Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-15
DECEMBER Is. 1857.

the Conventon-and az that is the institution Of
slavery consider the great object Of the Nebraska
bill accomplished. And for that reason as we'll as
from fear that the reputation Of the proceedings of
the Lecompton Convention by Congress would lead
to dangerous renewal Of slavery agitation, we have
earnestly advocated the admission of Kansas with
been taken on the question OF slavery. Let the prin
cpa point Of the controversy be settled at the eIec
ton the 2lst of this month-and il afterwards
there is anything in the constitution which is obpo1
ous to the people, let them call State Convention,
and either adopt new Constitution or modify that
under which they make application for adm:s.
sion into the Union. The whole matter will
then be within the exclusive jurisdiction OF
sovereign State aud neither the proslave-
ry msn nor the anti slavery men need fear the
intervention of the Federal government. They can
then fight it out amongst themselves, without con-
tinually disturbing the peace and quiet of the
try.
Our co,smporary Of the Philadelphia "Press''
may be assured that the Southern Democracy do not
dssre that the minority shall rule. They are true TO
the principle of popular sovereignty But they are
not in favor Of endangering the greatest government
of the world, by breaking up the only political pssty
on which it can rect with safety We would not test
the capacity Of the boiler by blowing mp the ship
nor would We destroy the Union to prove that the
principle Of popular sovereignty 10 the basis Of our
government
HON. JAMES l.. ORR, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
The election of thi. distinguished gentleman to the
noe oofR tativ a
compliment not more to him than to that conserva-
tive sentiment Of sterling Ststerighs Democracy OF
which his political career has ever been 30 consist
emily and beautifully illustrative. And that as such
it appreciated by every admrer of bis intellectual
ability and manly virtues, not only in South Caro-.
lima, but throughout the Union, We have not a
doubt.
There are few such men as James l.. Orr in the
councils Of the country. And in saying 80, we mean
no discredit to his compeers. From an admirably
written memoir of him by W. H. Topping, Esq, We
propose to extract few of the many interesting in.
cdents in hi. political history, which may not be un'
acceptable to readers, especially since his eeva.
ton to the prominent position he now holds. Mr..
Orr is native Of South Carolina. He has not yet
reached the thirty.sxth year of his age. At eigh'
teen he entered student at the University of Vir
gina, where, after attaining proficiency in moral phil
losophy, political economy, bellies lettres &C., he de-
voted himself exclusively and assiduousy to the law
At twentyone he was admitted to the bar at Ander'
son, South Carolina, where he also established and
edited newspaper called the Anderson "Gaz cite. "
His sffabs bearing and elevated character soon rem.
dered him highly popular with all classes Of society
and when little more than twenty-five, he was elect
ed to the Legislature, with higher vote than any
other man in the State, and that too in district
| which had before given decided Whig majority
| He soon became prominent as man Of sound judg.
ment and an earnss. advocate of the rights OF the
people. At twentysiI, be was elected to Congress,
after an active and excited canvass, by majority OF
seven hundred over a Democratic competitor. And
he has ever SINCE believe, been regularly reelect
ed without opposition.
| His congressional career has been marked with
unostentstous but efficient service to his State,
TO his country and to the Democratic party
He is as true to the South as the trusty steel
| to a brave heart and stswart arm. But he ap
preciates and cherishes the Union; and has done
much towards quietng the troubled spirt OF his own
chivsric South Carolina. From his early advent
upon the political STAGE Mr.. Orr has been erninenty
characterized by that frsnkness in the avowal and
boldness in the maintenance of his opinions, without
which no man should, or ever can command the con
idence of the American people sufficiently to be an
elected leader in those crises that sometimes cast por
tentous shadows over our country, and stagger into
bewdered inactivity all but the stoutest hearts, in
the South. His political career furnishes an exam
| pie worthy of imitation. AS q parlismentaran he
has no superior-he is an admirable speaker and
commands the attention and respect of every mem
| ber of the House.