The true Democrat., 1856-10-28
Remarks of Gov. H A Wise.

A democratic meeting was held in Richmond on the 2Oth of September, 1856, and was ad- dressed in most able manner by ROBERT G. SCoTT, esq, and Gov. WISE. A correspou- dent of the New York Herald furnishes that paper with sketch of the proceedings of the meeting. The following is his report of Gov. WIsE's remarks:
 Governor Wise was then called for from all parts of the hall. For while he seemed to disregard the calls and had gotten nearly as far aS the door, on his way out; but the calls for "WiSe, Wise," came still laundering from every part of the hall, and he at length yielded. He took his position at remote point from the platform rendering it somewhat difficult for the reporter to hear some remarks at the close of his sentences. After the applause had sub sided, he said: MT. President if this was an ordinary political canvass-ifw we were not stand ing upon the very brink of the most terrible of revolutons-if was not standing in the posi- ton that am; charged with your trust, bound by your obligations clothed with your power hot only responsible to my God, to my coun- try and to myself, but officially bound by iu- dicial oath-I would delight, sir, to address this assembly tonight. The ordinary topics could calmly touch; the ordinary arguments, pro aud con, as parties have contended hereto fore, 1 could weigh calmly and not distrust n.y. self; but say to you, that as the chief magis- trate of this State 1 do not feel that can an- tlclpate coming events, which cast their shad ows before them. None of the old issues dis turb me in times like these-about old and stale differences on mere party positions. There is weight at this moment resting upon the minds of serious men, which Is oppressive. You have heard of that past time which had tried mems souls. Times are coming, and are near upon us, which will again try who are men. who are trlers, ant who are traitors. (Enthu- siastic cheers.) You, whose minds are occu- pied in the way of ordinary business, may talk and feel usual about Presde tial election you are not called on, as 1 am, to think and feel about nothing else but the business of the State, the safety oi her people; and you may no. see the dangers around us as do because It IS not so much your province as mine to look ahead and ask, "what Is coming, and what shall be done for the commonwealth?" though that, as patriots, Is your concern well as mine. But as for me, every moment, every hour, be- cause the small hours are taken from sleep to thmk-i say every moment is occupied in re. hecting what must the Governor of Virginia do il the coming contingency. 1 feel that it is
 
 yet no time to rashly anticipate anything, or to say lightly what shall be doi e.
 Do not misunderstood me, sir Dreadful as these responsibilities are, let no man do me tine injustice to suppose that l am, at a moment like this, skulkng from this responsibility. (En- thus astlc cheers.) Do not suppose that 1 re- grtt you have placed me where l may be cal led upon in lhS border State first to act You may have ouud-and would 10 God YOU had tounG-a stronger man to lean upon; but such as am, physically, mentally and morally, thank God that l am where l am, and that l am with you, prepared for the worst. (Cheers ) l need your assistance, and every man needs that of his neighbor; but if the worst comes to the worst, and the thunder, and the lightning. and the storm must rage, l say l shall meet it without fear. Enthusiastic cleers) The terms are presented to us, and we have to choose those which are most favorable to our interests Each party now in the field holds out certain terms, and the question with us is, which we are to accept? l. say, if there is conservative party lett III the country-the only national party, Whose flag waves and floats in every State of the contederacy, that party is the great democratic party. Loud cheers.) On the one hand you have peace, safety, prosperity, pro- gress-on, on, as we have been going for more than seventy years. But on the other hand, if this ground swell of fanaticism, not in the north alone, but in the south as well as in the north flor there is evidence that we have fanatics among us--if the evils of all the sms shall combine, and that which yesterday was the last Is no longer the worst; but we have another pre- sent which is last and worst--if all the isms, I say combired in the superlative ism, which I deuounce demonism, shall prevail against tbn nna fnnrG rG,,11,. arises, what will we do? To decide this will not depend upon one or two. This puts the argument of the election in it's proper light, and whilst feel the gloom of the responsible posi- ton in which am placed, 1 may console my self, sir, and do, that am but all humble State executive ofiicer--that 1 will be but ministerial shall have to obey orders--legisatlve orders, conventional orders have more masters than one. Your organized legislative and judicial power may control me, but above all, that which Is above legislative, judicial and execr- tive power--the constitutional power of the people--may control me. l am glai that 1 have these great instruments to defend me against the weight and pressure of that respon- sblity which Is now so heavy, and may be 50 much greater in the future.
 About a year ago, or a little more, 1 warned you of that black, insidious, midnight order. which stalked this State with it's dark lantern, and which deceived many honest minded men, but none of its leaders-[ warned you of the fact that Know Nottingham would terminate in demonism to distract the south and to fuse in the north. l am not going to debate the ques- ton here to- night, who is right or who is wrong, north or south, or which is the assailant of the other? Sir, if Mr. A. or B. should knock me down or spit upon my face, l would as soon de- bate with him the question, who began the quarrel? If you ask me whether the north is assaling the south or uice versa, tell you there is one piece of inherent evidence that beats the record of evidence out of sight. 1 would not give one piece of inherent testimony for all the intrinsic evidence in the world. Let me illus trate what mean. A party of twelve men are sworn to try the fact whether A assaulted E, or assaulted A. There are no witnesses pre- sent, if you please, but the parties themselves They are alone with each other on the high way; and, from their own stories, you learn that the bject matter of the controversy Is piece of property-a bank note, or anything else-whch is owned and possessed by the one, and which the other desired to take away. Now, inde. pendent of all positive proof, which of the two in the nature of the case, was to be the assail- ant-he who had the thing, or he wno had i, not? The possessor had only to remain at peace in or,ler to continue in quiet possession The assaiant had to be him W ho had not the possession, and who desired to take it away from him who lawfully held it.
 Well now, 50 1t is with the north and the south The south has property in slaves-a property known to the laws, possession which is for tilied by a quadruple tier of laws-federal con. stitution and federal statutes, state constitu. tions and state statutes it has rights be longing to that property equally recognized and fortified; and that property and those rights the north desires to abolish, to take away and de stroy. The south desires to be let alone-te be left in quiet, lawful possession; and the north is bent upon disturbing and destroying the quiet possession and enjoyment of that pro perty. Which, in the nature of the case, is bound to be the assailant? He whose very in terest and policy is peace, or the other who ha: tbar, ,do rf, hat