Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-09-05
THE ORGANIZATION.

II was nearly O'Clock when the whole
body was arranged around the stands
The Convention wa, called to order by
PHILIP WILLIAMS, JR. Esq, who nomi-
mated TO the meeting ROBERT Y. CON.
RAD, ESQ.,, as President, and this nomi-
nation was confirmed by a unanimous
vote.
John S. Gallsher, ESQ.,, then presented
the report of the nominating committee,
and the following additional officers were
chosen:
Vice President-Thomas GIiggs and
John Yates, of Jefferson; Edward Colston
and Chas. ]. Faulkner, of Berkeley; DR..
]. J. Thompson AID Abraham Kendrick
of Page county Mordecai Cloud and
Rober, Al. Marshall, of Warren; Edward
J. Smith and Thomas +. Nelson, of
Clarke Cromwell Orrick and John O..
Ferrall, of Morgan; Isaac Pancake and
Christopher Heiskell, Of Hampshire /;
Richard w. Barton and Robert L. Bald.
win, of Frederick.
Secretaries-John S. Gallaher, Of Fred,
erick Edmund p. Hunter, of Berkeley !;
William Harper, Of Hampshire w. C.
Worthington, OF Jefferson John Hay, of
Clarke.
Mr.. CONRAD opened the business of
the Convention in a brief, but very OPP
propriate address, in which he alluded to
the deep interest manifested in the cause
Of the country--an interest which moth.
ing but patriotic concern for the safety
OF our institutions could excite. He con-
graduated the immense assemblage be-
fore hun, on the prospect Of regenerating
Virginia, and introduced TO the meeting
the Hon. WILLIAM C. RlVES, as one
whose experience and ability would ena.
BILE him TO discourse with them on the to.
pics now in issue between the two par.
ties, and would occupy their time for
few hours both pleasantly and pro6tably.
Mr.. RIvEs then took the stand, amidst
long continued cheers and for more than
three hours entertained his vast auditory
with mastery argument on the topict
before the country--vindicatng himself
from the charge Of Inconsistency in refer
ence to his opposition 10 the present Ia
riff before its beneficial effects had been
developed. He declared that he had al
ways occupied the Madsonian ground on
this subject, never denying the consti,u.
tionality of Tariff which should piotec,
Home Industry, but, thinking with most
OF the Southern men that the principle
had been pushed to extremes, he had been
found in opposition to Mr.. Clay. Mr.. r.
warned his hearers of the Danger to be
apPiehended from the disorganizng sen.
tlments propagated and maintained to
South Carolina; and conjured his Demo
cratic brethren 10 come out from the party,
as he had done now and forerer! His
contrast between Messrs. Clay and Polk
was forcible and striking--and his tribute
TO Mr.. Clay, as the statesman of both
head and heart, always great in crisis
and ever ready to sacrifice himself for his
country, was truly eloquent and impress.
sive. These passages elected :hunders
of applause, and left general impression
that fame had not exaggerated Mr.. Il S
powers as an accomplished popular orator
and debater.
When Mr.. Rives concluded, u recess
was taken for refreshment and such per-
sons as had not left the Feast of reason TO
partake Of the substantlals at the we'll.
spread tables which had been accessible
throughout the whole day, now partook
of the ample fare provided.
REVERDY JOHNSON, Esq, of Bal.
,imore, was next introduced, and com.
lmenced powerful argument, as all his
speeches are, but, offer speaking about
an hour, he suspended his remarks, to be
concluded the next day. Tho meeting
then adjourned over.