Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-27
DEMOCRATIC CONVERSION OF VIRGINIA.

/ DEMOCHATIC CONVENTION OF VIRGINIA
BY the Telegraphic dispatches from Richmond,
Published in our daily paper Of Thursday last, our
readers we're informed that the Democratic State
Convention of Virginia, which assembled on Wed
nesday, failed to complete its organization on that
day. How its time was occupied will appear by the
following summary Of its proceedings, copied from
the Richmond Times
The proceedings Of the assembled Democracy sig
nalzed tine threshold by fierce and boisterous strug
gle between 'sOld Fogyim" and Young America
Mr. WISE the champion Of the aforementioned wing Of
the party, offered resolution to the effect that
mittee consisting Of from each Congressional district
be appointed by the delegations from the respective dis
rics to nominate permanent officers of the Convention
The Young Democracy, for best known to them
selves regarded this move attempt to stock tire
cards in favor Of Mr. Buchanan and accordingly Mr.
CLAIBORNE, of Franklin, who is understood to be warm
partisan OF Mr. Douglas, offered amendment the OBJ
ect OF which was to leave the appointment of the
mittee on organization in the hands of the temporary
chairman and not proposed by Mr. WISE in the hands
of the delegations from the Congressional districts The
question was distinctly understood involve issue
between the old and the young Democracy; or in other
words between Messrs. Buchanan and Douglas and
cordngy spicy discussion ensued between Messrs Wise
and Claiborne their respective champions. The Convcn
ton adjourned over until o'clock without coming to
vote on the question.
At that hour the discussion was resumed and carried
on AMIDST great excitement and little confusion II
was argued by Young America that the adoption Of Mr.:
Wises resolution would be departure from the time
honored usages Of the Democratic party and would
vey reflection upon the temporary chairman. Old Fogy
ism discaimed any intention reflect upon the chairman
but contended that it was but right and proper that the
Democracy from every part Of the State should be repre-
scented in the appointment of the committee on organi
| zstion.
Mr. RANDOLPH, of Alhemarle, begged Mr. Claiborne to
withdraw his amendment which might lead to mischief
but could not possibly be productive Of any good AL
adxk
would ultimately lead serious dssensons unless the
Convention in its ncpient stage proceeded with great
caution One false step at this critical period might lead
TO difficulties which could not hereafter be repaired.
Gov. FLOYD opposed the resolution of Mr.. Wise, and
supported the amendment offered by Mr. Claiborne. He
was decidedly opposed to departing from the time
gsages Of the party BY pursuing the course con-
favored the amendment of Mr. Claiborne it due to
justice to say that he did Of any disrust
in the fairness Of the chairman He could to him as
St. Paul said to Alexander, the coppersmth, Youhave
done me some harm the Lord reward you according to
your deserts
Gov FLOYD interrupted in the Of his remarks
by Mr. WISE, and somewhat angry alteration ensued
between those gentlemen accompanied with great excite
among the members of the Convention This storm
had sooner blown than another tempest raised
by Mr. RIvEs, of Prince George, who made vehement
assault upon the member from Accomac He said that
when he the gentleman from Accomac offering
utons protesting to have in view the interest of the De-
mocratic party his mind reverted the time when the
youthful vgor Of Mr. Wise employed in Congress to
thwart the of Andrew Jackson and to bring de-
feat and disgrace upon his Administration The gentle
man now claims to be an ardent Democrat; yet when
motion was pending in Congress to investigate the affairs
of the United States Bank the gentleman opposed with
all his might and made every effort in his power to
from scrutiny the affairs of this monster of corruption
Mr. WISE retorted with his usual spirit denying that he
had sought to screen the affairs of the bank from
scrutiny. He had quit the administration of Andrew
Jackson because Martin Van Buren,, the enemy Of the
South, the favorite of that administration His OBJ
ject to purify the Democracy of such Van
Buren, and he had the satisfaction Of knowing that his
/ object had been attained.
Mr. RvEs. Then, sir, if that was your motive for
leaving the party, ask with what consistency pro-
prety you could afterwards support Gen. Harrison the
nominee of the Harrisburg Convention who obtained the
nomination over Mr. Clay mainly oy the influence Of
| voted for Mr. Clay?
Here scene Of indescrbable confusion arose. The
Democracy, apparently of the unseemy spectacle
they presented to the outside barbarans of the Wing
party who thronged the galleries, determined to put q
stop the discussion at all hazards and accordingly the
voice of the intrepid orator from Prince George was
drowned amid the deafenng cries of question" ques-
ton" ''queshon ~ The vote taken Mr.. Clair
bornes amendment late in the evening by ayes and
but the result will not be announced until the meeting Of
the Convention to-day.
The Richmond Enquirer says that the Convention is
the largest held in vrgnaone hundred and thirty
counties cities &C. being represented by five hundred
and oryeght Delegates leaving only fourteen counties
unrepresented OF the proceedings the paper says
"Strange say, after long and animated discussion
and two proracted sessions the Convention is yet
ganzed. struggle took place upon the preliminary
question Of appointing the committee Of organization and
that question is not yet settled Many eloquent and inn
FASHIONED speeches delivered embracing ausiens
the propety Of expressing the preference Of the Conven
ton for Presidential candidates the claims the latter
though called and the consistency Of
leading members Of the Democratic party Of the State
and hard but good-natured hits given and
ceived We regretted to past events and criticisms Of
present members Of the party lugged into the discussion
II the Democracy Of Virginia-invincible when united
desire to maintain their predominance they must let
cones be bygones, and unite upon their old maxim Of
principles not men, We them that the Wings
would prefer nothing better than continuation Of the
cited debate of yesterday"
Teegraphic reports Of the proceedings of Thurs
day represent the Convention to have been more
quiet and harmonious On re-assembling in the
morning it was found that Mr. WIsE's proposition
had been voted down-346 to 261-thus defeating
} the "Old Fogies" Hon. JOHN s. BARBOUR was
then elected President, and the Convention was fully
organized by the appointment of fourteen Vice
} Presidents and six Secretaries. A committee was
then chosen to report on business, which had not
, reported at our latest account
This body brought its labors to a close yesterday,
at Richmond, after q session of three days The
principal part Of Thursday was devoted to organic
ing the Convention, Of which we gave some account
in our last paper and the listening to harmonic
ing" speeches, Of which many were made.
Yesterday resolutions were passed affirming the
resolutions of 1899 denouncino n nrotect;ve