Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-04-03

The appearance Of this gentleman upon the Hus-
tings in support of the nomination of Mr. Fillmore
10 one Of the most gratifying signs of the times
Long retired from active participation in politics
calm, sagacious and impartial observer, his judy
ment public affairs, to men, patriotic and dsin-
terested like himself is worth more than that of
thousand brawling partisans.
gentleman who present has given us some
interesting particulars of the circumstances under
which Mr.. Bruce brought before the meeting
The Court House was densely crowded and Mr. Flour
nov had Just concluded one OF those brilliant and
animated harangueS which make him the delight OF
his friends and the terror OF his adverSaricS when
call made for Mr.. Bruce. Long out of politics.
no one knew certainly his position, and Democrats
Joined in the call boistcrously As WhigS-in the
hope that he might turn up on their side. The he
stating manner in which he approached the stand
and commenced his address kept up the doubt and
hope. He opened by stating that, before he would
proceed, there certain matter which must he
explained to his satisfaction. CAT this the Demo
Gratis pricked up their and looked hopeful II
had been pronounced by high authority--not LegiS-
latve-uot judical-but Erecutice-that the sup
porters Of Fillmore mulattocS; (here the De
mocrats began to hang their heads If that the
case, this meeting unlawful aSSemblage, and
should be dispersed and lac, law-abding, law
loving citizen should he in favor of that proceeding
He submitted the question OF law TO his friend the
Commonwealth Attorney Mr. Green. llereup-
on, there would have been a stampede of the Demo
crazy but Tor the dsasty Of the crowd and the i'm
possibility of escape. those who remained were,
we may hope, amply compensated for the forced
put TO which they Were subjected.
Mr. Bruce in speech, manly, animated and Wig
orous, ayowed his entire satisfaction III the nomi
nation of Mr.. Fillmore. aud declared the pleas
ure he would take in giving to his election al
earnest support lie a man. who had beer
tried--tried thoroughly-tried under circumstance.
which proved that he might be safely trusted ANY
where and at all times. For himself, he wanted n,
pledge from such HIS life and his actions
pledges enough for him. la his opinion, they
constituted the very best pledges a public mai
could give, or the people desire. As TO his being
Northern with Southern feelings, he Alr b.
should spurn and deSpise him, if he CMr F. la,
ever protested himself such. lie supported hin
because he was an AMERICAN, with AMERICAN
FEELINGS, true to the Constitution and laws all,
true to the whole and 10 every portion Of the Rcpub
lie
Our informant remarks that il a curious com
cidence, that at the very time when James L
Bruce, who happens to own some fer negroes wa
declaring his confidence and his admiration for Sir
Fillmore, in the court room below some little maj
was holding forth up stairs To a democratic meeting
and although he was innocent of owning Il Niger
toenail, he was in the greatest possible alarm lie.
Fillmore should storm universal negroIom
We hope and believe, that the pubic appearance
of Mr. Bruce is sign Of aU awakening Of the larg
class men Of whom lac is a fair sample who driv
en- by party violence disgust at the prevailing cx
cesses of faction, have sought quiet and sefreSpec
in private life We have known for many year
men the best fitted by education, by moral and il,
felectpal qualities, for public usefulness, were il
retirement The remark is not intended 10 be con
fined to members of the wing party; it is applicable
(though perhaps to 4 less extent to the Democrat
&c party. The wisest, the most conservative and tn
most trustworthy members OF that party like Tia
same stamp Of men among the Wings either over
ridden by npudent aud worthless demagogues. o
disguised with the rage Of faction have been cone,,
TO consider " the post of honor the private station
The consequences have been what might have bee
anticipated. The conduct of public affairs fell int
hands both fathless and incompetent and now W
all have TO deplore the condition of our State
may be yet time to repair the mischief Of the past
and prevent that which is lowering in the future
But the order of men to whom we refer must pu
their shoulders to the wheel and atone by Increase
energy hereafter, for the remissness of the past