Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-09-08
such letters, that he will not gel two-thirds OF The
Wing vote in The Union. We are certain Of the
election Of Csss and Butler. Our wachword is
VICTORY
To the Editors OF ttc Enquirer
NHnNnnrS

L.
On Monday last, our August Court the
gallant, talented and accomplished Shelton E.
Leake OF Albemarle was here, and spoke 10 a
very large and intelligent gathering OF the people
OF our county. MIR. Leake led off in speech of
one hour and half, which was listened to with
| marked and unbToken attention, and was respond
ed 10 by frequent and hearty demonstrations of ~
plause. He portrayed eloquently and fo.cibly
The widespread prosperity The country now present.
ed everywhere, as the trui, OF The administration
of James X. Polk, and Appealed 10 the obscrya
ton and experience OF every man OF ci!her poll
lical party TO know if James K Polk had mol
faithfully and re!leiously fulfilled every promise
and redeemed every pledge made By him or mis-
party TO The country previous 10 his elevation 10
power. The government had been divorced from
banks, the independent treasury system establish
ed, and millions oil money disbursed in precious
metals or their equivalent without the loss OF
dollar 10 The Government The tariff OF '46 had
been successfully established and It's erea,
superiority over that Of AZ, as revenue mea
snre, clearly and conclusively tested chalepg
irg now the support even of its enemies. The
public credit had been raised from below to
above par; revenue greatly increased. and prices
OF fabrics considerably reduced. 10 1874 the
issues between the parties were distinctly made
up and defined; that contest was one Of princi
pie. The parties then were arrayed under
chosen leaders, with appropriate FLAGS, and
their avowed principles Inserted thereon Far
different did MIR. Leake regard this contest. No
platform OF principles had been erected by the
Wing party: and they were marshalled und r
leader, whose opinions if he had any, were
locked up in his own bosom, or carefully con.
ceaed from the public eye. MIR. Leake called
upon the gen leman, who was 10 reply. for &c
neral Taylors opinion as to one single topic Of
public interest; and predicted, successfully too,
that ne would not venture an opinion for him
upon even one. Without opinions and without
qualifications, soldier by trade, he vas at a
loss to conjecture the foundation of the hope Of
his election as President.
Mr. Leake discussed with great clearness and
cosency the veto power, principle OF which, he
said. was engraed upon our Constitution Ia pro-
lcct The people from factions, hasty and unwl,e
legislation. The President was sworn 10 exer.
else il, AMI would be false 10 bis oath 10 support
the Constitution il h. did not when The emersen-
cy demanded il. The present crisis in our al.
fairs peculiarly and forcibly illustrated the wis.
dom and patriotism OF the Trainers Of The Con-
sliution in Incorporating il into that instrument,
and in The last resort il might BE- the only refuge
and shield 10 the South against the threatened en-
croachments upon her rights by the North. He
rapidly reviewed the lie oil Gen. Cas-, and paid
a handsome tribute TO his eminent and distin-
guished public services in the Field Cabinet, Sc.
nate and in France. Gen. Cass was opposed 10
the Wilmo. Proyiso, whilst he (Mr. l-eake) was
forced 10 infer from The Signal letter lha. Gen
Taylor was in favor of il.
Mr., Leake was followed " WI. CapcHen, WIG
commenced NY remarking that il was nc, his pro
vince TO reply on this occasion; that. frGm the
reputation which had preceded Mr.. Leaks, ne
and his friends expected 10 be swallowed up by
him. Instead otlhis, his effort had fallen lar below
his expectations. Instead OF discussing great
questions OF public policy, his speech was re.
pele with The slang oi the day. Mr. L had dis
coursed upon many topics, but had uol once
touched thai above all Others 10 importance, the
Mexican War, the source Of all our woes MIR.
C. dwet al some length upon the origin and cost
ofthe war, the widows and orphans il had made,
and the difficulties growing out OF il ia connec
lion with slavery power-endorsed the views OF
Gen. Taylor upon the veto pJwef-called il the
zone man power"-an executive and no, a popu.
lar feature in our system OF government,
Mr.. Leake followed in powerful and sca'hiug
reoinder; and his competitor, pile his efforts
to conceal it, and hi. friends to avoid it, mani.
iesed TOO plainly that the pointed arrows had
spent their full force upon him, and that he was
painfully wrilhing under their influence. MIR.
c. and his friends he could not swallow, said Mr.
L., because he had no relish for The dsn il ever
80 highly seasoned with salt and pepper, still his
stomach would revolt al il-and, therefore, The
gentleman's fears were groundless. Mr.. Leake
ably discussed The Mexican war, and illustrated
the position of the Wing party by most appro
PIRATE anecdote, for which We regret we have no
space. MIR. C.'s reply We did not hear. MI.
Leakes powers OF repanee and store OF anecdote
make him formidable man upon the hustings,
and hnse who meet him once, will not desire 10
renew his acquaintance.