Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-10-10
POLITICAL.
From the New York Journal Of Commerce, Oct J.
MONSTER MEETING OF NEW YORK MER-
CHANTS.

SPEECH OF EX-GOy. FLOYD OF VIRGINIA
In compliance with the invitation OF all iminens
number of the merchants OF New lorK, EHuo'
Floyd of Virginia, delivered an address, yesterday a
trrnoon, the great political questions 4 tne aa1
from a platform in front of the Merchants ERcnahgs
A desire to hear a reply TO the miscellaneous an
suggestions embodied in the recent speech oil SPEAK
er Banks at the same place, was almost UNIVERSE
among the leading business men OF the cliy. MlnR
led with this was also wish to show 10 the world
by some decisive demonstration, that the merchant
OF New York are, they ever have been, the uu
tnrlIlIg friends of the Constitution end the Cnior
and 10 give practical contradiction to the assertion
of the Black Republican presses to the contrary.
Long before the hour Of speaking, the merchant
began TO leave their wharves and Their counting
rooms and flock TO the spot. All tho ad'ah,aseou
points for seeing and hearing-the steps anu pilh,
OF the Exchange, the doors aud windows OF inc oula
ngs the vicinity, the brick pile Of tue cor Lei
William street. were promptly OCCUPIED. Qute
number Of adventurous ,h .ns !"
the demonstration they could not hear the speeen
took their pernus position the neishboring ROOFS
As the minutes rolled Oh, the crowd m"'nrniailly IN
creased until about half past three CLOCK, 'ne Vas'
space in front Of the Exchange and extending "es
tery quarter Of block beyond William street and
eas;er,v half way from Hanover to Pearl street was
filled with human beings.
W. should estimate the number present, al from
700 to 10000 ls WAS at least fifty per cent larger
Than The Banks meeting, although the latter comprised
a large aggregate Of Buchanan and Fillmore Iiei H.
however the number then present was 4""o" aS es!i
mated BY some Of the Black Republican PAPERS tGe
number at Yesterdays meeting was at isasl "o,o"u ~
wis instructive to note how many well known faces
OF the leading men New York, were To be seen III tue
midst tue vast trong. AT the Banks denonsrat'"n'
il was n subject of remark that most ot the people
who gathered TO hear him Except the Buchanan anu
Fillmore menD were evidently strangers to tho street
aud to this part of the town. Here the audience were
evidently on their ground, ana their eager coun!e-
uances seemed to say that they were there !" admin
islrr a lasting rebuke TO those who, by intrudiug
th.ir i,nHin had sought 10 mlsreprcStut lnelT
views To the world.
Gov FIov,i's speech which we present in full, Tas
received n, first with calm and earnest attention. AS
the orator kinded with his theme, The audience Gradu
ur warmed up with him, and responded win the
most enthusiastic plau,lits Whenever the speaker
touched upon the topics of the Constitution and me
Onion, the applause WAS immense. Cheers arose, as
ii f.om man, hats were waved, am Il "a' some
moments before the speaker could resume ms REMARKS
A. by one, he blew up the facts and figures OF Mr.
Banks speech the delight oi the audience manifested
Itself IN laughter and cries OF good, That true
and other expressions of approval. As Gov. Floyd
proceeded The applause Increased, and The people III
the outskirts of the throng pressed in, with the VAN
hope of getting near the stand, and thousands. who
were hupcIessly prevented by their distance, trom
hearing a word, still fingered about the spot, and con-
tented themselves with putting in cheers Whenever
everybody else cheered The entire speech occupied
tours, and yet the entire area within hearing dis
taure continued densely packed and only those drop
p, oil who were beyond shot, and knew that they
would find the speech reported in the papers vi tins
morning. Taking it all i'll all, THE demonstration Is
Of the most Significant features OF Tue oampaiSn
combining il did, an array oil intelligence, wealth.
and patriotism, such "a they have never before seen
called ont at political meeting in this city.
At half past three o'clock, the President called the
meeting to order. He then introduced TX Governor
Floyd, who was received with loud and long conti-
nu-! cheering. When this mad ceased the Governor
proceeded to speak as follows
EX-GOV. FLOYD'S SPEECH.
