The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-27

The Democratic Convention OF Virginia.
From the Ri hmond Times, March %
The Democratic State Convention met at the
African Church, in this city, yesterday at eleven
O'Clock. Mr.. Cox, of Chesterfield, was called to
the chair, temporarily; and Messrs. William +.
Richie, j. nj. Daniel, and - Brunei, were APP
pointed secretaries.
The proceedings Of the assembled Democracy
were signalized the threshold by fierce and
bostcrous struggle between sold Fogyism" and
'Young America" Mr.. Wise. the champion OF
the first mentioned wing Of the party. offered a
resolution to the effect baa committee, committing
of one from each Congressional district, be APP
pointed by the delegations from the respective dis
tricts, to nominate the permanent officers of the
convention.
The Young Democracy, for reasons best known
to themselves, regarded this move as an attempt to
stock the cards in favor Of MIR. Buchanan; and ac-
cordingly, Mr.. Claiborne, Of Franklin, who 10 UNI
dersOod TO be warm partisan OF Mr. douglas,
offered an amendment the object Of which was to
leave the appointment Of the committee ON organi
cation in the hands OF the temporary chairman,
and not, as proposed by MIR. Wise, In the hands OF
the delegations from the Congressional districts
The question distinctly understood to involve
issue between the old and the young Democ-
racy, or, in other words, between Messrs Buchanan
and Douglas; and accordingly spicy discussion
ensued between Messrs Wise and Claiborne, their
respective champions. The convention adjourned
until four O'Clock without coming to a vote on
the question
At that hour the discussion was resumed and
carried on amidst great excitement and no little
confusion. 1t was argued by Young America that
the adoption of Mr.. Wise's resolution would be
departure from the time honored usages Of the
Democratic party, and would convey reflection
upon the temporary chairman. Old Fogyism dis
claimed any intention TO reflect upon the chair
man. but contended that it but right and pro-
per that the Democracy from every part Of the
State should be represented in the appointment Of
the committee on organizations.
Mr.. Randolph, OF Albemnrle, begged Mr.. Clai
borne to withdraw his amendment, which might
lead to mischief but could not possibly be pro-
ductive OF any good Already there were diversi-
ties Of opinion in the party, which would ultimately
lead serious dissensions, unless the convention,
in it's incipent stage, proceeded with great eau.
ton. One false step, at this critical period, might
lead to difficulties which could not hereafter be re-
paired.
Governor Floyd opposed the resolution Of Mr.
Wise and supported the amendment offered by MIR.
Claiborne He was decidedly opposed to depart
ing from the time honored usaees of the party by
pursuing the course contemplated by the resolu-
ton of MIR. Wise; and while he favored the amend
ment of MIR. Claiborne, it was due to justice to cay
that he did not because Of any dstrust in the
fairness of the chairman. He could say to him, as
ST. Paul said to Alexander, the coppersmith:
1'You have done me seine harm, the Lord reward
you according to your deserts."
Governor Floyd was interrupted in the course
of his remarks by Mr.. Wise, and a somewhat an
cry alteration ensued between those gentlemen,
accompanied with great excitement among the
members Of the convention. This storm had no
sooner blown than another tempest was raised
by Mr.. Rives, of Prince George, who made a
vehement assault upon the member from Acco'
mac He said that when he saw the gentleman
from Accomac offering resolutions protesting to
have in view the interest of the Democratic party
his mind reverted to the time when the youthful
vigor of Mr.. Wise employed in Congress- to
IN ri fha Of
bring defeat and disgrace upon his administration.
The gentleman now claims to be an ardent De-
snocrat; yet, when q motion wac pending In Con-
gress investigate the affairs OF the United 6tates
Bank, the gentleman opposed it with all his might,
and made every effort in his power to screen from
scrutiny the affairs Of this monster Of corruption.
Dir. Wise retortcd, with bis usual spirit deny.
ing that he had sought to screen the affairs OF
the bank from scrutiny. He had quit the admin
istration Of Andrew Jackson because Martin Van
Buren, the enemy Of the South, was the favortc OF
that administration. His object was to purify the
Democracy of such men as Van Buren,, and he
had the satisfaction OF knowing that his ot9ec hao
been attained
Mr.. Rvcs. Then, sir, if that was your motive
for leaving the party, ask with what conslstency
or proprety you could afterwards support General
Harrison, the nominee of the Harrisburg COnven-
ton, who obtained the nomination over Mr. Clay
mainly by the influence OF abolition votes
entire delegation of the South having voted for
Nc. Clay?
Here q scene Of understandable confusion arose
The Democracy, apparently aware OF the unseem-
IL spectacle they presented TO the "outsidc barba
rians" Of the Wing party who thronged the gale
RIGS. determined to put stop to the discussion at
ail hazards, and accordingly the voice Of the in
uePid orator from Prince George was drowned :,
AMID the deaiening cries Of " Question, "quesfion
s'qs~stion" The vote was taken on Air. Ciabornss
amendment late in the evening, by ayes and nocs,
but the rcsulf will not be announced until the
meeting Of the Convention to-day.
The foregoing rough and imperfect sketch was
prepared q late hour, and in great haste, and II
we have dsne any gentleman mi Justice, it will give
us pleasure to repair it,
from The same Paper, March %.
The convention held it's third session, yesterday,
at ten orlock, when the resut of the vote OF the
previourvcning, on Mr.. Ciaiborne's amendment
60 Mr.. Vise's resolution. was announced. The
amendment wac adopted by a vote Of 346 ayes to
pol noes and the resolution passed in its amend
ed shar, thus placing the power OF appointing
the committee on organization in the hands oil
Mr. Co, the temporary chairman oil the con
ventson- The question seemed to be universally re-
garded a test bcween Old Fogyism and Young
America and the triumph OF the latisr was as
cornpletas IL WIS unexpected. The old Dcmoc-
racy submitted TO their fate apparently Win good
grace, lit the smouldering eInbcrs OF their wrath
blaxed firth on more than ono occasion. Thus,
when II name Of Mr.. p. II. Aylett, OF King
William prominent partisan OF Mr.. Dough- !,
was anDunccd by the chairman as mcmber OF
tho committee, delegate from that Congregational
district csc and moved to substitute the name OF
another gentleman in the place Of Mr.. Aylett,
upon thTrouud that the latter gentleman was no,
the choid Of the delegation from bis Congressional
district Mr.. Aylett req arkcd, in reply, that he
had Meter sought desired the appointment,
but mas nich IL had been conferred upon him by
tho cbainap. in pursuance Of authority dehbe-
rstely vded in that officer by the convention, he
should II decline il at the dctaiion OF others
Some fur yer conversation passed between MIR. Ay
lett md w. Wise, which threatened again to die.
turb the ifmonious action OF the Democracy, when
the matt, was cut short by suggestion that the
COMMITTEE on Organization, of which MIR. wise
was chairman. should retire for the purpose OF per-
forming duties.
Tint committee. having retired for short time,
returned I'd presented the name OF John s. Bar
boar, Of upcpper, as president Of the convention
and the ipnes Of fourteen others as vicc- presi-
Jents-Nor Charles Yapcy, Of buckingham,
heading Il list. The report OF the committee was
ratified bthc meeting; and tbus, after an mr.
doous am protrsctod struggle, the Democracy
effected reorganization.
During he retirement OF the committee, the
convcntiowas briefly Addressed by Mcssrs. PAT.
con and sddon of Richmond city, Bedinger OF
IefP oI r,r of