Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-01-23
The Richardson Exposition.


The Richardson Exposition.
The Washington Union affects to think
that the questions propounded to Mr.
Richardson, the Democratic candidate for
Speaker, by Gen. ZoIlcoffer, indicate con-
cert Of action between the National Ameri-
cans and the Banks men to break down
Mr.. Richardson, with the Interior object Of
defeating the democratic candidate for
President in November next" The object
Of the Union, in throwing out this intima-
ton, is apparent. Disturbed by the expo
sition of the opinions of Mr.. Richardson
upon questions involving the rights of
shareholders, it seeks to divert attention
from them and to cover up his failings in
the coniectured sins of Others But this
game won't win. The startling record of
the national" Richardson, brought to light
by Gen. ZolIicoffer, is of too serious char
acter to be covered up in this way. The
people of the South particularly are too
deeply interested to suffer their attention
to be drawn off from it.
But, why were Gen. Zollicofer's ques-
tons put to Richardson, and not to Banks?
We presume the General had good reasons.
In the first place, Banks did not pretend
to be a national man in the sense the term
is used by the friends of Richardson-he
was already known to be hostile to slavery
and inimical to Southern rights in the terri
tories. His opinions were, therefore, a
matter which no Southern man might care
to ask for, because in no case could any
Southern man vote for him. In the second
place. Richardson's refusal to answer
question, had, as Banks alleged, put a seal
on his (Banks') mouth. Richardson re-
fused, because he was a candidate and
then, Banks refused because a safe prece-
dent had been set him by Richardson. Fur
thermore, the questions were based upon
Richardson's Darn record, which showed him
up in position little understood by even his
own friends, for it appears that Messrs.
Boyce, Keitt and Mcqueen, of South Car
DINA, who had been voting for him steadi-
ly, abandoned him after his reply. The
fact that they have since by some sort of
explanations, been induced to return to him,
does not lessen the weight of his anti
Southern record as it stood when the ques-
tions were propounded.
From this view of the case, the reader
will see that Gen. Zollicoffer had sufficient
reasons for putting his questions to Rich
ardson alone.
We may add that the people of the
South are deeply indebted to the General
for his exposure of the imposture of Rich
ardson's much Wanted nationality. Who
would have thought that the Democracy
were putting up" as a national man can
didate who believes territorial legislature
can dispose Of the question of slavery, and
who also believes in the conStitutionality of
the Wilmot provisO, and who had announced
his determination in a certain contingency,
Of voting to apply it to territorial bills ?
Much as is known Of the effrontery of the
party leaders, we doubt whether the people
were prepared for this exhibition of their
indisputable brass.
But it appears that Mr.. Richardson is
now sorry for his announcement that he
would vote to apply the Wilmot proviso to
territorial bills, and thinks he did wrong
since it stands in the way of his election to
the Speakers chair For this improvement,
small though it be, the public are indebted
to Gen. ZollicofTer, as his questions brought
it about. We hope the General will con-
tinue his labors, and perhaps he may yet
bring the democratic Richardson up to
something approaching truly national
standard