Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-05
FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER
PRESIDENT PIERCES LAST ANNUAL MES
SAGE

DASI ANNUAL MES
SAGE.
In consequence of the late hour at which wa had
the sa;isfacton of pe,usng this mastery docu
ment, we could not publish our opinion in yesterday
mornings Enquirer. We seize the earliest occasion
to perform the pleasant duty, and to announce that
in this lest Message, President Pierce has
laures, has justly entitled himself to the increased
confidence OF the patriots Of the land and to more
lofty mich in the temple of his couniry's fame. The
souudness Of the docrines the clearn-ss and ability
with which they are advocated and enforced; the
pansive spirit of patriotism and devotion to the con-
stitu.ional rights and duties Of all sections and all
classes, breathing throughout this admirable State
paper; the natural glow of satisfaction and pride,
which anma!es the bosom of The faithful chief officer
Of the confedsracy, that, under the blessing of D
vine Providence, he leaves the country prosperous
and peaceful after Of the severest trials which
our experiment of free government has ever been
subjected; all go TO make this message of the
most interesting and satisfactory that ad
dressed to the people Of this grea. conlederscy
through their representatives in Congress
The message is compact in itself and so atrac-
tive in all it's leading points, that we shall attempt no
it, aud from its perusa grateful and proud that
his destiny has been raSt in this land and that thanks
to the wisdom and fidelity Of those entrusted with
authority, and, above all, the sagacy aud patriotism
OF the grea, body of the American people, the ship
Of State has weather.d all storms and now floats SAFE
~ aud proudly, with her glorious flsg-evtry star IL
the bright constellation floating in the breeze. We
cannet however, refrain from especially commencing
TO popular attention the first portion, neRrly one
half Of President Pierce's message, presenting a u-
cid and able review OF the recent Presidential elec
tion and its satisfactory results, and mastery vim
dication of the wisdom of the Kansas Nebraska pol
icy. His cogent and powerful exposition Of the un
just working Of the Missouri Compromise line, of the
bad faith of lie present advocates in connng al it
benefits to u single section, and of the proper an
peaceful influence Of the Kansas measure ii allowed
a fair operation, lie we'll calculated to influence the
public mind aud, in connection with the election of
Buchanan and Breckinridge, to bring about q more
healthy and conservative spirit, in the sections
of the confed~racy the most infected by the spirit o:
fanacism and the foul Vaccinations of the vile enc
mi-s Of the constitution. BY his bold and fearless
advocacy Of the JrfIersonian strict construction OF
the constitution, this, previous occasions of
his Presidential career Franklin Pierce has earned
! the hearty gratitude Of all States Rights men-and,
in referring this last annual message. we feel fully
justified in speaking for the Democracy of Virginia,
and in their name, extending to him the plaudit of
well done, good and faithful! servant
THE VOTE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
OF VIRGINIA.
Z
! At ten O'Clock, yesterday morning, according I"
law, the Electoral College of Virginia met IN the Sen
ate Chamber TO cas-; their votes for President md
Vice President of the United States. The College
was called to order by Mr.. Montague, on whose mo.
| ton Ms Jas Garland called to the Chair. Maj
! G., on taking tho Char, made appropriate I'D
dress.
| On motion of Mr.. Talafsrro. Mr.. p. H. Ay!ett OF
Richmond City was appointed Clerk OF the College
4 communication, under the grea; seal oi the STATE,
| WA, received from Cav Wise, throGch Secretary
Munford, certifying - the election o! ;hc following
gentlemen, rs the E-cnrs 10 cast the vote Of Nr
gnia for PreaGcn; aud Wee Prrsde:It o the United
States
Fir.t Disirict-E. w. Mass"nburg Of Portsmouth.
Second District-Thns. II. Campbell nf N"ttuway.
Third Di-rict-A. Hughes lizard of Henry.
Fourth Dis!rict-Jam.s Garland OF Campbell.
Fifth District-John Guode, ,Ir. OF Bedford.
Sixth Dlrrict-AlrX. Jones OF Chesterfield.
Seventh Dsirict-Wn b. Taiaierrn oi Gloucester.
Eighth Disirict-R. l. Montague Of Mid I!esex.
Ninth Dlstrict-James Barbour of Cu!peper.
Tenth Di-trict-J. Randolph Tucker ni Frederick.
Eleventh Dis,rct-John I. Harris "f Rockingham
Twelfth Di.trict-A. & Pendleun OF Giles
Thirteenth Distrct-JOhn Is. Floyd of Washington.
Fourteenth D!srict-Samae l.. Hays OF Gllmrr.
Fifteenth Dlsirict-SherrarI Clemens Of Ohio.
On motion of Mr.. Clemens, the roll was called and
every Elncior was found to be present.
The College then proceeded, motion of Mr.
Hays. to by ballot for President Of the United
Staies-each Eector announcing his vote for Presi
ent as he placed his boot in the box the table.
On motion OF Mr.. Clemens it solved thnt
committee OF three be appointed to count the votes
and report the result of the ballot. The Chair ap-
pointed Measrs. Clemens, Floyd and Barbour said
committee; who reported that fifteen votes had been
cast for James Buchanan of Pennsylvania.
The same proceeding was gone through with in
the ballot for Vice President. MesSrs. Pepdle,on
Hays and Harris acted the committee, and report
ed that fifteen had been caet for John c. Breck
inridge "f Kentucky.
On motion of Mr.. Pendeton, Mr.. Hays, the cleo
tor from Lewis county, was appointed the m-ssen-
ger to convey the electoral vote of Virginia to Wash
ington and deposit in the hands of the President Of
the United States Senate.
The clerk read the form Of certificate of the &C.
ton of the College, OF which six certified copies were
to be made out In order to allow said copies to be
prepared, the College took a recess until p. NJ, at
which time each of the six copies certified by the
endorsement of each elector-and the College then
adjourned sine die.
Thus promptly have the electors faithful to their
trusts given effect to the voice Of Virginia expressed
at the polls on November 4th by majority of up.
wards of 5000.
THE DEMOCRACY JUBILANT.
Yesterday was gala dny for the Democracy Of