Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-06-08


JOSEPH R. KEMP, Baden county.
DR.. SHERWOOD, Stricklands Duplin county.
B. s. KooNcE, Richland onslOw county.
CSSSSSSSSSSC
The CoNvENT1oN.-We enjoyed the plea
sure of attending the Democratic Convention
for this District, which assembled in Clinton
on Thursday, the 3lst ult., and had hoped to
be able to lay the official proceedings before
our readers in the present number of the Jour-
nal, but have been prevented by unavoidable
circumstances. The only copy made out at
the time, was forwarded to the Carolinian, in
Fayetteville, in the hope that it could be pub
lished in that paper of Saturday last. As our
paper for last week was already published,
we depended upon obtaining copy for the
present number from the Carolinian. Unfor-
tunately the proceedings were received too late
for publication, and we are cut off from that
source, while at the same time Mr.. Hill, one
of the Secretaries, resident in this place, is alb
sent at Onslow Court. Under these CROWN
stances, we must content ourselves with such
a sketch as we can make from memory.
The Convention, which was very full, as.
sembled in the Court House, between 4 and
IL o'clock, on Thursday, and Immediately
proceeded 10 organization, by calling Captain
Gee, of Fayetteville, to the Chair, and ap-
pointing Messrs. Hill. OF New Hanover, and
Graham, of Duplin, Secretaries. The call for
delegates from the various counties was then
made. and it appeared that all were represent
ed. either directly or by proxy. Several mat
tiers re ating to organization were disposed of
before dinner, which was provided by the
hospitality of the citizens at the house of Dr.
Mckay. Immediately after dinner, the Con-
vention re-assembled for business, and adop-
ted as basis for voting, the representation
which each county possesses in the popular
branch of the State Legislature, viz New
Hanover 2; Duplin 2; Sampson 2; Cumber-
land 2; Robson 2; Brunswick ! ; Bladen / :;
Onslow l, and Columbus /. After some dis
cussion, the two-thirds rule was adopted. The
Convention then proceeded to baIloting-Hon.
Robert Strange, and VIM. S. Ashe and John
A. Averitt, Esqs., being placed in nomination.
Considerable balloting was had during the
evening. but neither of the candidates obtain
ing the requisite majority, the Convention ad-
journed until o'clock next morning
After the first ballotting on Friday, VIM. S.
AsHE, Esq, obtained nine out of fourteen
votes The question was then put whether
this vote, although lacking a fraction of two
thirds, should not be considered conclusive,
which was decided in the affirmative. and Mr.
AsHE duly declared the nominee OF the con-
vention. Upon motion the nomination was,
by reclamation, declared unanimous, and a
committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Hill.
Williams and Fulton, appointed by the chair
to apprize Mr. AsHE of his nomination, and
request his acceptance of the same. Resolu-
lions of thanks to the officers of the meeting, of
publication, &C., were adopted, and the Con-
vention adjourned sine die.
We have thus in the absence of the official
report, endeavored to give brief statement
of the leading features of the Convention. Per-
haps we should add that the names of Gen.
Mckay, Mr.. Dobbin, and Mr.. Holmes, were,
at various times proposed as compromise can
didates, although, we believe, without the
knowledge or consent of any of those gentle
men. 1t is also due to Gen. Mckay to state
that Mr.. Mcdowell of Bladen county, in
formed the Convention, that he was per-
sonally requested by Gen. Mckay, not to al
low his name TO be used as a candidate. We
have also been requested by MIR. Mcdowell
to make this statement explicitly and emphat
ically, as contrary report had gone abroad
calculated 10 place Gen Mckay in false po
s.tion before the district.
Altogether the Convention was character
ised by the very best spirit. AS might havr
been expected, different delegates had thei
several preferences which they urged warmly
yet respectfully, upon the convention, yet il
no case to the disparagement of other plomi
nent Democrats of the district. Not wor
savouring of dsrespect or lad feeling passe
the lips of any individual present,-nothin
occurred to mar the harmony or weaken tn
good feeling with which all will unite in sup
port of the nominee. Of that nominee,
would be superfuous for US to speak. MI
AsHE is too we'll known to the Democrat,
of this district to require anything at our hands
If long and faithful services, innrmerabl
sacrifices for the good of the party, bightone
patriotism. and gentemaniy bearing enttle
man to public support, few men have strong
er claims upon his own party, or upon th
district in general, than Mr.. AsHE. We fet
confident that he will receive liberal, harmc
NOUS and united support.
P. S.-Since the above article was in type
we have received copy of the proceeding
of the Convention, sent to US by the Editc
of the Carolinian, which follows:
THURSDAY, May 31st, 1S49.
On motion, the Convention was organize
by calling James R. Gee to the chair and al
pointing Stephen Graham and William Hi
secretaries.
The following gentlemen took seats in ii
Convention, as delegates from the respectiV
counties:
Duplin-A. ]. Grady, N. P. Mathis, w.
Ward, c. o. Hurst, H. Newkirk, J. G. Dick
son, ]. w. Bount, William Faison, H. Sull
van, S. Graham