Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-12-31


Walter F. Leak President Of the North Carolina Electo
raj COLLEGE being conducted to the Chair returned his
thanks for The honor made the following admirable I'D
dress:
| Gentlemen of the Electoral College: return you my
warmest the nnmeritcd compliment you have JUS
bestowed in selecting me TO preside over your honofuoe "
dy. ,. L -
To say that do feel proud OF the honor you have now
conferred would be indulge Tuerle and unworthy afec
taon unbecomng the occaslon ana aose1hef al VARIANCE
| with the emotions of my bosom.
AT no period since entering into public life have been
called upon address an audience political or Otherwise IN
which aboed under great degree Of embarrassment M
do on the present occasion.
Ny embarrassment originates less from not knowing what
say than hoic to suy II; feeling know you and each
you and those around properly appreciate than
describe.
While have been ready under any and upon all
cas;ons 10 stand forth hnnbo advoca Of the prnci-
p!.s OF my party and that the hour OF their greatest
need now the battle having been fought and The victory
won feel disposition 10 indulge in any, the slightest re-
mark that may ne calculated 10 wound the feelings OF the
most sensitive gentleman present.
Yes In the language Of our distinguished political leader
with the OF noble highlnnded and generous Impulse,
the h0u. victory always the hour OF magnanimlty and
gentlemen need not say that such knoD are your senl-
mcnts.
That political controversy circumscribed within proper
limits both right and eommendabe, we presume 10 what
well informed man will deny.
will 20 further and say while it is tho very element
sus,ans the vessel OF State great care should be taken
the Of party feeling should be restrained with
in proper limits lest ts maevoencc should generate spray
and bcwe the pilots course and end IN the wreck OF the
whole ships crew.
we have been concndng and know and believe on both
sides honesy conending for principles we have met each
other before the proper FORUM and then and there entered In
10 our respective views of governmental policy and now
congratulate congratulate the American people upon
The verdict which this day to record
They The Jurors of the respective vicinages have decar
ed in thunder tones loud be unheard well too
significant to be misunderstood That The principles OF De-
mocacy handed down from political fathers,
the principles best calculated to mate us great pros
porous and happy people.
We have now met record that verdict by selecting
known entertain the principles which the majority OF The
lrecmen of North Carolina have endorsed.
Yes have here assembled, and organized ourselves
into Electoral College and in the presence OF this array
Of intelligence aud stability about 10 cast
for President and Vice President OF these United
States.
An important political rght right which, while il Illus
tracs both theory and practical operation Of govern
nent, prOcaims the world that American Democracy
rightly understood does consist ms has been falsely
charscd) n every mans governing himself but in every
nn'c having the right 10 choose his own Governor.
When say that Democracy is equality, we do nor
mean absolute but relative cquay not equality per but
kind Of equality consistent with the governor and go
vcrned.
American Democracy has much fem from erircmc
equality as from marked inequaity-as much from icen-
tousness which u liberty, as from aristo
cGacy, which is scion of monarchy.
No, gentlemen, Democracy as we have proclaimed it, is
conservative in its character and has not single eveng
trait
No man for moment doubts either the patriotism or
the intelligence Of either Of The great political parties
as the preservation OF common country and tho only diff
ference consists in the employed 10 ain that end
Patriotism, allow me TO cay, have often thought is
word little understood by hose who most noisy in its
Tia, is not patriotism which, by overlooking the mean
has single only 10 the end even though that end
should be national agara Indictment.
No national elevation should BIO pursued at the
oense OF national character.
Justice the love OF right the practice OF right for rights
sake these should always characterize the intercourse 81 ma
lions, rs well as OF individuals.
We should forget, in tho language OF the inspired
pcnsman "Iha righteousness exaeth nation, and ye
believe that any departure thercom will In due time re-
,eire its merited reirbulOn.
man has the natural right to the fruits Of his own In
usry he has right appropriate 10 his own use the
industry Of another.
So il is with nation ii has natural right TO improve
lis condition. but il has right 10 secure its own ng
.rsndizcDent al the expense OF another.
Such has been the OF the American people, nor
OF those who constitute the American Democracy.
They have always in the language OF the sage OF the Her
mtage asked nothing but what Is right neither will They
ever submit any thing that is wrong.
American Democracy, while il ever stands ready to Sc
good the greatest number has never yet
gone be ready embark crusade for the
oppressed Of all nations il will qu its own TO
sta UPON foreign ground
No. il stands nncxbIy opposed 10 the wild sway Of popn
nasspn the lust oil conquest and 10 the Intense era
wings OF hot blood for uwless qualification.
Such il Fourierism, Agraransm, Fanny "rghism, but
any Thing else than the Democracy have enforced
In conc'".:- ocn,lemen, let to you. that The
march n our principles Onward; but Victory does not at
ways drop like ripe fruit into the lap OF tho indoent.
There be alance, organization, and concentrated
effort secure IT, thank you again. gentlemen iof Inc
distinction conferred.