Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-11-07
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION AND
TIE TWO-rHIRDS RULE.

TIE TWO-THIRDS RULE.
The Valley Star replies t" our argument "S"'"''
the tro-thirds rue, in article which IL not e'"'i
sive only because the proposition ~ irrecohc'ino! "
consistent with sound reason. Having suoh''''e"
our objections TO the introduction oi thiS ru'c N'
State Conventions, and to the suppression Oh 't'
voice of the majority by arbitrary and useless OK
ned;ent wa do not propose to continue tho controver-
sv. for our object is not barren triumph {" logic'
but the harmony and success OF tho DeWocra'ic P"r-
=, o,hors may .unport the measure with the vio-
lent obs,nncy Of heated purtizans; having pointed
out the ftiity of the arguments III its avor we suo
NIT il TO the calm consideration OF the party with an
undoubting confidence that they will reject II IL
equally absurd in nature aud mschievous Ill conse-
quenec.
Tho Star concludes its article in language. which,
40 far from provoking disputatlous crclsi,' cohci
ates our sympathy and commands our admiration
.Whle We nre decidedly in favor OF II rule we take
the occasion to say that it's adoption or rejection will
not influence our action in regard to the nominees
We have decided opinions in favor of the two-hiris
| rule, and We have given expression to them Win
canness and ankness, and proper respect for the
| op;nons of those who differ from Us but we will bo
found ready to discharge duty to our principles
our party, and its nominees, whether they shall be
selected upon the "i,co-trds the jor'y Pri"-
c;nLr" We 20 for the of tho cause, and the
only Question between the EngnrCr and ourselves, 49,
as 10 the best means of securing that desirable result
| When tho nominations are made, both shall be
found laborinC zeaously in behalf of the nominees
and exerting whatever Of talent and influences We may
| possess to ensure their election"
| Nf pn
disnterestcd devotion to the interests Of the party
which is worthy of all commendation, but which IL
| too uncommon in those latter days. The time waS
when the only ambition of the Democratic press w"s
to disnyu uish its loyalty to party Then is voice "aS
tho voice of the party not OF faction, much ess VI
personal passion prejudice Then, whatever dit
ference of opinion or diversity of feeling prevailed in
the arty was manifested, not in angry imputation OF
unworthy motive. nor in vindictivc dcnuncation, but
in sober discussion and amicable remon.rance. Eve
~ othor consideration being subordinate to the inter
ests of the party, readily sacrificed personal pre-
ferences 20 public duty Then agcnerons regard waT
manifested for the feelings of others, and every cNpe
Iient of Cancellation and compromise was employee!
to suppress dsatfocton aud to promote harmony
OF late very different spirit prevails, III 80 i"T ~ 10
| excite serious apprehension OF disturbance and de-
feat. There is nothing i'll the fictitious strength OF
Know Nothiugism TO alarm us Tho Wings are inca
pnble OF striking blow. We need fear robody but
ourselves The danger is that violent ard iiisubor-
dirutr temper may provoke dissens"n in our own
ranks, aud thus paralyze ursrength ut critical mo-
mcnt.
The loyalty OF our friend of the Valley sta" cxIIh-
its striking contrust To the selfish iupaticncc and
violence Of other journals which profess devotion
to the interests of the Democratic party. His iide
ty viii be appreciated aud rewarded; Me" dsaliec'
tiou will provoke ultimate exposure and punish
ment. The party cannot be 30 indifferent 10
ts interests as to forget the faithful service of the one
| or tolerate the open treachcry of the other
| For ourselves we mean to pursue course which
shall expose us neither to tho consurc of our friends
| nor TO the applause of enemies. Regarding only
the welfare of our party, personal impulse shall
divert us from the plain path Of duty. Rather than
subject ourselves to the reproach OF passion and vo
lencc, we will extend the impunity Of contempt t"
assaults which might otherwise provoke the chasise-
ment they deserve. Then, if the treachery md i'll
suhordnatiou OF others bring defeat upon the party
no blame will be imputed to this paper.
| STATE AGRICULTURAL SoCIyTY.-The Society met
again las, Friday night in the African Church The
meeting was large one though not 30 full as that OF
the preceding night.
