Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-26


brief sketch Of the debate between Messrs
Millson (antD and Watts (American) eandi
dates for Congress, which took place at Charles
City Courthouse on Thursday last The edi
tor of the Beacon was present and therefor,
the account is reliable:
Z After dinner the speaking commenced Gen
Millson TO lead of in speech Of two hours, ant
Captain Watts to have the same length to reply.
Our true and excellent stated that he wa
not thereto defend his position or votes in tn,
past, and would not do Tit was impossible TO
bis constituents to endorse all Of he more thar
5000 votes he had given while in Congress--bu
he would touch upon living issues. By whom, h,
asked, was he opposed? Not by the old Whig
party--that ancient and venerated party which
had heretofore opposed him. Oh! no--he woulc
It were so, His opponent was before him, but h'
was no longer a Wing; he had un-whigged him
self He was opposed now BY tangled ane
Invisible party. He then took up the Know-Noth
ings, and devoted the remainder Of his remarks
to them, being the same old speech which he hal
delivered in other places, with the addition of ,
portion Of his harangue in Norfolk last Tuesda,
night Our readers are already informed on these
points, and we need not rcpublish them now.
Captain Watts. arose TO reply He mentioned
that it was the first time he had ever had the plea
sure of meeting his fellowctizens of that county
and to enjoy their hospitality. Captain Watts wal
troubled with hoarseness, which up to the time
he commenced he was apprehensive would prevent
his peaking; he apologized, therefore; but in
de'd there was necessity for apology for it was
scarcely perceptible after he had proceeded in his
remarks. He referred to his opponents lodging
the main point--giving an account of his steward.
ship; he called attention to the fact that General
Millson had voted against the Nebraska BILL along
with all the abolitionsts Of the North while every
other Democratic member from Virginia, and
nearly every man from the South, ofboth parties,
had voted for II; he had voted against the French
Spoliation bill and the Railroad Iron BILL in both
Of which his constituents were interested; he had
also voted against the Old Soldiers Bounty Land
bill, notwithstanding he had been requested by
the Legislature to vote for it. This General N.
denied. Captain w. then read the resolution,
which instructed the Senators and requested the
Representatives from Virginia to vote for bill
giving to the soldiers land to the amount OF one
hundred and sixty acres. He did not dwell upon
these points, he merely referred to them TO let
the people know why bis opponent refused to give
an account Of his stewardship. He then proceed
ed to defend Che party which nominated him from
the assaults Of his opponent, and he did 1t most
effectually--his vindication was complete; every
point Of his opponent was taken up and answered.
The threat made by General Millson here that he
would mako Captain Watts back out from the first
resolution, was attended with most signal failure.
General M. read the first proposition, (that we
will vote for no man except born on our sol, and
asked Captain W. if he approved it
81 do" was the reply.
"Suppose the wife of an American Minister at
Paris was to give birth to son, would you vote
for him?"
81 would" he replied.
3 Tha,, ooyu tho Ganoral Won would hack ont
from the resolution, for he was not born on our
soil, being born in Paris.
" Watts--Would you vote for that same person
to be President of the United States9
Mllson-Certainly.
Watts-Then the gentleman will violate the
constitution, according to his own argument, which
says that none but native of the United States
shall be President, and he would not be native
Of the United States, for he is native of France.
This undoubtedly startled the General, for he was
completely used up by his own argument.
Captain Watts then proceeded to show up the
Generals bubble in its proper light; he showed
that he was considered by our laws as born on our
soil, and as a native of the United States.
He then referred to the fourth proposition, to
dsprove the charge Of religious persecution which
had been made by his opponent, and quoted from
Barrow (which Gen. Milson had quoted from his
speech as reliable authority to prove that the
Popes do claim temporal az well as spiritual pow
err He maintained that If the Catholics denied
that power, they were In fact Protestants, and
did not come within the scope Of that proposition
"In reply to Gen. Wilson's charge that the
Know Noihings were bound to obey the viii of
the majority he said that was the case In all par
ties. Every man who went into Democratic
convention was considered bound 10 abide by It's
'cisions II he does not his head is cut of aud
he is denounced as traitor, while in the Ameri-
can party he can withdraw when he chooses.
Captain Watts's speech was well received
indeed, We may say II was enthusiastic lily re-
ceived his anecdotes and happy retorts caused
much laughter, particularly his excellent burlesque
on sending foreigners to represent US abroad. His
defence Of the American party elected frequent
rounds Of applause"
The editor Of the Beacon, in reference to the re-
suit in Charles City county, says:
"While waiting for the speaking to commence,
we mixed around in the crowd, and conversed with
many gentlemen on matters political, &c. No
doubt was entertained but that Captain Watts
would be elected by handsome majority. II was
believed that Wise and Millson could not get more
than fifty votes in that county--out off expect
ed poll Of 800.
1--WE learned that q convention Of delegates Of
the American party from the counties Of Charles
city, James city, and New Kent, was held there In
the morning, and nominated Colonel wa. Boush
for the House Of Delegates. We afterwards learn
ed that the opposition had brought out John p.
Pierce, of New Kent "a Wing and eI-Know- No
thing) as tie anti American candidate. No doubt
Is entertained Of the election Of Boush.n