Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-24
RICHMOND WHIG
DISCUSSION IN PATRICK COUNTY.
D.wut.r- ~ u g. 100

To Tie Editor Of the Whig
On Wednesday, the 18th inst, (the first day OF our
Circuit Cour the large crowd then in attendance were
informed that the Hon. Thomas s. Fournoy, the ear
nest solicitation of many Of his political friends would
address the people upon the political issues Of the day.
When this fact was announced the Breckenridge Democ
racy prevailed upon A. ii. Billiard Esq, to enter the ring
in advocacy of the desperate fortunes OF that sectional
Organization; and upon consultation it agreed that
Mr. Flournoy should speak as long he might think
proper, and Mr.. DIlsrd would reply upon the same
terms.
Al three o'clock large crowd, from the surrounding
country assembled in the basement story Of the court
house. when Mr.. Flournoy commenced the discussion
The delivery of occupied about two hours and
aha aud the opinion universally expressed that il
was the most eloquent aud mastery effort Of his life
have never witnessed happier effect produced upon any
crowd. His description OF the consequences likely TO
follow disruption OF the union OF these States was thfl-
ling aud eloquent beyond anythihg | ever heard and
brought from the eyes OF many OF his auditors
He demonstrated coucusyey that the sole purpose Of
the parzans of John G. Breckenridge was dissolution
Of the Union in their candidate should be
full and read to his audience extracts from
speeches and letters of distinguish advocates OF that gen.
teau 10 prove what be had affirmed. He proved to the
satisfaction OF every dispassonate mind the rimpos-
sbity OF the election OF either Beckinridgo or Douglas
and argued that patriotic considerations and desire for
the preservation Of the UniOD dictated in unmistake
able the which every lover Of bis country
should pursue. He examined the political record of John
Bell from his speeches prove his soundness up
the slavery question and showed that upon every issue
ngitsted the public mind in which that question
involved he had been true to the interests Of the
ouh. He informed the people that the charge Of Abo-
liuonsm against the Union candidates the old song
that had been suug every Presidential election for 90
wears back-that Harrison Clay Taylor and Scott had
all been called Abol,onists by the Democratic speakers
and papers Of high and low degree and that such silly and
absurd charges intended as sort Of ariu dodge
to divert public attention from their evil deeds.
But, need not inform your readers of the utter i'm
possibility Of conveying faint sketch Of Mr. Flour
noys speech in the short space which must necessarily
occupy in your columns. Suffice 1t for to say tha,
the effect overwhelming and will long be remember
ed by those who had the pleasure of listening the
speech The secret OF Mr. FournOys great success as
popular orator. is the sincerity and earnesncss Of pur
pose of the man. aud the casual observer cannot
fail to perceive that he really feels what he saysand that
his and eloquent cxhCrations spring from heart
that heats responsive 10 every sentiment for his country
and his countrys cause.
The CONCLUSION OF his speech was followed by long and
protracied cheering and when the applause had died
away, Mr.. Diard arose. evidently impressed with the
idtg that he had heavy task before him. He reminded
me OF man who was about TO undertake the perform
Of some desperate act aud seemed conscious that
de was beaten in the encounter before he commenced
lie evidently felt that in supporting the secession ticket
he was carrying a burden too grevous for mortal man
% Dear Ills EestculauOns were furious auu flOtnL-
lie beat and fought the air wish great earGetnes and
desperation He suggested 10 his audience certain
Don Adriano de Armada, in Loves Labor Lost who
drew the thread of his veTbOsiiy finer than the
pie OF bis argument" "Soue said he's mad others did
cali it valiant fury but for certain he could not buckle
his dstemp3red cause within the belt of rule" His
arguments Ike those of Gateno Of Venice. They
three grains Of wheat whole bushel Of chal
You might search all day you founi them ard when
found they were not worth the search He impressed bis
hearers with the idea that he had been great feast of
languages and had stolen the scraps. This however,
be wondered at for what intellectual giant
could uphold the sinking cause OF Breckenridge and
Laueg Mr.. Billiard though ne speaker, did not pretend
meet the issues involved in this canvass He seemed
to have been carried back by enchanter tue days
OF 1874, and Ike Old Mortality who Iummaged among
the tombs Of times he went away back aud dis
eussed the dead bankrupt law, and other irrelevant is
sues How soft and cooing he TO the Douglas De-
mocracy How he begged and entreGted them to re-
the true fold and uphold the national banner Of
Breckenridge and Lane. lie seemed to be willing 10
PROSTATE himself upon the Bonded knees Of his ai
body" and melt away to fountain Of tears il he could
only heal the divisions in the ranks Of the harmonious
Democracy. But what astonished his audience
his Willingness to support Douglas if he bad been the
nominee of the Charleston Convention IL made no di!-
ference with him f the Southern Democracy had seeded
from the Charleston Convention upon the question OF
principle Ii made no difference with him if Governor
Wise did denDpcc D0WgidS doctrine "as shortcut to
all the ends of Black Repubicansm." Il made no dil
terence with him if Mr. Breckenridge did declare that
Judge Douglas entertained the opinion "hdt dH inS'ib-
ordinate territorial authority may eoHfscdis or orcfs
from the teritorg the property Of he citizens # the
Southern States Without regard 10 the opinion ot tie
Supreme Court to fhc contrary" Still Mr.. Diatd was
willing to support Mr. Douglas, reeking he is, with
political hereslc il he had been the nominee of mere
irresponsible Convention for he seemed TO entertain the
idea that Democratic Conventions political BethCs-
das which would wash any political sinner clean, and
make him as white as snow. In consideration Of the
fact that the almost entire body of the Breckenridge De-
mocracy had announced their determination not TO vote
for Douglas under any circumstances this declaration OF
Mr. Dilard struck the audience with the most profound
astonshment and convinced them that his zeal for his
party had gotten the better OF his judgment | have
extended communication TO too great length, and
must conclude by saying that the discussion was contn-
ued until late hour of the night aud that the effect was
happy and glorious one for our cause The fires of 1910
are Ueng ndled upon every hill top and in every valley
in this country and will on the 9Th Of November burst
into blaze for the Union aud the Constitution"
S G.. s..