Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-06
Tuesday Morning, March 6, ls49.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION

this District, and OF The remarks OF gentlemen,
for the purpose OF showing that while the claims
OF the two very able gentlemen, whose names
were brought before The Convention, were nIseo
by their respective advocates IN Jealous and ami
mated speeches, The Convention could not nave
made a more fortunate selection or one more
likely 10 call forth he united e%xerlions of all, and
tina, the result, So gratifying TO The friends OF Mr..
Seddon, was 10 none more acceptable than 10
Mr.. Caskic himself. Ii will be perceived from
the remarks OF Mr.. Watkins, who claimed 10
know and 10 express the views and feelings Of
Mr.. Caskie in relation 10 the nomination, that he
would never have allowed his name 10 be pre-
scented 10 the Convention if Mr.. Seldom had not
expressed an unwillingness 10 accept a nomina-
ton. Indeed the rare and beautiful spectacle
was exhibited of a generous rivalry s~prnsing up
between Two gentlemen ot known and acknow.
lodged talents, alike distinguished and alike occu-
plying high positions in the Democratic parry,
each of whom had strong claims upon The conf
dence and support OF The Democracy Of this PiS-
trict, but who were bound 10 each other by The
ties of a friendship so strong, so disinteres'ed, maj
each only desired to efiec, The nomination OF The
other.
When ii was in order 10 make Nominations,
Mr.. John Nj. Gregory, OF Henrico, proceeded to
nominate Mr.. James A. Seldom. he expressed
a wish that Mr.. Seldom should be the nominee oil
the Convention, provided Mr.. Seldom himself de-
sired the nomination, would enter with spiri, in
10 the canvass, ami would use his best ~exerliqns
LIZ -. al:.. Il ,.o ~ nnt nur
shoulders 10 The wheel, said h., as We ought 10
do, he was confident that we would succeed with
Mr.. Setdon, il with any body. he meant io
pronounce no eulogy upon Mr.. Seldom, who was
we'll known 10 all present; who had already
served US well and served US faithfully. The
highest compliment which could be paid to a pub
lie servant is that OF well DONE" Others were
equally deserving, II an original appointment
were 10 be made, any one Of whom he was rea-
dy to supports; but, under The circumstances, IT
preferred Mr.. Seldom.
Mr.. j. L. Gordon, Of Louisa, (Mr. Seldom
rising at the same time,) would support J. A.
Seldom, because he had already represented Us
ably and faithfully; and, moreover because he
believed him 10 be The strongest man in The dis
trict. We had a claim upon Mr.. Seldom, and he
was too good a Republican no, 10 yield to the
wishes OF his friends, or 10 shrink from any re
sponsibilily. He was for nominating Mr.. Sed-
don, whether h. desired the nominal ion or not,
for he believed him 10 be The only man who could
bring outthe Democra,ic vote. He spoke Tor his
own counl8>yhich he knew entertained a decided
preference Tor Mr.. Seddon.
Mr.. Seldom then rose, and made the remarks
which were sketc he'd BY US in our Saturdays
paper.
DR.. w. A. P%atleson, OF Richmond, said he
was emboldened by the language Of Mr.. Seldom
TO present The name OF The highly gifted gentle.
man (Mr. Caskie) Of whom ne had s., ken. He
felt assured that there was no cant in wha, Mr..
Seldom had said; he had heard him express he
same sentiments before. The Democratic hear
should Be a unit, and Mr.. Seldom had impressed
II upon US that he preferred private life to public
station, and that lie would enter the canvass, il
made the nominee OF The Convention, not through
choice, but from a sense OF duty, and in obrdi-
ence TO the wishes Of his friends. Could lhe
same zeal and enthusiasm be expected, as had
been shown by him when formerly a candidate,
and when, 10 use his own language, he had tell
the greatest prize and pleasure in being compli-
menled by 50 high an honoT7 For ;heSe reasons
DE should propose the name of John s. Caskie,
whose fame had extended throughout The Sta,e.
Did Mr.. Seddon desire The nomination, he should
cheeIiully support him, bur, under the circum-
stances, he though, ,ha, Mr.. Seddon's recommen.
l.,.on - A.. Chi 80
nomination.
MIR. S. Bassett French (of Chester6eld) rose
with sincere pleasure TO second the nomination
Of Mr.. Caskie, 10 whose remarkable talents
and popularity he paid a warm eulogy. For
Mr.. Seldom the Democracy lad the warmes,
and X ndest feelings, and it he should be the no,
minee, ne would 90 the far,hest in his supper,
10 one aspect, be thought he nomination of Mr.
Caskie was important. The city was Wbig b,
a very large majority, and IL might be 10 MIR.
Caskie's power TO break the str eDgth OF The
Wing part, IN the city. Here he was well
known, and greatly beloved, and if brought for
ward could not fail TO weaken The Wing party.
he urged the nomination of Mr.. C., on the
ground that he would obtain q greater Whie
support than any other.
Mr.. c. w. Dabney (of Hanover) thought
that in this conference of friends, every mar, Of
the district should be heard rom. The prefer
ence of the county Of Hanover was decidedly
and uncQuivocally for MIR. Seddon. Our obiec,
was not TO seek TO crafty any one man, but to
pro mote the success of the party.
Mr.. John b. Young jof Henrico) rose with
feelings of great embarrassment, to perform a
solemn duty. Both the gentlemen were his par.
ticular friends, and he entertained for both the
warmest personal regard, but he came here un-
der a strong sense Of duty, to record his vote
for James a. Seldom, as BY far the strongest
man. nineteenth, of the Democratic voters Of
his county were for J. A. Seldom. and be could
not do otherwise than act in obedience to their
wishes.
MIR. K. G. Scott (of Richmond in a very fer.
chile and Impressive manner, sustained The no.
mination OF MIR Caskle. He was ready 10 %
heart and soul for the nominee of the Conven.
ton, and to do all in his power 10 promote he
election. Never bad he a more painful duty ia
perform than TO select between two gentlemen,
whom he had known long and well, who we re
his friends aud neighbors, and for whom no had
the highest admiration. If Mr.. Seldom bad
left the question 10 the Convention. he should
have hesitaied. But Mr.. Seldom has told ;.
himself, and truly, tina, The nomination wo,,d !,
distas,eiul TO him. Was it The part of wisdom
10 a closely contested dis,ricl ike ours. 10 selec,
a candidate 10 whom the nomination would bt
distasteful2 He (Mr. Scott did no, be!irv.
that it was essential and necessary to success
10 take any particular man. lie believed TIM,
whoever might be the ee, wou d receiy,
tho cordial sLnnnrI Of lha lapnna..a. :. :.