Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-10-24
From the Norfolk Argus

The rally at Ashland Hall Monday night would
have done honor to our "old Borough" in the zenith
of her Democratic strength, when she cast Inaor'y
OF votes for the present faithful Incumbent ut the Elk
ecutive chair, and the secret wlles OF Know No
thugism had lured so many of our people esrsy had
broken their allegiance to the Constitution and taught
them new faith, which We awfuiy fear will end in
drloyalty treason to our Southern institutions.
The weather was incemcnt; the wind blew to
full gale, and the rain oated in drifting showers on
the blast but the spirit Of Democracy was undIs
mayed by the howlings OF the storm without. They
came to the Hall rs, with stout hearts and Determined
purpose, they will come to the rescue OF their cOun.
Try on the ides OF Novemb and they gave to the dis
tiuguishsd stranger from Richmond such reception
only gallant and patriotic men know how 10 give.
Never than while looking upon the scene before us
and listening to the lofty strains Of eoquence that
fell like gushing torrent from the accomplished
speakers lips have we felt prouder Of connection
with this noble old party Well and happily did MIR.
Lyons draw an augury of success from the deep
toned enthusiasm before him, and we have no Tears
that the Democracy of Norfolk will dissppoint his
prophecy.
The speech of James Lyons, at Ashland Hall Tues
day night would have won hun laures before the
elite OF any land-betore the lovers vi civil Liberty In
any Cline where noble sentiments or scorn for pulltl.
cal knavery, have found habtaon IN the hearts OF
tn. people, His graphic and thrilling description Of
the crisis that has been brought upon US by The dis
organizing spirit Of the times, was we'll calculated to
awaken the patriots feara With apencH OF light he
traced the OF this fanAcal crusade against
the South-her generous forbearance IN every issue
that threatened the peace Of the country up to the
present moment, when in unblush T.; arrogance 1t
claims 10 rule the destinies of this lnent by the
Acknowledgement OF fifteen Tree, sO'cre-h AUD lnde-
pendent States of the Union That there was danger
of Fremvnts election, and that disruption or dishon"r
must inevitably follow this catastrophe, hs DID not
pretend 10 deny; aud for himsey, there was NOT I"
poment's hesnancy (which Of the two to choose. -
From these dread alternatives he showed plainly that
but one constitutional mode of escape was open be-
fore u.s. and that in the triumph I'll the Democrat
c party. All else mere pretelHon-poitlcai
stock Ubbing and gambling Tor the Presidency, be-
fore rotten House of Representa- ves, whose dec-
siuns against Southern equality were already fore
Swallowed in tho dsgraceiul doIugs OF its lust sessiOn
where cried the inpassloned orator, ~ the South
eru marriott Wing Democrat, or Know Nothing, who
would be willing to trust the honor OF bis country,
the peace of his freside, and tue sanctty vi his
household gods TO such ruthless and unscrupulous
hands I" .,,,
The description which Mr.. Lyons gave Of "Old.
Liue Whiggery, hanging on the coat skirts oil sam
and begging for stand puint upon his ricKe'y pat
form, was udcrous in the extreme, and called iorth
shouts of good humored applause from Inc entire
house. Help me, Casslus, or sink, Is now inc cry
of this eT.te party to the very mlscrean VINO nr't
struck down the pillars of their ancient iaorlo lhat
all of them will sink together when election DAY Is
over no sensibl. observer of the times can Tor mo-
ment doubt.
Bu, we would not spoil this eloquent address by
sucb ,neapre synopsis Us our time and duties vii! al
low. Pure in taste classical in style, anu rch III pa
trotic sentiments it was every way worthy vi Inc
great cause to which it was devoted.
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