Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-07-03
THE DAILY TINES.
[CoMmuNIcArEp
DINNER,
RI WIGS OF POWHATAN


Ri WINGS OF POWHATAN,
| At their Court House, on the 18th June, in
| compliment te the Hon. JOHN M. Bolts, at
which upwards OF 300 persons were present,
among whom, a considerable number of the De-
mocratic party The entertainment was such an
one as might have been expected from the hospi-
table citizens of that most enlightened people to
a favorte guest; the utmost harmony and good
cheer prevailed throughout. John M. Miller,
ESQ.,. presided, assisted by Mr.. Chastaine Cooke,
and Others acting as Vice Presidents.
| The following are the regular toasts, with a
portion of the Volunteer, some of the latter having
been mislaid:
| REGULAR TOASTS.
LIST. Our Country The hope OF Liberty throughout the
World-May her successful example continue to cheer
and encourage the hearts of the oppressed in other
lands, who would be free.
I'd The Union When we consider the bright glories
OF the past the happy and prosperous present. and the
wondrous magnhcence OF possible future, dissolution
and its causes appear to be the work OF downright mad
ness.
3d. The President of the United States Nav he
continue to emulate in peace civil head the virtue
moderation and firmness which distinguished him
the leader OF our armies in war
4th. The Officers and Soldiers ofthe Mexican War:
They have by their deeds opened bright page in the
history Of their country, and clearly shown that in time
Of need we may rely upon our citizen soldiers
9Th. The Wing Party: Though too honest and indie
advice and the principles which they profess being
founded on eternal truth aAd JUSTICE and looking only
flo the good Of the country, must and will prevail
9Th. Henry Clay: The statesman to whom all eyes
are now turned Honest, pure, and patriotic in his pur
poses he will be recognised as the saviour OF his coun-
try, when those who defame him. will live but in
connection with the abuse they have heaped upon him.
7th Our distinguished question. ]. M. Bolts By
his dignied manly, and consistent course, his utter
disregard Of self and his devotion to the principles of
the party to which ne belongs while he has become
bah fhac
port of every true Wing in the District.
His are the faults which daring genius owes
| Halt to the ardour which its birth bestows."
This toast having been received with great cor
ldiality, Mr.. Boris rose and responded to it, as
follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen am duly sem
sibe, Mr.. President, of the many and lasting obi
cations that have been imposed upon me by my
friends in the county Of Powhatan 1t is not alone
the courtesy and kindness that have been extend
tc ne here to-day, nor the iattering sentiment.
Wfcil mas bsen so well received, in regard to my
| pest course, that command my earnest and heart
i felt acknowledgements but the generous conf
ldence which they have ever manifested since
frst. became in any manner politically connected
fwith them, entities them to my warmest gratitude.
1t is true, small portion of the Wings of this
county complained OF the course felt it my right
and my duty to pursue in the last Presidential
election and in the exercise of their right, and
what they Conceived to be their duty, they mani
tested their dissatisfaction at the polls. Of this
}make no complaint-for when look back at the
multiplicity of Misrepresentation, falsehoods, and
foul Galumnies that were circulated against me,
during that exciting period, my only surprise is,
that was able to command the vote ] did, Or in
other WORDS that so few of the masses of the peo-
tple were fnsled by them.
when I first received the invitation tn attend
this 1arbacue, which was rendered last fall, saw
fit, IN my reply, to speak with frankness and some
theugs4 With sevaritysaf paStions ct these who
| / conceived had treated me with unkindness and
harshness If any portion of the people, mean
of the masses of this district not themselves as
pirants) supposed, that in that letter. intended TO
! be personally offensive to them, they misunder-
stood it, and me- intended it only for few, that
did not believe to be entirely and exclusively pa
triotc and unsefsh in their opposition. Those
for whom did intend it, understood it full well
i the most irresponsible manner, they had INDUCED
in harsh and unworthy epithets against me in their
African Church address in the most responsible
manner chose to reply to it.
For the thousands of Wings in this district
who have ever treated me with kindness and
jconfdence that often fear ! may not have de-
served, | shall always cherish feeling of graft
tude and regard; for others who may have treated
me with unkindness, shall endeavour to remem-
Der them only to forget their unkindness; but for
| those more prominent in the party-and for whom
intended that letter especially-l have nothing
to repeat, nothing to add, and nothing to take back.
They made the war; they must be the first to pro-
4 pose peace; am the challenged party and it
does not become me to propose settlement; |
was the party first assailed and | will not be the
| first to say, "hold, enough" have, therefore,
tn 20 w
might be to receive them.
| Nor will attempt here to vindcate my course
in the last Presidential campaign, which, believe
in nearly twenty years of public service was the
| first occasion in which had not given entire sa-
tisfaction to the party to which | belonged No,
sir, that vindcation leave to TIME, that great
physician and healer of all difficulties and aflic
tons-that great exposer of all that is wicked, Vi
cious, or corrupt-that great defender and vind-
Gator of all that is true virtuous and PATRIOTIC
To TIME leave it, and TIME DiH Gf it has not
already done SOY establish the truth and correct
ness of all said and did on that occasion. 1t is
not my nature, Mr.. President, to look back either
to exult or lament over the past !; prefer to look
to the present, and press on to the future; and
with the present and the future, propose, with
your permission, now to DEAL and if you will ex-
tend to me your patience and indulgence, will
dismiss this subject, and proceed to give you my
views upon the general questions of national in
terest now presented for the consideration of the
public mind.
There are, sir, two parties in our country, dis
tinct from all the rest, of whom | wish to say a
word. The one in the North called "Abotion-
ists," and the other in the South, known as GO Dis
unonists." | am not sure for which of the two
parties have the least sympathy OR respect and
| am not sure to which attaches the largest share
of responsibility for the chief difficulties with
which the nation has been lately afflicted.
The abolitionists seem to estimate the value of
this Union, and to hold, as condition and price
for its continuance, the abolition African SIare
ry While the ultra men of the South, or dis
unonsts, seem to regard the perpetuation and ca
tension of slavery as the chief bond that can hold
them and the Union together. For neither of these
parties have any sympathy, I hold to the Union
for far different, and trust, higher and nobler
purposes. 1t is for the perpetuation of American
freedom, rather than the abolition or perpettation
of African slavery. am one of those who think
slavery in the abstract, is much obe deprecated;
and whilst think that as present organized in
tha Gyo,,tho.r Ctotac IL civili1ino