Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-05-15
FROM pOwUaTaN COUNTY.

Ia fp fENDlJ ~ ~
PowHATAS, MAY 10, 1855.
On Monday last our Court came on, and rs 1t was
tho Inst public day that would occur till after the cleo
tiou, at an early hour there was a large multitude OF
our cit .ens upon the ground; aw",,tnS WIN ni': rhS
candidates for the Legislature, Mr.: Palmore AMI MI
Dabncy, by private arrangement having girch why
for the speakers from a distance, IN a short time tne
ros,rrn, On tho green was mounted by the Democratic
EIn.tnr fnr this Congressional District, the Hon. i.
EidJrr Mcnlo of Petersburg, who, i'll II speech oi two
hours ami n half, distinguished by profound thought,
extensive information, logical strength, and c!olnelc"
OF Il high order, gave a mastery exposition OF me
great issues OF the present caavasz. These Issues
were distinctly set forth. The know-Noliing party
was arraisnud for many high crimes and lnisdcii'cah-
ora, among which stood prominent its corrupiting or
yanization; its hostility to the genius and spirit ol our
republican institutions; its attempt, by means OF MD
night councils, TO stine public investigation, the very
basis upon which is grounded tho grind experiment
of this government. He showed it to be an attempt
Ia do away With merit as tho standard for fitness Tor
office. and institute in lis stead the adventurous CIR
cumstances of birth and educatiOn--H reasonable NJ
tempt to take the power which belongs to the people
and commit it TO the keeping OF a seli-cnrstltutcd
aristocracy, in whose organization merit does moi en-
ter as III element: to in;rust the instruction ~ mo
reopl,'s representatives to councils which are under
the control Of other high powers-State and National
Councils; thus para yzing the will and power Of the
individual constituency by tho dominant rule Of csli.
tralizcd authority.
The standard bearer Vi tNe NlI1lllln Democracy III
this rrrat contest, on which is pcrillcd the proserva-
tinn of our free institutions in their purity, the Hon.
Henry a. Wise, OF Accoinac, WINS defended gaiiautIy
nv the sneaker, and the party was effectively called
an IN rive their und; yided support Ia this ciiIrnlrots
cbun,ninu of the rights of the people and the Suites.
tn noble speaker vas followed by Mr. John En-
NETT Scrug.1, u native of Powhatsn' the present vil'or
of the FLOYD Intelligencer. who, III a harahsuc o' t"o
hours upon the subject Of cois!sleh.! =. 80 ,r;,L 49, 49,
special Illustrations, showed M acquaintance WIN the
marty connections Of many OF our dLstiiiGuisheu Nicu'
really surprising for one Of his age, but we 90 NOT ie-
member that he alluded TO the most important phiHse
of his subject, viz: CONSISTENCY on m"'1'FS y Prshc'I
oLs. The youthful orntOr seemed as il his experience had
not as yet carried him beyond the pale OF party organ
izations matters Of principle were still to be grasp"d,
aud it is to be hoped he will reach them IN time; We
rarne.tly beg the big-bugs Ill the parry, Whtrh ne hs
selected M his guardians, To pay especial attention 10
his training, for we presume he is rs yet Il pupil, mol r
teacher in this modern Israel.
Mr.. Scruggs wa. followed by Mr.. Charles Irving.
editor of the Lynclburg Republican, Who Delivered
certainly, the finest political effort that It was ever our
good fortune to hear. In strength AMI beauty we
| never heard it surpassed. In rich clnsslchlliy ot orna,
ment and illustration, III chas.encst, simplicity ana
rlearness of style, we never heard It eTualied ON the
hustings, and all melted down INTO one unique eh"rt;
direct, pointed and 10 the purpose, varicgateu ana
rendered pleasing by n copinubness u! anecdot', ana
a his,riunic power which savored not OF mlmicry, out
rose to that high order Of acting in lie true sense' not
an initiative talent, but q creative art. its eaeSl was
in pronortiun To is power. We never witnessed such
enthusiasm. 1t extiuguished the Know Nothing par-
ty in this county. Mr.. Irving's speech was the polish
cd, highly finished, richly "rnamented' but not less
solid capstonc of that nI.hty pyrulnid, whose mug
siyr Foundations. Mr.. Meade had laid, in which IA se-
pulchred a dead party, fl, mausoleum 10 chronicle the
remembrance of an extinct Order, and 10 teach the
Lesson of the vanity OF human Wishes aud the audsci'
Is Of human conduct.
After Mr.. Irving had concluded, Il few surv!vingio!-
lowers OF Sam called out for hr. Samuel 5. Weisige,r
of Amelia. The gentleman appeared and commenced.
but the crowd being greatly thinned by tho la'cNcss
of the evening he soon concluded.
Tie Democracy Of Powhatun will over ico! crate
full 10 Messrs. Meade and Irving for their service III
this campaign. They are in the highest spirits ana
will give Il lurger majority than usual for the kcpuo-
lican ticket. Yours, &c.
OyY OF THE YoUSo DEMOCRACY.