Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-07-28
DISCUSSION AT MERCER COURT
HOUSE

PalScEros, July ~ Ie45.
Totls Ed.torsot the Enquirer:
Messrs. Editors: We had here Today very
agreeable and quite an animated and able discu,
sion On the subject Of federal politics. between
Albert g. Pendle,on, Esq, Of Giles, and Mr.. Al
len I. CapeuoI OF Monroe.
MIR. Capelton made the onset. He spoke very
handsomely OF the importance OF the questions
involved in The issue Of the Presidential election
-presented the names of the candidates, and
Welded his assent to the first Of the series OF reso-
luions adopted by the Baltimore Convention
He assaulted Gen. Cas- with some bitterness Tor
the structures upon the Wing party contained in
his letter OF acceptance. He arraigned the ad-
minisratiou upon The subject OF the Mexican
war lie argued and endeavorcd 10 show that
the administration was responsible Tor the war,
and that il was the resu, OF The annexation OF
re1as, and d. precated The consequences 10 the
couuuy likely 10 ensue from the acquisition Of
foreign territory.
Mr.. Caperon conferred high ana beautiful
eulosy upon Gen. Taylor's private and military
character, endorsed his principles as contained in
the Allison letter and maintained that his views
upon the veto power were the true and legitimate
principles Of the government-that the General
was the candidate OF The people, and IL e!ecIe'
would be the President OF the nation and not Of
party. Mr. Caperlon arraisned the aeminslra
lion OF Mr. Polk upon all Of It's supposed offences;
he made war upon Gen. Cas- with 10 sparing
hand, and identified him with the present admin.
isiraion He defended The principles Of the Wing
party, and maintained that that party was truly
Republican and conservative in all its measures.
Mr. Pendleton, in reply, fully concurred with
Mr.. Capertcn as 10 the importance and nagni-
tude OF the question. and issues involved in the
present contest; and in speaking OF the candidates
for the Presidency, was astonished al The TACT
tina. Mr.. c. had failed 10 make The leas, allusion
10 the candidate for The Vice Presidency. Why
was il So II is certainly position OF high dis.
iinciion, and second ia point OF importance IN the
sovernment-and in our time, BY the death OF a
late President. had become lhe first, We had 10
guarantee that such nigh, no. be the fact in the
future; il was guarantee hat no man could give
IA pIerosa,ive that alone belonged 10 God He
again asked, why had he gentleman failed 10 in
form The people who were he candidates for The
Vice Presidency Was because Mr.. Fillmore
cherished opinions iha, no man in these noun.
lains could tolerated Was il because that gen.
tleman, during The extra session OF 1871, was the
advocate OF all those wild and reckless measures
which, since that memorable session, bad been
50 signally rebuked By great majority Of The SO.
vereIsn people OF this Union2 Was il because
Mr.. Fillmore bad no synpalhies with The South,
and Ina, upon the Anterior" resolutions he was
Inc worthy compeer and associate OF Giddngs,
Slade, 'et i'd omne geIas7"
Upon the subjec. oil the Mexican war, Mr.. P.
proved lba! The Mexican Government was in
the wrong, and argued that it was contest from
which we could not escape without the los. o. ma.
,ional characler-ihat our governmen; had done
all il could hcnorably do 10 avoid t-lha, in lis ell
tors We had been unsuccessful-lh the Me1i.
Can nation had presented The sword as The only
arbiler; ours had accepted il, and Inc result was
nov before The world.
In speaking OF the candidates for the Pre,iden.
cy, Mr.. P. said ne hoped he wonId ever be ready
10 pay Gen. Taylor willing and heartfelt III.
butte Tor those displays of military gallanry aud
patriotism With which he had SO oiIen ceiisn'ei
his counry-ihat as great commantei ne &C.
mired him, and as patriot and soldier, ioVeo
him. Blu, that, in scanning bis life and cnaiac-
ter so far as he had been enabled 10 do SO, ne naa
rel 10 learn his fitness and competency lor Inc
Presidency. From the character oil zen. lay.
lor's professionalism bis ennre devotion % that
profession for The last forty years, ne Mr.. ~
was satisfied that The General was but NY quail
fed and competent 10 the discharge OF the delicate
and mul,ifarious duties attached 10 the hrs. civil
Office, in point Of importance, magnitude and dis
liuclion. known 10 this or any other land-ihatn no
man had ever looked 10 Gen. Taylor as the stan
dard.bearer OF any party until alter the batle Of
Monterey-and that then his friends urged bis
prelensions solely upon the score Of military dis
inction, and upon none other-Ihs', from The
lights now before the country, il was impossible
10 learn Gen. Taylors political opinions-ihaI
they had never been correctly dehued, and that II
was requiring 100 much 10 ask tree and an en-