Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-27
SPEECHES IN CONVENTION

Remarks Of A. H. Fl. STUART, esq, on
the nomination of Mr.. SERGEANT:
Mr.. PRESIDENT:
hold in my hand a resolution which
beg leave TO submit for the considera-
ton of this Convention; and Sir, although
1t may not be greeted with as much en-
thusiasm as the resolution which an
nounced the nomination OF Henry Clay,
yet feel assured it will merit, and trust
1t Will Teceire the cordial support OF ev-
cry member of this Conveniently
resolution is in these words:
! ReSotred, That this Convention, en-
tertalniDg In common with the National
Republican Conventions which assem-
bled in Baltimore in December last, and
in Washington City in May last, the
! highest sense of the talents and patriot
ism of JOHN SERGEANT of Pennsyl-
vania, do most cordially concur with said
conventions in nominating him as can
didate for the Vice Presidency of the u
nlted States, and do most earnestly recon-
mend him to the support of the people
of Virginia.
Having thus, sir, presented the name
OF Mr. Sergeant for the consideration of
this meeting, it might be thought by
some that had discharged my duty, and
nothing more was incumbent upon me.
And indeed if were to obey the dictates
OF my own feelings on this occasion, ad-
monished as | am by a total want of
preparation-by consciousness Of my
lncompetency at any time, and more es-
Pecially when laboring under physical
debility, to offer any thing worthy ofth
attention of an enlighted deiberative
assembly, | would readily adopt the
suggestion and iorbear from all further
remark. But, sir, having been requested
by very large and respectable COM
mlttee OF this body to submit such a re-
solution as that which | have Just had
the honor to read, | should not consider
that had fulfilled their expectations if
did not accompany it with some re-
marks. The wishes of the committee
were communicated TO me last night, and
L owe them an apology for not being pre-
pared on this occasion. My apology sir,
is found in the TACT that | was under the
mistaken impression that the nomina-
tions would not be acted upon until to-
morrow, and under that impression,
thinking that the whole day was before
me, l had not prepared even the resolu-
ton which l now hold in my hand,
much less digested any remarks to be Of
Tered In its support, until | came into
this hall few minutes ago. Thus much,
SIT, have thought it necessary to say in
justice to myself as well as TO the Con-
vention.
lnvariable custom, sir, seems to render
1T the imperativeduty of every one stand
ing In the relation that do TO the resolu-
ton now before the convention, to urge
some considerations in its favor. And it is
certainly natural that it should be so.-
But, Sir independently ofthe generalsanc-
ton which universal usage affords for
such course, on this occasion there are
other and peculiar circumstances which
lmpel me to trespass upon the attention
OF the Convention for a few moments.
w ere |, sir, standing in the midst of a
! Pennsylvania assembly-among the inn
mediate fellow-citizens of Mr.. Sergeant.
| might readily acquiesce in the proprie-
ty Of remaining silent. For where the
character of John Sergeant is best under
stood, and most justly appreciated, the
bare annunciation of his name is the
proudest eulogy on his virtues. with
it, ir,among those who know him we'll.
are inseparably associated, the ideas
OF lofty talents, inAexible integrity, ex-
banded patriotism, and character con-
lessedly proachable in all the relations
OF private life. But, sir, standing as do,
III the midst of Virginia Convention.
the case is very different. Here his
character is but little understood. He
is known, it is true, to the members ofthe
bar, as a shining light in his profession,
and to politicians as one profoundly vers-
ed in the principles Of constitutional
Jaw. But TO the mass Of the people he is
comparatively unknown Ills partici-
palionin the national councils though dis
tinguished, has been limited, and with
most Of the citizens of Virginia his
claims to the high office for which / pro-