Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-08-25

issues connected with the Presidential contest he deemed
it expedeu 10 pay bis respects to matter to which ms
attention had an hour or two since been attracted lie
understood that in some one Of the city newspapers,
he did not know which, for he had not himself seen H.
notice had appeared that there would be controversy
here toaight between one of the editors Of the Rich
mond Enquirer, Mr.. o. Jennings Wise, and himself
He had not been consulted on this subject nor had his
friends as he was informed, previous to the publication
of the notice referred to- and he further learned that his
political friends here had at once assumed the position
that no such controversy that thus uneeremonlous
promised should occur he said that he felt not the least
embarrassment in the world about the affair he had
not vet had the honor Of being introduced to the
gentleman in question; though he did not doubt bis me-
rs and qualifications his familiar acquaintance with
the questions arising for consideration his capacity for
discussing them with ability, and eoquence, and in
manner alike interesting and instructive to those now as
sembled He begged leave to decline the honor OF the
meeting proposed for quite satisfactory TO him
self and which be did at all doubt would be equally
satisfactory to others He had the other day thrown down
the gauntlet controversy his two former associates In
the Senate Mr. Mason and Mr. Hunter either of whom be
should be willing meet political whensoey
r he should learn that such conflict desired by them
There was another worthy and accomplished debaer in
Virginia gentleman Tor whom be had long cherished
sLcere and hearty regard the Hon. Henry A Wise late
Governor of the Commonwealth. He had hoped that
the gentleman might yet become satisfied that it was his
duty as patriot to unite with the National Democracy
in support Of Douglas and Johnson He should greatly
prefer to cooperate with him in support of what be
could no, but deem the Union cause of the country TO
meeting him upon the arena Of controversial strife, as
supporter Of Breckenridge and Lane. But, after what
bad now so unexpectedly occurred he felt bound to say
that should it be the wish of the renowned ia
Their Of the eositor Of the Enquirer to meet him
iu friendly and courteous dispute he should not shrink
from the encounter though he felt most sensiby his own
nferiorty as public speaker, TO the distinguished gen.
leman named N such a cause he said, l feel quite
confident that even an individual of my moderate and
limited powers would be likely to prove triumphant over
Demoshenes himself could he be raised from the dead
aud re-imbued with his wondrous oratOrical faculties
am under promise TO return to Virginia again during
die Presidential contest and shall il my health should
hold out canvass in regular manner many Of the pop
ulous counties, wheu under suitable circumstances,
shall ever be found willing to accommodate eontrover-
sal customers For the present shall only say to the
Youthful editor Of the Enquire thatI have at Nash
Vile Of nv own name, who is quite credaby yersed
in the politics of the day who has had some little exPe-
risace IN public speaking and who am confident would
BE- quite willing to him in discussion whenever he
can learn that such wish is entertained.
Oa the course Of these remarks various interruptions
o,curred-much excitement manifest-4r. Wise,
Who was 10 the gallery TO speak, but the noise Of
the crowd drowned his voice, when Governor Foote, in
the manner stated in our issue Of yesterday, inerposed
and besougbt the audience TO hear him. when Mr.. Wise
explained his position, heretofore published declaring
his willingness to meet the son of Governor FoOte but
said he could no. be expected 20 to Tennessee for the
purpose The Governor then suggested that if Mr.. Wise
desired It. his son should meet him in Virginia. This
terminated the scene)
After this Governor FoOte proceeded with his speech,
and spoke for nearly four hours We much struck
with many points raised by Governor FJOte in the pro-
grcs Of bis remarks and especially with what he said
,bou, Mr.. Douglass proposition, last winter, to arm the
judicial officers Of the Federal Government with adequate
DO yer to suppress conspaees formed in the bosom OF
adjoining States for disturbing the peace Of those in ax-
Imposition with them. The Governor read eopiously
from the speech Of Mr. Douglas in support of his resou-
ton on this subject and placed his conduct in contrast
with that of certain Southern Senators, his violent
opponents in deliberately leaving the frontier of Virginia
unprotected against Abolition hostility when so good an
opportunity was presented for obtaining efsctual safe
guards against future Brown raids lie eNpatiated on
this topic at some length in truly eloquent and most
able manner.
Il having been asserted in certain newspapers that
Governor Foote was recommending fusion in Virginia,
between the Douglas and Johnson and the support
era Of Bell and Everett Governor FOoe denied that he
bad done So and declared that he should regard as the
greatest presumption on his part to NEEDLE with so
delicate natter and added tina, really, far as Virgin
i, was coucerne he had no definite views the subject
He enlarged upon the necessity Of fusion in New York,
exclaimed the noble and eminenty patriotic conduct of
those concerned in it, urged that nothing else would pro-
badly have defeated Lincoln, and complained most vehe
neatly Of the conduct of Mr.. Buchanan and others in
kee,n the Breckenridge and Lane ticket in the hednthe
Free States when the only effect of their doing so, would
absolutely be the multiplying the chances of Lincon's
election, and then in all probability of breaking up he
JliioH
The Governor paid just and glorious tribute to Bell
and Everett declaring that they were both eminenty
able and patriotic and that should the Administration of
the Government fall into their hands the great interests
of the Republic would be in state Of undoubted safety
what Democracy has done. According TO DEM
OcraIic Testimony.
Let the honest voters Of the whole country read the
following manly confessions from leading Democrats
from various sections Of the Union:
when frs: entered Congress- in lSi3 the expenses
Of the Government were only SSO,OOOOUO per annum
The country had gone through the expensive Mexican
war with sixtyhree thousand soldiers in the field for
thirty millions and now in time of peace, the esti-
mates we're sevenythree millions! He believed forty
millions an abundance for the national expense. Hon
L. H. Stephens.
This Government sixty-nine years Of age, scarcely
out Of is swaddlug clothes is making more corrupt uses
OF money in proportion to the amount collected from
the people as honestly believe than any other Govern
ment on the habitable gObe."-H0a. AHdre0 johnson,
Of Tenn.
81 think il IS saying much to declare that this
country has gone faster and further in ten years. in ex-
travagance than most other countries have gonen
turtles -Gsu Shields.