Mr. FRESHEST AND GENrLENES THAT power
s indeed here which has spoken into existence COM
nsrce and spirit of enterprise without parallel IN
history or 8u equal on this earth. From the utter
most extremes towards the north and south poles, the
flag ri the confederacy, with all s stars and stripes.
la, borne witness to this spirit of enterprise, and
,efe il not har6or where the sa waves roll their
tides which this commerce has not laid under cOnri
buttons TO nil the Golfers and proclaim the glory OF
your city. There is an especial propriety in your
assembling at this particular uncturc 10 consider, de-
b-ra;ey but earnestly, upon the noentous state OF
affairs which surrounds us. The commercial infu-
ence of Nrw York is deservedly very great through.
oU the whole confederacy, and in whatever direction
it may Ia exerted, confidence in its conservatism is
10 he felt by al-even II the wisdom Of the de-
csion Is not always fully admitted. At no former pc.
Rod of oar history have the political affairs of the
country assumed mnre alarming shape than at the
present moment. 1t is not to be disguised, that a
sectional party limited by the geographical line which
separates the saveholdng from the slaveholdine
States il thoroughly organized, and claims strength
enough 10 elect their candidate. This party II must ot
admitted, IL tOrnludDie Tor us
pre.emneDtly 50 from the remarkable combinations
Of the Influential press OF the North, enlisted in III
support. This peculiar sectional feature ct the pend
ing Presidential canvass gives to the Issue It's especla
significance. and viii add, invests WIN us inds
pu,able dangers. Our government IL the c"nieGcra
tnn of equal sovcregus; equal IN rights, privileges
powers and dignity, and ''nnulahly 80, az long ~
the Constitution il maintained, IN lis spr't ana III IL
letter. To disturb this coequaty Is I" strike tnta
blow az the Union itself as II exists under the Con
s.i;utio aad if Submitted TO will in the progress ot
vrs f,.w years, Us effectuslly suovert lhe presei
form of government disun:on ITSELF 10 avert I'M
catastrophe is the duty OF every patriot. lAppaus'
think but announce sentiment universal IN ID
bosom Of every true American patriot, when deciar
that there is deep repugnance 10 the very idea Of ar
raging section ofhs confederacy against heotheI
TO do when there s good ground for Jealousy
heartburninss, and chickering's. is aeporable to DO
without sufficient, cause is the blacklist crime.
strikes fatal blow at that harmony and brotherhood
which do more to preserve our Union and promote GU
prosperity than nil the ligaments ot law und wise les
suns vt political economy continued. The war vi IN
revolution, the Of 1872, commercial rivalry, gov
ornamental an;agunism all put together have not let
such feelings OF hostility he,w the American peopl
and those OF Great Britain. al exist this day betwee
very large class of our Northern men towards tn
people Ut the South brought into life, and tanned int
a tame 10y this sectional array. The prophetic eye &
Washington Jaw, AT HI early period at history, ih
dangers growing cut Of this alarming spirit; and, wit
deep paternal earnestness in terms full Of pHthn
and touching solctude no lett his farewell counsel.
10 warn his country,nen from the fatal consequence
of q sectional party. If names were ANYTHING wit
the people of the United States there could he pro
ducrd the most glorious lis uf them that ever aLurne
any cause giving forth their warnings against hi
threatening and alarming array. Washington, Jeiier
son, Madison, Jackson, all saw, depiored, aud coui
SEIZED their coun,rym-n against the evil. Those VIII
have fomented the controversy now existing and VIII
may be regarded as the peculiar oriSinatnrs OF I'll
sectional pay spare efforts to sSnatize the trt
ternal warnings of Washington, Jefferson, and Jacl
son when repeated by Mr.. Buchanan aud MIR. Fill
more, as the rRviugs Of Southern fanatics and huie
ana call upon the North to reps them threatene
insult. The wisest, ablest, and most patriotic Incl
this ar any other country SAW, have seleninl
and deliberately expressed the opinion, IN.
the formation of sectional and geographical partit
would lead Ia the overthrow of the Constitution al
the Union But ii is questionable indeed If the dsI
gerous controversy which now divides the two gre,
scctions OF the county, TO the present extent aud
the peculiar phase 10 which il has reached was eve
contemplated by the great men Of the past The
would have in this, not merely a tendency Il
wards disruption. but anarchy itself. Tn. section,
array and the election 10y it of "A President of Ill
United States, is direct and positive violation of t
spirit of the Constitution Of the lifted States an
leaves nothing Of outrage TO be added by any nrat
ton Of the letter itself. There is essential dif
ence between an election Of President 10y sections
combinations, which excludes over half Of the Unto
from all participation in the canvass, and the dire
usurpa,ion of the office without the forms of electo
at all The usurpation differs only in degree Il
spirit aud intent Of the Constitution are violated
both instances II should be carefully borne in nit
that this Union is compact between sovereign Stat
which equal, that the powers delegated to The
general agent few, although very important; I'll
the great body Of powers essential for compile
government have been reserved by the siates al