The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-07-21
prscussrsN At DUBUQUE.

napers ,ha, Mr.. Davis has had forti-
indie enough TO surmount the domestic al
which have recently oppressed
him. and stand forth as the champion OF,
the great principles which the people OF
district intend he shall represent and
maintain in the next Congress. Mr.. DAVIS
nigh, have been excusable ii he had permit
ted his family imisfortunes to prevent mn
from appearing as the public advocate oil
the cause which he has beea selected TO
defend. But he well knew that the Nm
ssrupalousness Of the proslavery partizans,
would grant him no immunity from insult
and Misrepresentation on that account, and
rather than the cause should suffer through
his uisfortunes, he has determined TO place
his own feelings in allegiance, and do mantui
battle for the truth and the right. This
determination will increase the ardor Of his
friends and the friends Of freedom through
on, the district, and unless We greatly mis-
take the feelings of our citizens, it will
also make his msjority larger than il would
have been under other Circumstances
The Dubuque Tri5sne says Mr.. Davis
left the sick bed Of his wife. tina, he might
not be charged with avoiding the appoint.
ment that had been made, and appeared TO
do battle for Free Labor and Free Speech.
Mr.. Letter commenced the discussion, and
spoke ia defence Of the Pierce administers
ton, Of the interests Of slavery, and in favor
of the Kansas bili-which ne has hereto
fore denounced, but which be now advocates
a. the sheet anchor OF liberty. We quote
from the Tri1sne:-
.Nr, Davis followed in an address Of
tAree-fourths Of an hour, more perfect, and
more effective, and more clearly defining the
rights and powers Of Congress, and OF the
Territoriee. than any to which we have
been permitted TO iisten. He carried the
audience with him (by whom he was contin-
uaHy greeted with the most enthusiastic
cheering) and entirely demohsned every
position taken by Mr., Letter"
In his second address, Mr.. LETTER, as Is
hi. custom, ignored any discussion OF prin'
ciples, and made . long personal attack
upon Mr.. Davis, the burden of which was
that some years ago Mr.. Davis was an own
~ of slaves which he sold, and that there
fore his opposition to slavery was hyPocrit'
ical.
CATER his close, Mr.. Davis replied that
he had owned slaves, that he brought two
nesresses with him from Nissouri-tha'
+ they Ltft him-that he did not know where
they zuc were, and that he had never tried
either to sell them or reclaim them, but al
lowed them to 20 and stay where they
pleased. and labor for themselves"
b This was regarded ty the meeting as q
VERY conclusive reply, and will be SO regard
ed by all who have heard or may hereafte'
hear tbs extremely silly charge Of Mr.. LEI
Ter. Mr.. Davis gave q very practical dem
onstration that he was not in favor OF th'
~fnpitiye slave law, and it clearly shows II
What great straits his antagonist is reduced
when the very peculiar relation which GU
candidate had with the peculiar institution
wears ago, is now brought forward to dis
credit the sincerity Of his opposition to the
extension Of slavery over territory rightfully
free. To our mind, and the minds OF al
candid men, the nature of Mr.. Davis for.
mer connection with slavery, Is the yer,
hes, proof OF the truthfulness Of his pres
On, professions of hostility to the agsres
s;ons Of the baneful system. OF the char
.c,er Of the meeting, the Tribune says
am, Davis then closed the discussion
.;4h /. few well timed and home replies
md the meeting was adjourned.
W. have never witnessed in Dubuque 81
noSie, manfy and general an expression 0
, interest in the Cause Of Freedom and fret
aI..hor. and of opposition to slavery exten
sion an was evinces last evening. Inc 40
yocstes of Slavery and of bogus Democrat
tremble for the result.
M. Davis and Mr.. Letter las will be seel
from the notice. will continue the canvas
Of the district"
We are pleased to thus learn that 1t is tn
;r,eotiop of Mr.. Davis to continue the can
vas. OF the district. We can promise hin
nhapdsorne majority in this county, whethe
We hear him or not, but ifhis time is not al
distributed, we would be much g~ratihed t
have him address the people of Scott coun
~; and il he does not do SO before the Au
gust Gle ction, he must, az a eiec
Of the next Congress, make US . speech DC
fore the election in November.
$50 HME&f #h4aA