Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-10-23
RICHMOND CORRESPONDENTS.
"Sac I've begun to scrawl, but whether
In rhyme or prose, or both thegether.
Or some hotch. potch that's rightly neither,
Let time make proof;
But I shall scribbIe down some blethcr

But ] shall scribbIe down blether
Just clean aft loof"lI
RICHMOND, October l7fh, 1850.
Gentlemen According promise will jo down some
little scattering observations The Convention in particu-
lar and matters in general just objects strike me, and
withou, premeditaton 1t is fair to presume that your
ders will like to hear occasionally from Richmond by other
channels than the regular reports of the proceedings Of the
Convention and shall endeavor to furnish you with note
or wo now and then, by way OF illustration and commen-
,ary Not that can promise any thing very new or enter
tanning at first but with the hope that things will become
more and more interesting the conflict of parties
warmer and The new system progresses towards its
petion.
Think it is the general impression that, viewed in the
mass this Convention is most respectable looking body
of men, suffering in comparison with no similar one that
has ever me, in Virginia The number Of young is
great whilst there very few who may be considered
venerable in years in long public services don't know
how it happened but the fact is obvious that the proportion
Of a,overs is in excess We must bow to the wisdom Of
the people, but this overflow Of lawyers looks very much
like bunder. Compared with the Convention Of 1929,
the present one may be fairly considered fully its equal
but this can only be said of its general character there be-
ton. and saving the presence of Mr.. Henry A. Wise, no
John Randolphs, Of Roanoke.
In selecting John Mason lis presiding officer the
House has only fulfilled the indications Of pretty general
public sentiment better choice could hardly have been
made from the Democratic ranks, and if the Judge shall
display throughout The session frmness and mpartiay
equal TO the general suavty Of his demeanou there will be
no reason regre, his appointment This distinguished
gentleman seems to have suffered very little in person from
his labours as Secretary in the Cabinet His figure is
erect and pory his face full and rudy, and his general
mien not unlike that of The late President Taylor IL is
however more like that of we'll fed alderman, than Of a
war-worn veteran.
Among the strongest candidates for the Clerkshp you
will notice the name Of Mr.. French, who has long
been the County Clerk of Giles. This gentleman is
d,ca of quite Lpuan dimensions, but is said to be ev
cry inch man, far professional capacity concern
ed Notwithstanding the shoness of his legs he made
good rum and came very oustrpping his numerous
competitors The Convention not wishing we may pre-
sume to have its proceedings too concse recorded at
rejected Mr. Fenchs suit and appointed the present lncu
bent. The record will therefore, after all, be achatled
down. think, however, that the House did well, and
made timely escape however narrowly, from rather lu-
dicrous Immortality.
The dull business of elecng the Sergeantat-Arms and
Door keepers has been at last finished and The more I'M
poant objects for which the body has been convened VIII
soon begin to occupy their attention In the mean time
YOU may take birds eye view of the Convention in ses-
sion through your correspondents speclaces. Among the
striking men whom you would single out several indi-
yiduas already well known in the political world. The
D., Tho f,l il.a ra1p
of Henry A. Wise would soon arrest the attention OF
stranger Besides these you would Immediately recognize
the familiar features Of such men as Janney, Faulkner
Hunter Southal Summers, and number of others whose
counenances are already sereoyped in the recollection OF
all who are familiar with the councils of the County,
But there several younger men who Will probably force
themselves into notice, and secure fixed elevation In he
political armament Most Of these socaed Democrats,
though not ALL But is easy to trace back their political
bias to certain collegiate influences which have unfortunate
y been too eectualy brought 10 bear upon the youth oil
our State About the youngest looking member Of the Con-
vention is Muscoe R. H. Garrett of Essex, who has acqur-
ed of late certain degree Of notorey by political Tract
written in the true spirit of the Carolina Aposacy with the
view Of preparing the South for separation from the Union
He is gentleman Of warm and amiable feelings, OF lofty
-
ready traced out upon the convouons OF his brain per
feet answer 10 the question-"What constitutes Stale
and perhaps well ordered system government foi any
visionary "isand" over which it may be his fortune here
after to preside But Mr. Garnetts notions about govern
ment are no doubt more refined if better Defined than
those of Sancho Panza the renowned p!oo martyr OF his
school, and he will very certainly take high stand In the
debates of the Convention Mr. Barbour of Cupepper is
another young Democrat of promise. There is however
strong corps Of young Wings whose talents and turn Tor
nrsccal craftsmanship will tell much more powerfully
non The general result than all the nicely spun labrcs o
o,,den,s Of the schools Sanard, Scott and Sheey, have
drawn their political principles from exclusive source
Thew are men of talent energy and some experience and
will not, it hoped dshono Ut 'he 'eheia'0' A''
which they are distinguished.
So much for the Convention as It stands. Fuf'hef ho-
ce of its proceedings must be deferred 10 announcer occaSo
The Military Convention was organized lhls morning III 'ie
African Church. large number Of officers, unllorueu'
and ununormed in attendance and more are eA
pected is hoped that Virginia, now that she is about 10
Law anew the foundation of her government, will provide
for the organization Of such system of discipline, as shall
fit her to assert in Deeds the sovereignty she has SO often
asserted in words The South should love the Unon and
cling to with devoton but every community Of men who
are allowed to bear arms should be SO familiar with the
use of them as to be ready for any emergency Our safety
depends no, upon our gauy our threats but upon our
degree of willingness and preparation to defend our rights
H.
no. We have received the following from lady.
of the Wing who communicates the same
fact saws there is book full of the work alluded on
Giles County:
.Mes,rs Editors The Author of"Leters from the
Blue Ridge quoted by the Alexandra Gazette was mis-
aiken in connecting with the name of the late Chapman
Johnson Eo the circumstance which he relates Of Scots
,oem the Lady of The Lake. being done ooer n1o prose
. accomodate supposed disresh the part of that gen.
eman for comnosition in verse; The person in compliment