Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-10-23

According to appointment, Col. ]. B. Cobb, and j.
Pheah Esq, met il discussion in this city, on Thurs
day last. The opening portion of Col. Cobb's re-
marks devotes on us the necessity of setting him right
in matter in which he manifested more feeling than
good taste. We infer that Col. Cobb labors under
the impression that had sought the discussion with
the view Of venting personal spite against him in
dividuay. In this he labors under more ia
tai to himself than to US. We have spite against
the gentleman-never had and the discussion which
grew up between Mr.. Phelan and himself through our
instrumentalty was, as Mr. Phelan will state, the re-
suit of mere casual conversation, brought about
without any premeditated design part Il this is
questioned in any quarter, Mr. Phelan answer a.
gainst U.S. if we have mis-stated the facts.
Ono other point. Col Cobb seemed to misappre-
bend the terms of the discussion drawn up by his
friend, the editor ofthe Argus. We give the subjects
for discussion, published by the Argus, EEK
tra." 1t reads thus
1.-THE discussion to be confined to thereative merits
of the Wing and Democratic candidates for the Pre-
sidency and Vice Presidency and the merits of the
platforms adopted by the late Baltimore Conventions
These were the subjects for discussion, and we APP
peal to every man who heard Mr.. Phelan to say,
whether his opening speech not devoted entirely
to defence of Gen. Pierce and his Congressional
and Senatorial votes upon the subject of slavery No
man will deny in this community, that an effort has
been made, to prove Gen. Pierce, not only unreliable
to the South but that his has been such as to
render him obnoxious to the charge of being opposedto
the enforcement of the fugitive slave law. This has
been done by aperveson of his votes and speeches.
How did Mr.. Phelan meet these charges! He took
his Congressional record, and followed Gen. Pierce
through both Houses of Congress, and established by
them record chain of evidence, that defes criticism
and challenged denial After passing through the re-
cord, he took up Col Cobbs printed Speech and ex-
hibted in a powerful manner its character. He
brought the statements of that speech the record
and he proved their unfarness-we shall use no harsh
er term, though the facts warrant it.
Was this abandoning the discussion Phelan wa:
here to defend Gen. Pierce, not only from the unfair
ness of Col Cobb, but ali others. That he did it sue
cessuly may be inferred from the fact, that Colone
Cobb did not meet the record evidence presented by
Mr.. Phelan. Was this abandoning the subject of dis
cusson we say, No The merits of the Presidential
candidates, and the Platforms were the subjects ant
when Col Cobb logged in the expenditure of the ad
ministration, the mileage of Senators, John Van Blu
ren's opinions in lS4S, the Orange county meeting
another such matters, it seemed that the discussion
was confined to anything else, but the candidates
the platforms.
Mr. Phelan had not the time allowed him to take u
the subjects of debate and do justice to himself an
them. He could but incidentally touch Gen. Scott
he did not get the platforms, and knew he wan,
ed half an hour to devote to Them. He devoted hi
opening speech to the subject he deemed most impor
tant, and had in his 80 minutes reply only time t
notice Col. Cobb's remarks, and glance at the pos
ton of.Gen. Scott.
As speak eEr. Phelan is fervent, close, crushing
His review of the recordwas simple pointed, and cor
elusive. He handles his subject with Skill his fac
with force, and his arguments with address. His sa
casm is biting, his denunciation terrific his wit appt
SITE We have heard but opinion expressed in re
gard to speech by friends, and that is satisfat
ton.
We must do Col. Cobb the justice to say, that
: extended to Mr. Phelan, Is minutes time more tina
the arrangement allowed. Mr. P's voice having fai
ed, used but few minutes of it,