Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-08-31
The Canyas I'm Surry.


were doubtless very cosy, and despatched their
matters, speeches and all, with admirable ce.
lerity. We arrived ''too late in the morning
to see anything of the proceedings.
Soon after an early dinner the Court adj
journed and it was made known that number
OF Democratic speakers were on the ground,
ready to meet in discussion either Bell or
Douglas orators, or speakers of both stripes oil
the opposition. None of the Bcllites were
found ready, and only one Douglas speaker,
Dr. Holt of Isle Of Wight, appeared to do bat,
tie for the squattcr sovereignty candidate.
Among the Democratic champions present,
DIR. George Z. Rives, Of Prince George; J. J.
Kindred, Esq, of Southampton, and J. B. Cos
nahan, Of Williamsburg. were the most distin.
guiShed.
The Courthouse wils well-crowded with the
respective partsans Of Breckenridge and Bell,
and a very few Douglas men, scattered promis.
cuously. Atabout | !! o'clock, p. NJ, Col. Clark
called the audience to order, and introduced Dr..
Rivcs, us the first speaker, who delivered a
brief and pointed address first giving his con-
stituents brief account OF his stewardship OF
last winter, and concluding with L stirring ap.
peal in behalf ul Breckinridgc and Lane. His
address was purposely very brief-it being his
desire to give full time for the speeches Of
others, who had travelled from distance TO
participate in the discussion.
Mr.. Kindred next took the stand, and for
about an hour held the earnest attention Of the
audience. Mr.. Kindreds was the speech of
the day. There was no attempt at clap-trap OF
any sort. 1t was exactly the description OF
address which never fails to awaken and main
tain the interest Of body Of intelligent coun-
try gentlemen in Virginia. Every man present
felt that he was listening to speaker who had
entire command of all the facts and arguments
involved - who presented them in Il succession
OF terSe, elegant and comprehensive sentences
and with manner and delivery in which the
utmost earnestness of feeling was well-temper-
ed with entire dignity Of demeanor and propri-
ETY. of expression. The whole ground of debate
was well covered by Mr. kindred's speech
1t was perfect vndicatlon Of his own course
at Charleston and Baltimore, and Of the claims
of Breckenridge and Lane to the undivided sup
port Of every true citizen Of Virginia.
1t was afterwards stated in our heariug, that
Mr.. kindreds speech had the effect Of bringing
over to the support Of Breckenridge and Lane,
some gentlemen among the audience who had
previously been regarded as Douglas men,
We are not at all surprised that such an effort
should have produced this rarest of all the
triumphs OF stump oratory-that of convincing
political opponents until they acknowledge con.
viction.
So soon as Mr.. Kindred left the stand, Col.
Dllar,l, date member OF the Douglas conven-
ton at Baltimore sprang to his feet-cvident-
" desrous to co,lnteract Immediately. if posi-
ble the overwhelming effect al Mr. kindreds
cool array of facts, figures and arguments
The Colonel is a true specimen Of the old fIr-
ginia gentleman-quick, impulsive, and ever
ready to face political opponent, at all odds.
He had hardly, however, proceeded more than
five minutes, before his own good sense taught
him that he had put his foot" in it, and he
took his seat, after Il candid admission that he
had made serious mistake as to an important
matter of fact. concerning which he had Tanly
attempted to convict Mr.. Kindred OF similar
error.
DIR. Holt was next introduced 10 the audi
ence, and was listened to with much attention
for more than IN hour, while he endeavored to
make hcadway in behalf of Douglas and John
son. Dr. Holt is an excellent speaker. His
address was really eloquent, and doubtless
would have been able, in spite OF the many
difficulties attending bad cause coupled with
an unsympathizing audience, but for the ao'
sencc of one indispensable requisite. The Doc
tor quoted poetry with excellent modulation
and emphasis, but seemed entirely to have for
gotten the adage Of Horace
".NP5re eif J0nS eI DftHciplHW 'effVe"''',
which. as the world knows, applies with equal
force to the ''ars 7oqusndi." DR.. Holt was not
at all "posted" either in the facts, arguments
or figures of arithmetic current in the present
canvas. and hence was obliged to seek refuge
among the "git,cring gcncralities" of stump
oratory. This he did s0eN, to the entertain
Il
mcnt of the audience. with admirable dec!ama-
ton, which, as old Sir Robert Walpole would
say. was quite sufficient 10 excite their lmagl-
ton, but left NO permanent impress OH their
understanding of the matter in controversy
DR.. Holt concluded with pathetic picture re-
presenting Stephen A. Douglas as mat per
secuted by the Southern wing Of the Demo
cratic party, solely on account Of his loyalty
to the Union.
Mr.. @. Jennings Wise next took the stand'
and occupied more than three hours in expos
ing the position of Bell and Douglas. Mr.
Wise was listened to with very kind attention,
though MANY of the audience, who had long
distances to ride, were obliged to leave the
Court house soon after sunset.
After Mr.. Wise concluded, Mr.. Lee, ol
Prince George, made u few remarks.
Many Of those present were very desrous to
hear speech from Mr. Cosnahan, but the
night having set in, that gentleman was un'
willing TO detain the audience longer. 1t was
also understood that Mr.. Cosnahan would nd
dress the people Of Surry on their next court
day.
The Chairman then adjourned the meeting
and we left the ground we'll satisfied with the
result Of our-href observation Of the state OIL
the political atmosphere in and about surFy'-
It is abundanlly evident that squatter soVe'
reignty is an exotic in that vicinity which nc
hot.housc care can keep alive. The scions toe
of Bell-gerine planting are evident sick'y and
languid Indeed, true, radical, old fashioned
Democracy is the only politl'