of political warfare, were The Wings more ia.
ken aback. They looked on amazed and con.
founded, and the Hon. Eg Senator and EY.Mi.
mister, II not already too much humhled in his
own estimation, doubtless cursed, mentally. the
day and hour he accepted The distinguished posi-
OF Wing Eleclor Of The 9Th District.
Barbour had not spoken twenty minutes when
the honorable gentleman mounted the rostrum.
with anger in his countenance, and demanded a
re hearing though he had refused US the priyi-
egc Of reply To this the crowd would not
submit, and loudly demanded that Barbour
should proceed. He was cautious and respect
full 10 his distinguished advcrsary-foIloweJ
him through his harangue = took up his several
positions Exposed his glaring sophis,ry most
ably defended the President and The Democratic
policy elucidated the doubtful position of Ge
neral Taylor-proved from the record The abo-
litonism Of Filmorc-and argued that the
Wing party, like their principles were dead
and obsolete. He illustrated the very doubtful
position OF Taylor, being supported by Ashmun,
CorwiD, Truman Smith, and Others of the same
kidney, by appointed and happy anccdoie:
A gentleman was travelling, some time
since, in Western State, and asked and oh
tanned for the night accommodation al n log
cabin. He occupied in common with the fami
~, the only room in the house the beds being
screened from each other by clothes, which
never had, perhaps, felt the cleansing virtues of
soap and water. In the morning he observed
the mistress Of the family. while preparing for
breakfast, wipng her knives, forks and plates,
with the aforesaid curtain clothes This was an
uninvting prelude 10 his morning repast, con
slsting Of corn bread and pork. Very soon lit.
tie urchin in the chimney corner cried out to his
mama that there was great hair in bis bread.
He was reproyed by his mother, and assured il
was nothing but corn silk. dwell, mama, il
it is corn silk, what are all these nils doing
sticking toil !"
Mr.. Barbour Is quite young man, and &C.
Quilted himself with distinguished honor; and if
there was any thing on the occasion to mar the
enjoyment of the Democrats, it vas the mor,i-
Tying spectacle of beholding Mr.. Rives, once
The prominent leader of Virginia Democracy,
a nd their designated candidate for the Presiden-
~, SO fallen from his high estate, casting of
MS dignity as statesman, aud condescending to
10 Inc partizan work of Wing Eleclor, at the
bidding, loo, Of men Who in their hearts. dc
'pise him as politician
The Democracy gave three cheers for Bar. |
,our, and al late hour dispersed, proud of
heir champion and Of their cause,
ALPHA.