Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1853-01-01
A Capital Speech.

VIZ iiahc tiic iouoNihg cAudtt truIl u speech
recently delivered in the city of Richmond Va,
by Mr.. T.aoMAs RTcHIE, Sr, the celebrated Ex-
Editor of the Union and Enquirer. The speech
was delivered on the occasion of the Democratic
Festival held in that city sometime last MONTH
Mr.. Richie was justly looked upon for nearly
half century, as one Of the ablest and most in
fiuential political Editors in America. This
speech, which is in excellent taste shows that he
can talk as well as write. The Richmond Exam
iner says that the old gentleman was looking ex-
ceedingly well on the occasion, and seemed very
much pleased at the many tokens Of respect and
genuine good VIII which was showered upon him
by the vast crowd. He was called out by the fol-
lowing sentiment.
By w. A. Patterson, President--Thomas Ritch-
lie, Sr: A Virginia political patriot tried true
and trusty. He has lived to witness and partake
of rich harvest home, from seed of his own
sowing.
As soon as the toast was announced MIR. Ritch-
lie rose to address the meeting. He begged them
to shear him for his cause, and be silent that they
might hear" He also reminded them that "order
was Heuven's first best law" He then proceeded: :
1t is eight years since addressed the Spartan
Band of this city-eight years since met the
Democratic Electors Of Virginia face to face
eight years since have associated with the mem
bers of the Legislature at the festive board. 1t
was on the first Wednesday of December, 1874,
had the honor of presiding at the Electoral Din
ner, which was called forth by the election of
James X. Polk.
Little did then dream that my destiny was so
soon to transfer my fortunes to different region.
But naver would have left Virginia without car
rying her principles with me. felt like the an
cent Roman, bearing his household gods along
with him. l would never have consented to go
to Washington, but upon the most positive assu-
RANGES from Mr.. Polk, that he intended to conduct
his administration upon the Jeffersonian princi-
pies, 10 which l had been devoted for so many
years. How faithful he was to his engagements
how true to these principles, let the whole course
of his brilliant administration attest Let the tar
if of '46let the effectual separation of the nan-
ces of the Government from the business of the
Banks--let the noble veto which he launched
forth against the system of Internal Improve
ments-let the strict construction of the Constr
tuition, attest. Let the complete annexation OF
Texas let the glory of our arms, and the extern
sion of our territory to the Pacificlet the proud
station which we occupied in the eyes Of the most
distant nations, bear witness to his ability, firm
ness and services.
But a dark day succeeded. The election and
the administration of Gen. Taylor--the agitation
of the slavery question-the Compromise, which
was designed to save the Union-the discussion it
provoked, and the feuds it produced, came on in
rapid succession. Upon all these transactions
am prepared to render you an account Of my hum
bic stewardship. But better spirit has now
arisen to acquiesce in what has been done, and
to insist upon the condition of its finalty. Touch
not Saguntum. Garry out especially, in all good
faith, the Fugitive Slave law. Should fanaticism
ever be permitted to carry that stronghold, then
comes the darkest day we have ever seen. This
blessed Union, for which we have all watched
and worked, must be buried under the ruins OF
the Constitution.
But brighter star has now risen above the
horizon. After eight years of separation, my
friends, we have met again under the happiest
auspices. The work which the Electors of Vir-
gnia have this day assembled to perform in the
Capitol, announces this glorious result. We meet
in the midst Of the most brilliant triumphs we
have ever achieved. Never were the brows of
the Democracy bound with more victorious
wreaths. Never was any President elected by
so overwhelming popular and electoral majority
as Franklin Pierce. It's amount surprises the VIC
tor almost as much as the vanquished. Never
did this good Old Dominion pour fourth so pow
erful chivalry. She has run up her majority
to fraction less than $4,000. Her political con-
duct, indeed, has covered her over with glory
She has never given Federal vote for President.
She has uniformly shewn herself superior TO all
M i Ill In otrat-
ing to her Jewels, she points in spirit higher
than the Mother of the Graccbi, to her principles
more than to her sons. She has never sacrificed
those principles to their aspirations. Gen Har-
rison sought her suffrages in vain. Mr.. Clay ap-
peared before her in all his greatness in vain
The friends of Gen. Taylor urged his nativity in
vain. And when the victor of hundred battles
appeared in the ield, Virginia firmly and respect
fully put by all bis claims, and gave her heart and
her vote TO citizen of the granite bills OF New
Hampshire.
1t Is, indeed, glorious victory which you are
now celebrating. There is every thing about it
to enhance its value and its lustre. Mark some Of
its fruits,
II cuts off that military dynasty which aas
nroyed so fatal to 90 many republics. Il rebukes
IN manner never to be forgotten, the tricks and
the humbugs Of determined opposition New
er was a more Objectionable system Of election
eering adopted in free country From the
coon-skins and the hard-cider-through all the
mysteries Of the 'ysllow-kiver,' down to the
double-faced Democrats-the opt'guas rooes
which have been scattered ov.r the land-which
would have represented your candidate to the
south as an Abolitionist, and reviled him as
Shareholder to the north, the system has gone on
from election to election but we trust IN heaven
it will now be abandoned. Franklin Pierce has
defied and withsood all the Misrepresentation
that have been poured out upon him, and we hope
that the moral lesson viii mot be lost upon his oP-
ponents-