Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-03-23
Buckingham, March Is, 1889.
MIR DROMGOOLE'S SPEECH.


IN The Virginia CpnrentOn Tuesday Might March -.
Mr. Watkins having submitted motion for the ad-
iournment Of the Conventions at the request OF Mr..
Diomgoole he withdrew it.
Mr.. DROMGOOLE said, he hoped it was understood
that the members Of the Convention who had not yet
prepared their lists Of Committees of Vigilance for the
different counties in the Commonwealth, might be per.
mitled TO do their convenience, and hand them 10
the Secretaries without formal report 10 the Conven.
ton He urged The importance OF complying fully and
faithfully with this branch of our duty-as means of
ensurng concert and unanimy and zeal among De.
mocrac friends throughout the State. We have, said
he, contend with wily industrious, and disciplined
party. We have to fight over The battle of 9S The
issues joined the principles involved which
characterized that memorable and eventiu struggle
The Republican party, with a sincere and unwavering
devotion the political creed then avowed and success
fully maintained, If united and active, will again achieve
brilliant trumph-We have still left venerable
men, who devoted their youth and the Vigor of their
manhood the glorious cause and who WILL by their
paternal advice and hearty cooperation inspire us with
courage and confidence in the coming contest. 1t is
most gratifying specace-it augurs vlcory-to see here
among those who were youthful and gallant soldiers
in defence Of principle al the close Of the last century
They bring 10 our aid the veneraon and influence due
to long life Of political consistency, whilst, at the same
time they manifest all the ardor Of youth, inspired ma
turay by the "reminiscences Of former struggles Their
youthful and less experienced followers, with such
noble examples, will not, cannot be laggards.
Sir, said Mr.. D., have publicly proclaimed in this
Hall, that have TO fight the battle OF 9S-We
have to meet the Federal party, MAINTAINING IN
aggravated and alarming FORM the abominable pro-
visions of The Sedition act Of The elder Adams. The
Address 10 the People OF Virginia, which we have this
evening adopted alIudes in appropriate terms TO the bill
introduced into the Senate OF the w. States, In rela
ton 10 the conduct of certain subordinate Federal Off
Selling upon just and jealous oPprehenslons Of
improper influence Of the patronage of Federal office
in of elections they, our Federal opponents ex
pected TO themselves from critical observation
and indignant rebuke, whilst, under the forms OF le
gisatve enactments for the ostensbe purpose of pre-
serving the pure exercise Of the elective franchise they
would have doomed the voice Of freemen TO gnominous
silence, and would have pe!raed an unPrncpled vo-
lation of the dearest rights OF independent citizens
Besides the wanton aggression upon the individual and
equal privilege of every voter, this bill virtually embo.
died gratulous unwarantabe and odlous interference
with the sacred right Of the respective States to guard
and defend BY their appropriate legislation the pu
rty of their own elections .-Crendens bill was la-
tudnous extension Of the principles of the old Sedon
Act
History has recorded the occurrence in the House of
Representatives of the w. States of the memorable effort
of the excited and Federats to expe Matthew
Lyon II is worthy Of remark-of especial consdera
tion-hat after lapse Of two hths OF century pre-
csely, day, the scene should be exhibited in
the House of Representatives ! ask the particular at
tenlon Of the members of this Convention 10
markable condolences On Friday the 22d day Of Feb
ruary $780, vote taken for the expulsion OF Mat
thew Lyon On Friday, the 22d day of February, 1889,
vote was taken upon similar movement against Alex.
ander Duncan The day Of the week-the same day
of the monlh-after an interval OF forty years. Mr. Lyon
had been convicted fined and by the Judgment
of court for offence created by unconstitutional act
of Congress- TO overwhelmingly publications against
the President members of Congress- and officers OF the
Federal Government Without the continuance or sane
ton of even unconstitutional law-whout the form
of trial. conviction and Judgment by judicial tribunal
an effort was made-the power was clamed-to expel
member land the 2nd day of last Feb only from the
House of Representatives. not for words spoken on the
Hoor the presence Of the House, but for an alleged
lbellous publication in newspaper Inc alarming pre-
is set up, that majority, under the impulse OF
party excite may expel representative OF Inc peo
pie for newspaper publication, which they, and not
competent judicial tribunal may decide to be denmatory
and lbelous against members Of their own Party-and
thus wanonly and unconsttutionaly s,fe the voice Of
10000 freemen, by the election OF their own selected
organ
/ repeat Sir that recent occurrences in(alliby and
completely identify our present opposition WIN the ola
Federal partythe ancient enemies of Republican ins-
tutons and Democratic principles. No candid and inn
partial man can examine Critendens bill in the Senate
and calmly review the late effort in the House OF Repre-
sentatves to expel member-and then deny the entire
identity of the party opposed to the present Republican
administration with The old Federal patty OF SedltIon
Law notoriety.
For these considerations, appeal to the members Of
the Convention not to separate without organizing COM
m,tees of vigilance and operation in every part OF the
Commonwealth. With unanimiy with Jealous CO oPe'
ration we march forth, in the approaching elections, to
certain victory The appointment of these committees,
with to meet and enlarge their mum.
bes, will have happy tendency dfuse good spirit
among our friends every where, to Danish selfish consi
deratons, and 10 induce numerous and willing attend
ance at the polls Then, Sir we need not fear the
suit Never have the Democracy of Virginia, when
reused and animated 10 of duty to their prnci-
pies, been defeated
From 49, down to the present time, have had con
tests with our opponents-who, at various times, have
presented themselves the field under different Names
false guises and decei,ful pretences without
changing their essential and characteristic doctrines
We have often trumphed. With hearty response from
all quarters of our beloved Commonwealth to the cheer
ing exhoration of our Address-"To the Polls
shall again, most assuredly, win brilliant success We
shall ugain rcins.ate the true and 'Iict nterPrea'