Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-30
a WEAR AGO !

publican parry is 50 Just and honorable TO his
memory, SO graphic in its description OF Inc most
thrilling scene tina, il has ever been our lot 10
witness, that We are sure OF comforting pleasure
On our readers b. transferring il entire 10 li'e CO.
lumns Of the Enquirer II also brings back 10 our
memory iha, this day twelve months ago, ('o'h
Nav, 1871, the Democratic Convention al bal
iimore concluded its mighty abors, and present.
e! to the country the names Of two sehlleiiieh
who were taken up and elected 10 The highest no.
nor>, by the unbnught sutfraseS OF great peo-
pie. That Convention, and the momenio'iS scenes
that surrounded il, ought never 10 be lost 10 inc
view Of the nation. Its action afterwards So iui-
IL sanctioned BY The people, was indeed mora,
triumph OF principles over the strongest personal
and parry considerations. Mr.. Clay was a""0S
President of the United States The hearts OF
The people were for him; it only needed theil
voices 10 admit him 10 the full enjoyment oil ms
!one-cherished ambiiion-at least, 80 SAID ms
confident supporters. The Wing party, in scrr'ea
column, fought BY his side one and indivisible-
all faction had been Guelled-lhere was but one
man Ia lead them 10 certain victory, all agreed
and that man was Henry Clay
How different, The altitude Of ne Republicans!
The position which Mr.. Van Buren, fell bound
10 assume on the Texas question, had broken up
The organization in favor Of his high claims upon
which the whole party hat seemed 10 se,tle down.
Divisions and heart.burnings filled oar ranks.-
We were split up into factions, each one warm
Is pressing The claims Of his peculiar iavoriie-
Douli and defeat seemed TO hang over our noble
cause. When The delegates from the various
States came together in council The most san
guinp expected bnl lii,le good from deliberalon.
tone time. a series Of exciting scenes threaten
ed dissolution oithe convention, and, OF course,
an utter ron, OF the Republican party. But, hnai-
IL. The voice OF wisdom and reason prevailed
The moral influence OF the conservative principles
Of our party was thrown over he excited elements
as II with a single heart, the immense multitude
put away their prejudicrs and preferences and
centred upon new man, as The honored stan
dard bearer Of The Republican cause. The moral
beauty OF the spectacle then presented couc mol
he surpassed. II was victory OF truth, patriot
ism. AID self4ievotion, over selfish and ambitious
passions. 1t was the echo Of the voice OF tree
people, demanding heavy sacrifices, TO save The
Constitution and the UEion. Ii gave stern
warning 10 the nation that the principles OF me
Democratic Parry were above all price, and
shculd never be made 10 bend in the least, 10 The
ambition OF anv man, however brilliant his
talents, or eminent his services.
The National in;elligencer may carp al the
n,rjnue.born distractions OF that assembly, OF
"rhe schemes OF that cabal, the followers OF Mr..
Calhoun OF @the sill greater treachery OF Ger
Tain instructed but false adheIents 10 the nomina-
ton" of shat nons!rous and incredible TICK,
The lwo-,hirls rule" &c. We defy history 10
produce meeting, whose action was less tainted
b. any shade of intrigue, or governed by higher
or more honorable motives. All will concede,
tina, none ever resulted 50 brilliantly. The very
fac, dwelt upon BY The National lnIeliScncer'
thai Mr.. Polk was not previously thought oil Tor
The office is The best answer 10 The lmputation OF
intrigue. He was at his quiet home IN lennes-
see. By a sori OF magic, his name was brought
up in the midst OF The exciting struggle. ms
virtues, his strict principles and devoion 10 lhe
Constitution instantly presented themselves 10 me
minds Of The Republican delegates and he was
nominated by reclamation. Subsequent events
proved the wisdom of the selection in VAN dd
The Wing press hnIl the charge Of intrigue" al
the conduct Of the representatives OF lice peo-
pe---in vain was every species OF TICK ana de
nson invoked 10 PROSTATE the Republican parry
The people, by their solemn voice. sanctioned
The proceedings OF that Convention, and declared
Mer opinion of the purity and honor oil It's action
Much good has already followed the glorious
result in November Texas is about 10 add her
brilliant light 10 our constellation. had MI
Clay been successful, would she mol now be on
the point of yielding herself a vassal 10 Gfeal
Bri,ainq The Oregon difficulty will be conduct
cd with frmness and moderation, and win lae
sincere desire 10 protect our honor ana secure
peacc for ourselves and the world. A monster
Bank will not dare TO raise its hydra head-ani
The oppressive Tariff will, we have confidence
be reduced 10 the standard of justice 10 al, anu
favor 10 none.
Virginia, who has done so much To establish
her own principles, has already felt me Sehia'
influence OF the November triumph, and mas Jusl
come on, Of struggle, which has covered heF
with honor, and promises 10 secure The perma-
nency of Jefersonian principles. o'her o'a'es
will follow in her wake-and the whole Repuoii-
can party will rejoice in The action OF Inc ia'e
Baltimore Convention, and ridicule the ieeo'e
cry Of "inlrigne," rc-cchoed at this distant day.
But We will no longer keep our readers from an
eloquent and touching picture Of the noble bear
ing Of the lamen,ed w. II. Roane, embracing as
ii does, many facts deeply interesting 10 The whole
party, but 10 that Of Virginia in particular
Never shall We forget The part which ne MI
Roanc.) designated as The father OF me virginia
delegation in hat body, acted in The batlinoIe IoI-
venlion. The convention, alter seven i'ni'ess edl.
lolings adjourned on Tuesday evening IN siea,
disorder. The feelings OF many members haa
been chaled into deep irritation, the fires OF pas
sion were lighted, and certain defeat seeneu 70
await our shattered and broken leSlons:,
"The Convention assembled on WEDNESDAY
without any visible improvement IN our pros
poets. ard an eighth ballot was ordered. On this
ballot, when New Hampshire was called, her
in The course Of the ballolins, that gentleman re-
ceived forly.iour votes. Il was eviden! lhal INC
name had been suggested, which, WIN proper
concession, might secure the reunion OF Inc par
ly-bu, The question was, would the concession
be made7 Would New York and Virginia lay
aside their iavore candidates, and unite on on.
who had not hitherto been in the helds All was
suspense and doubt and anxiety.
"On The ninth ballot, Maine led OH ior foiSi
and when her vote was announced, there was an
evident sensation. New Hampshire followed;
Vernon, went still for Cas-; Massachusetts gave
ten for Polk and two Tor Cas-; Connecticut SIX
for Polk. AT length New York was reached, but
her delegates were sill in consultation, and she
was passed, bur ultimately resolved 10 adhere %
Mr.. Van Buren, Virginia had also decided 10
vote for Cass, as before but the current OF feeling
was evidently changing throughout the Conven,
ton, and when she was called, there was so maeh
hesitation and doub, in The delegation, that Mr.
Roane asked time for further consultation, and
withdrew amid the cheers and applause OF The as
sembled multitude. During the absence oil Inc
Virginia delegation, Two or three oil the minor
States voted; all showing increased strength for