Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-27
RICHMOND WHIG.
GENERAL MILLsoN IN SOUTHAMPTON.

GENERAL MILLS0N IN SOUTHAMPTON. -.
To Ms Editor Of ae Whig:
On Monday the 7h instant the representative OF the
st Congressional district OF Virginia addressed large
and highly respectable portion OF his constituents oi
Southamplon county at Jerusalem, being court day.
A il was generally reported that Mr. Mlson entertain
ed views in relation the Presidential election not fully
in accordance with those OF some OF the prominent men
of his party in this section Of the State feeling OF en-
barrassment and disrust visible IN the asemblge
or rather that part of which constituted the Breckn-
ridge wing Of the Democracy. The General, however,
assumed the stand with firm step aud an undsunted
demeauor give ycu briefly, but substantially The lead
ing points in his speech. have nothing exienuatec,
nor set down in sught in malice" have been lie-
long Whig but If disposed to play the parzan, should
have been dsarmed by the speakers apparent candor
and rankness-his earnestly avowed declarations OF de-
voton 10 he Union and the PLAUSIBLE and strong ea-
sons by which he sustained himself IN the position
he had adopted. He cOmmeuced by saying; That ne
appeared before his feow.czens on that occasion IN
compliance with what he deemed duty periodically lm-
posed upon him. as the representative OF their Congress
siona district in order TO give an account oil his stew"
ardship He said that for many official terms eonsecu-
tvely he had performed that duty but thai the crisis
which seemed to BE- at hand-the status OF our national
eoucerns-inyOved such unusual and tremendous inter-
este as to invest the present discharge Of his duty with
an Importance aud solemnty infinitely beyond any which
had occurred during the whole term OF his Official lie
lie was devoted TO the Unou-he was prepared TO sacr
fee much very much, TO preserve It. But no ntegeut
man could fail perceive that systematic onorI was
being made to effect its disintegraton. There was no
necessity for dissolution Of the Union. Why, he ask
ed and how had this unhappy state Of things occurred
He attributed It. mainly TO settled purpose on the part
Of certain leading politicians in some OF the Southern
States to dissolve the Union, with view to the estab-
lishment OF Southern COniederacy. That such pur'
pose was cherished and concocted he proved conclusive
B by reference printed documents the truth OF which
had not been gaiusayed especially the letters and
speeches of Hon. W. L. lancey-artices contained IN
DeBoNs Review, &c, &c. That these disailected men,
not succeeding in introducing into the Democratic
platorm at Charleston certain amendments (which he
specifedi which they neither expected or desired dis,
rup.ed the Convention held another Convention, and
nominated for the Presidency IA man whom they kne"
had not the shadow Of shade OF chance OF being elect
e1 and in the spirit looking to the Paeic states
candidate for the Vice Presidency. He said that those
who ruled in this proceeding did not desire heir cleo
tou-that obviously the scheme looked 70 no other re-
suit than the election OF nco-that he greatly feared
their expectations would be realized. II so, the DsGn'
ioniss would accomplish by ndrectou, the oi Jec they
had in view-the disruption OF the Union. lie would
never lend himself to such purpOseand for this he
had been denounced by portion of the Democratic
press and by individuals. Be 1t so; he would stand
where he always did-upOn principle. He went on to
remark that the Democratic party had committed
grieVous-he feared iata-errOr in permitting the dis
rupton of the Charleston Convention. The party had
had il in their power TO elect National Democrat--a
man faithful 10 the Union, and with whom Southern
rights would have been safely entrusted That the p
OF the necessity of the amendments adyerted TO was
without oundaton-hat Of protection for slave proper
" in the Territories especially totally destitute OF
practical Importance. That the decision OF the Supreme
Court had been acquiesced in by overwhelming majo-
rity Of the American people, that matter was settled
He said that by the disruption of the Charleston Conven
tou the Democratic party made hLpoent for gooc
that there great danger of the election OF Lin
coln and consequently, Though he did not think 1t
sufficient ciuss the diSmembermeut OF the Union lie
dated briefly bu. strongly the horrors incident to
state OF civil war. Were there any present, he asked
who we're willing TO witness and participate in such
dire calamity for the sake Of eight dollars per month!
To the personal wOrth-the talents and patriotism oil
Breckinrdge Douglas and OF Bell and Everett General
Millson paid an animated tribute. He knew them we'll
had been intimately associated with all of them They
were talented highmindcd honorable men. He also
paid high compliment 70 the purity and patriotism OF
the Eeclor Of this district the Breckenridge ticket
lie was asked on the conclusion Of his speech for whom
he intended to cast his suffrage at the Presidential cleo
tom His answer was, substantially, that his prominent
desire and highest object the defeat OF the Black
Republican candidate. That he who could best effect
that object should receive his it BreCkinrdge
Douglas or Bell and Everett. General Mlson spoke
more than three hours. His speech characterized
hy much intellectual poW,r and nterspersod with occa-
sioual bursts Of elOquence. lt strong argument
aud pertinent appeal TO those who love their country
more than their party. It will do much good.