Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-09-05
RICH MOND, VA.
Monday Morning. September 4, is4s.
THE CLOSE OF THE DISCUSSION.

TIE CLOSE OF THE DISCUSSION.
An immense crowd fIlei the African Church
on Saturday night, TO witness the oralorical "pas
sage at arms" between Messrs. Caskie and
Lyons. The former gentlemen was In fine tone,
and his speeches greatly increased his already
deservedly high reputation, as finished orator,
powerful debaler, and impressive and effective
speaker. Never did We hear him speak 80 well;
never have we heard better or more appropriate
speeches on such an occasion. The Democrats
were delighted with MIR. Caykies successful Ell.
forts, and many Wings publicly avowed their
high appreciation of his strong and able and
eloquent speeches. His was triumph indeed.
MIR. Lyons, for whom we have high personal
regard, and whose talents and oratory are known
throughout The Union, made an ingenious arsu.
ment, which was here and there marked BY pas
sages of warm eloqusnce. Some OF his euloeies
upon Old lack, though little too extravagant
Tor our taste, were very handsome and glowing.
Considering the weakness Of his cause and his
own peculiar position on some Of the great ques
lions Of the day, Mr.. Lyons made fine speech,
which was listened 10 with great attention by The
crowd. The discussion was full of interest and
pleasant excitement, and marked on both sides by
that decorum and courtesy which do honor to the
speakers and are so grateful 10 The audience.
We hope 10 give an extended sketch OF the
debate on Saturday night, the developments OF
which will be read with interest by the public
In the mean time we must refer 10 few of the
positions presented by MIR. L. His speech could
give but very little "aid and comfort" to The
Wing parry-bul he was selected by that parry,
with his sentiments frankly avowed and honora-
bly, asserted, and if his evidence was made to turn
70 the benefit OF the Democratic cause, the Wings
mus, blame themselves and not Mr.. L. Moreover
we should add that 1t was the delicate lac, and
| skill Of MIR. Caske, which elected from Mr.. l.
many important admissions, 10 few OF which
we will here aude. The Wings have denonn-
| ced the annexation OF Texas and the march OF
the army TO the Rio Grande, as causes OF the war
with Mexico. MIR. Lyons frankly avowed that, in
his opinion, neither of these causes had produced
the war. As for annexation, he had been zeal
ous champion Of il on great Southern grounds
and were The question TO 60 over, ne should
again be It's cordial advocate. He did not De.
lieve that the march OF the army 10 the Rio Grande
was the cause Of the war, because ne did not
doubt that The territory between The Nueces and
the Rio Grande was American soil, portion Of
the Stale q Texas, which We were bound 10 de-
fend; but, said Mr.. L.. the blunder consisted in
marching The troops a.ross the Rio Grande. Now
we confess hat we cannot see the point Of this
argument; as ii is matter of history that Gen.
| Taylor himself marched across that river and
was justified in it not only BY the administration
but by Mr.. Criuenden in his speech in the Senate
The gia of the question is as TO the march 10 The
Rio Grande. II !, was no cause of war TO occu.
py the territory up 10 that line, as the Democratic
party contend, and as Mr.. Lyons fully admits,
there is no further question about il. The justice
OF the war is fully made ou. On this question MIR.
L is at direct issue with the Wing orator, MIR.
Sianard, who preceded him on Thursday night.
But on another point Mr.. LIS speech was in
utter conflict with bo.h OF the Wing orators,
Messrs. Daniel and Slanard. We refer TO the
Clayton. Calhoun Territorial bill, for defending
which, as Southern man and patriot we return
TO Mr. L. our warme.t hanks MIR. Daniel has
| denounced that bill as surrender and sacrifice
| of Southern rgh,s-whie MIR. Sanard ridlculed
| il as a "mseraole contrvance-a mere agree
ment to i,igae." MIR Lyons, who occupies a
| deservedly high position a, The Bar, manfully
| avowed that, after a full examination oil The
authorities which had been cited agans, the
| bill, (by Messrs Stephens aud Danel) he
had satisfied himself that the authorities DID
NOT TOUCH The QUESTION, and that all The max.
inns OF international law and judicial dec-
sious so far as he had looked, went TO sustain
The opposite side. Because, therefore, he could
not believe that Mexican law would over.
ride the Constitution, and for other reasons, he
regarded The Territorial Compromise as wise
and just measure, which the South could have
accepted. We could no, but feel pleased that 30
distinguished a member of the Wing party
and OF The legal profession, had The bold.
presses, 10 defend great measure of con.
slilulional right We feel happy to have
our own opinions on this important question
so fully and nobly sustained by one OF The Sc.
lec,ed organs Of the Wing party. 1t is true, Mr..
Lyons attempted 10 convict General Cass OF
Observation-Disclosures Mr.. Caskie thoroughly ex-
posed the errors of this part of Mr.. LIS argu-
men,, as any one will see who will examine the
| Nicholson letter. VIVA. MIL unjustly said Of
General Cas- on this point, however, applied
with terrible force to Messrs Daniel, Stephens
and other Wing Barnburners OF the Soulh, who
| IN ha IF Il. H.. Nj
whose arguments convict them of Wilnol Pro.
visoism of The most stringent character. We
should like TO hear Mr.. Daniel reply to MIR.
Lyons on this point-Whig agains, Whig!-bu.
Mr. l.. would take that chat, +" no doubt.
Mr. Caskie introduced The abomnabe letter of
Millard Fillmore with great effect, and avowed
his conviction that Mr.. L. could not vote for a
man with such atrocious opinions. Mr. l.. at
first attempted TO throw doub, upon the authenlici
ty OF the letter; but when Mr. Caskie settled all
| doubt BY reading from the Enquirer OF Novem-
Der, 1888, contemporaneous exposition OF the
identical letter, Mr.. L. emphaicaly declared
that, il Fillmore entertained those opinions, he
should not vote for him. "If he enle!lains them,
said Mr.. L $50 help me God, / shall not uote for
Mm@ MIR. Caskie sill was not satisfied and he
finally obtained from Mr.. L., whose manly conduct
we approve, pledge that Fillmore should be written
to on tie SUBJECT. Mr.. Caske treated this part OF
the subject with great power; be strongly de-.
picted the degradation TO which The Wing party
OF Virginia would be reduced, in voting for such
a man and in glowing terms he invoked DIR. Lyons
aud tue approaching Wing Convention to strike
The name Of Fillmore from The ticket and save Vir.
ginla from the disgrace Of supporting such a man.
Inc scene wasdeeply interesting and We rejoice
10 INFORM the pnblic that /, is clearly understood
that unless Fillmore comes out and retracls the
Infamous opinions OF his letter of 1888. his ma me