Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-11-19

out OF the pu0llc treasury, but not a. dollar to
bestow to mitigate the wants of nation of suffer-
ers. Such guardians of the Treasury are as i'm
potent to prevent waste, as they are successful
in bringing reproach upon their country
MR.. SUMMERS IN PETERSBURG.
The two Petersburg papers, of course, give
opposite accounts of the discussion that took
place, in that city, on Friday evening, between
Mr.. Summers and Mr.. Timothy Riyes, whom
the Democrats thought proper to put up as their
champion on the occasion. 1t is evident, however,
that the chief object of Mr.. Summers visit to
Petersburg was fully accomplished He was in
vited there specially to refute the unjust charge,
which originated with the South Side Democrat
that he was not to be trusted on the slavery
question. Neither paper gives anything like a
report of his remarks. The Democrat admits
thathe declared s'that his opinions of slavery are
not what they were in 1892" and claims credit
| tor being the instrument of his conversion
Unfortunately for this pretension Mr. Summers
course in the Convention conclusiyey establishes
| not merely change Of speculative opinions, but
positive acting up to the strongest principles con
interest. AS we showed yesterday, he was pc
culiarly influential in procuring the insertion in
the new Constitution of those important proys.
| ons, which perpetually inhibit the Legislature
| from either present or prospective emancipation,
and exempts slaves under twelve years of age,
from taxation. Acts speak more forcbly than
words. In 1882, Mr.. Summers held the opinion
that the Legislature might emancipate slaves, on
the principle of the general good; in the Conven.
ton he denied the existence of any such right,
but for greater security, voted to engraft the de-
NAL upon the fundamental law.
The Inelligencer thus refers to Mr. Summers
remarks on the charge concerning his opinions of
1882:
| Mr.. Summers rose, and after happy re ference to
| the circumstances under which he was placed pro-
ceeded to examine and to coniute the charge which
had been made against him of being an ABOLITION
IST. He did this IN manner and In splrlt--he did
il with force and earnestness that showed every
hearer that it not the mere pride of intellectual
strength but that 1t his hearts impulses that ami
mrted him in every syllable that he spoke. His aobolt
soul thrown into the NATTER and treadlng upon the
solid foundation OF conscience void OF offence, he
disspatcd to he winds the feeble iebrc which his
opponents had erected OF the materials of the le
gslauve session of lS31-32. 1t not the eoquence
with which he spoke although of high order; il
ments with which he bore down upon and crushed tina
ungenerous accusation, but il was the warm sincerity
which was evident throughout, that gave him powsi
and drew from the crowded hall the loud paudlls
which greeted him. He took up the subject OF his
speech and OF 1882, and after canddy and truly
representing The peculiar condition of excitement III
which the public mind then was-afler proving thai
the very measure IN favor OF which he spoke anC
voted was an Eastern one, and proposed by Demo
cat (Thos ]. RaadoPh) after sitting the proposition
aud stripping II of all the exlraneous and incorrec
versions which had been given OF 1.-THE declared, II
the most emphatic language, that the opinions which
he enterlained in 1882 WE'VE NOT THE oPIN
IONS WHICH HE HELD NOW As soon as he
uttered these words, voice was heard from the
crowd exclamng to him, s'Say that over again;" and
ne Immediately repeated The words.
The Democrat claims that Mr.. Rives was per-
fecdy overwhelming in reply. 1t seems that
like Mr. Bocock, he fully conceded, the unexcep-
tionable soundness of Mr.. Summers present
views, but contended that he should not be par.
doned:
general and indefinite avowal OF "change OF sen.
mant" and Ce handed to be informed what particular
opinion had been feuacied. Surprising Summers
ion TO be compete still 1t rather sudden
and late. Nor could he presume TO demand polIti-
cal promotion OF the people OF Virginia alter expires
-ng such sentiments as he cid in '32. The utmost he
can now claim Is forgiveness for the past, with
promise OF good behaviour tor the lulure.'
TO this argument, Mr. Summers replied by
showing how the Democrats themselves ignored
all objections Of the kind TO Mr.. Mcdowell in
1912, and supported him on the broad ground as
stunned by Mr. Leake and Mr.. Edmunds, that the
opinions man held in 1882 are not to be brought
M against him as proof of unsoundness.
OF Mr. Summers second speech, the Intelli-
gencer says
In this, his final effort he surprisingly power