Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-07-21
Goa. Wel,er's Speech.

On thursday night last, we had the pleasure o
listening to speech delivered in the Courthouse
in this place, by the Hon. J. B. WELLER, for
merly, of Ohio, and now Democratic United
States Senator from California The honorable
gentleman maintained throughout a courteous
bearing towards his opponents, and even went ST
far as to euloglse some Of them, as Mr.. CLAY, MIR
FILLMORE, Gen. TAYLOR and Gen. ScoTT a;
soldier. The speech, delivered in an easy
pleasant manner, was very agreeable to listen to,
but very difficult to characterize. 1t was in good
degree political, ofcourse; to sCme extent personal
relating to the speaker; and mainly discursive, on
matters and things in general. In word, we
have heard no speech like it since the celebrated
two days. harangue of the Hon. ANDREW STE
vESsoN, al the same place in le4S.
We took no notes of the speech, and from mem
DRY can alude to only few matters discussed OF
touched upon in it. Col. WELLER declared that
the present political contest was one of principle
purely, and consequently he declined saying much
about the candidates. He said it was impossible
HOW W doSCitlili QlllCECliCS DOt"SCH WV WV
parties from their respective platforms. The only
question in reference to which he thought the diff
ference between them irreconcilable was that re-
lating to the further acquisition OF territory by the
United States. He avowed himself in favor OF
annexation, until the whole continent should be
embraced in one government, but without conclud-
ing on that topic, wandered off to censure the
Wings for their opposition to the Mexican war.-
He alluded specially to Secretary CoRwtN in this
connection we, however, and no doubt some 9TH
ers present, were forcibly reminded Of Mr.. CAL
HouE's denunciation of the war as unnecessary
and fraught with evils to the country.
On returning to the subject of territorial acqui-
sition, Col WELLER informed the audience that
a proposition had been made to the present Admin
isration for the annexation ofthe Sandwich Islands,
which was promptly rejected. the Democracy
had been in power, he said, those beautiful islands
would now be part Of the United States terrific
ry. Let is hear no more then about that letter OF
Gen. SooTT's, in which he expressed sentiments
favorable to the annexation Of Canada, under GER
tain circumstances. we have now Democratic
testimony that the Democracy are in favor of the
same sort of thing and that it is the great ques-
ton with them.
The Col. came out boldly in opposition to Kos
sUTH's doctrine of intervention, notwithstanding
the silence of his party platform Oh the subject
He, however, is in favor of some kind Of interven-
ton Oh this continent which he did not define so
as to be clearly understood.
He blamed the Wings very much for nomina-
ting Gen. ScoTT over those distinguished states
men WEBSTER and FILLMORE, who deserved so
well of their party but made no alluson 10 the1act
that CAss, BUCHANAN and others had been laid e.
side by their party for Gen. PIERCE lie dePrc
Gated the election of Gen. ScorT, military man
fresh from the army, but evidently thought Gen.
PIERCE not General 'onoaght 10 hurt" lie an
nounced that the country wanted 10 military lead
er for the Presidency, but an experienced able
statesman, and wound up with the declaration that
Gen. PIERcE's only claim upon the people was
that he was respectable gentleman of good talents
and sound Democrat g.