The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-23
From the Equal RIGHTS. miss. !

Hon. J. DAVIS, AND Hon. w. McWnLE.-
On Friday last, the 18th inst, Hons J. DAVIS and
MELVILLE addressed the people of Holmes coun-
ty, at this place. The crowd was immense say
SIX or eight hundred. COL Davis opened the
speaking in one OF his most mastery efforts. He
was received with great applause. After thanking
the people for the kind manner in which they had
received him, he told them that their rights had
been trampled upon, that the Constitution had been
violated, that it was useless for the people Of the
South to look to the halls OF Congress for proec-
ton, that they had to rely on their own stout
hearts and strong arms, for that protection which
the Constitution had promised them.
He depicted in .,"
"Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn"
the late outrageous acts of Congress which
trampled the rights of the South in the dust He
took up each of the bills of Congress, called the
Compromise measures, and showed to every i'm
partial mind the great injustice done the South by
their passage. No man certainly could have lis
tened to the facts and arguments Of that great and
good man without coming to the conclusion, that
the rights of the South had been ruthlessly as
sailed and tramped upon, that the Constitution
had been violated, that the late measures of Con-
gress termed the Compromise, were aggressions
and nothing else, upon the rights Of the South
TO say that the speech was able, eloquent, argu-
mentatlve and conclusive, is saying nothing more
than 1t justly deserves. He handled without
gloves, those traitors to the rights of the South
who laid aside their aleg lance to their constituents
for the sake of national reputation. He told the
people that some of the very men who had been
only short time ago denounced, condemned, de-
rded, and abused, were now held up to the
country as the purest patriots Of the land.
What has caused so great change in the minds
of many: All, we think we can answer this ques.
ton-it is for the sake OF pary-it is for the sake
of a national reputation," on the part of some
| This Is the way SO great change has "come
over the spirit of their dreams" They love party
| hpft han tIa rInhtc np tha
"nat'onal reputation" better than all things be.
sides. After Col. Davis had concluded his truly
eloquent and elegant address:
! Col. Melville was introduced to the audience
and he too, gave the late measures of Congress q
severe scathing. His arguments against those in
famous measures, were powerful and conclusive.
In fact, they might be termed, in homely phrase,
real knock down arguments. He dwet upon the
Acknowledgement of Texas, with peculiar force and
power, and showed conclusvely, most conclr-
slvely, that the only reason why the General Gov
| eminent should want to purchase Texas soil, was
to turn it into Free-so
His remarks to the ladies God bless them)
who graced the occasion with their bright eyes
and sweet smiles, truly elegant and appro-
pirate. He told them that some of the men might
be dastards enough to desert their rights, yet the
iadies were always patrlotic-he called to mind
IN the most vivid language, the suflerings the
tolls, the priyations of the of the revou-
ton he insanced their giving up every thing for
the cause Of right and justice, and asked them if
they would be less patriotic, in of necessity
than their patriotic mothers of '76. He said that
1t was SANDER to think otherwise. After the speak
ing concluded, the company repaired to a sump-
tuous barbecue, prepared for the occasion. - :.
AT night, a most elegant supper was prepared
by that most worthy host, h. Hester, and the gay
slipped the light fantastic toe' to their heart IS
content" So ended the great Davis barbecue.
The Lexington brass band, headed by their ac-
| complished leader, Mr.. Kendall, favored the occa-
sion with their splendid and martial music. The
committee of arrangements tender to them their
most sincere thanks,