The President announced the following committee
of thirteen, make the inquiries relative to the Pro.
essorship of Agriculture under the resolution OF Mr.
Minor, adopted Monday night
| Messrs. +. Minor of Albcmnrlc, w. II. Macfarland
| of Richmond, Geo II. Nicholson Of Essex, WIN. ).
| Fontaine OF King William, VIM. N. Rndford OF Boe-
tourt j. b. Baldwin of Augusta, y I Cabcll Of Mel
| D,t,r St.i nf Iurnrr of
Frederick, 0. NJ. Crutchfeld OF Spotsy lvala, Thos.
Lee Of Halifax, VIM +. Taylor OF Norfolk and Jas.
| Carr Of Kana~ha.
DIR. Thomas r. Atkinson offered resolution for the
appointment of Il committee Of five to take into con-
sidcrat;On the Constitution aud bylaws OF the So
ciety and to report whit amendments they deem pro-
per TO be made to them, to the next annual meeting
| Of the Society.
Mr.. Peyton of Roanoke moved substitute for this
resolution for an inquiry by committee Ito report to
the next annual meetng) into the c1pedicncy OF So
amending the Constitution to give greater dcbera-
ton 20 the action OF the Society and ensure more
prompt and perfect expression OF its will.
| Mr.. Boiling, of Prince Edward, moved to amend
the substitute by insructing the committee 70 to
amend the Constitution as to provide for the election
of all the officers by viva vucc vote OF all the ein-
| bcrs on the Fair grounds.
| 4 debate ensued, in which Mcssrs. Willis of Or
angc, Randolph Of Albemarle Boiling, Atkinson,
Bondurant Of Buckingham, and Garland OF Rich
| mond, took part
and the resolution of Mr.. Atkinson adopted. The
President took time to appoint the committee.
Mr. Pevton, of Richmond, called attention to the
fact that there vacancy in the Executive Com
mittee since the constitution required that II should
consist of ten exclusive of the other officers the
retary being necessary TO make up the ten. The Irc-
sident said there was another vacancy according t'
that rule which nc considered correct-hc treasurer
| aso being one OF the ten.
The Society proceeded to elect two members to the
Er.cut;ye Committee and Messrs. Hugh VI. Neson,
of Clarke, and Wm NJ. Radford, Of Botetourt, We're
| elected.
Mr. Gilmer, of Albemarle, being calle, out, gave
his views about grazing and grasses, ntersPerssi ,
with much humor, which was heartily enjoyed by the
Society Both hi. theory and practice seemed to meet
general Appreciation.
I'm motion of Mr. Peyton, of Roanoke, resolutions
of thanks adopted, 10 the PRESIDENT ice fres'-
deuts Executive Committee and Secretary; 10 the
Agricultural Commissioner of the past Year to the
City of Richmond in its corporate ana nulFiaua ca
pacity; the Chief Marshal of the Exhibition ana MS
assisants to W. Ballard Preston and to Is. johnson
Barbour for their addresses and to the RAILROADS ana
to tho Steam and Packet Boats for the facilities they
| afforded to the members of the Society
Very appropriate speeches were drawn by these re-
solutions from Mpssrs. Cooke, President, E. Ruiiin,
Mayo, OF Richmond, tacknowlsdglng the compliment
to this cityl and Thos. l.. Preston. Mr. Cooke, al
ludng 10 the feeling and discord that had existed de-
cared that it had all passed away, and the Executive
Committee now understood one another perfectly, and
would get Along nhhloniOuhiy WIFI ihe "ooin e"
trusted to them. The announcement was received
with cheers.
Mr.. peyton made all appropriate speech in offering
his resolutions.
On motion, the Society then adjourned.
-----so -
Hon. Mr., Davis, Secretary of War, and Hon. Mr.
CutLrc Secretary of tho Treasury, returned to W"s-
nctun Oh Friday evening.
Duncan Il. MrRar, Esq. United States C"n'u! at
Paris, arrived IN Washington city a" Friday evening
last Iio is stopping at Wizards Hotel
UNITARIAN CHURCH BURNT.
CoScoKp, N. H., Nov. 3.-The Unitarian Church
;a ~; It,. mas destrnyed by FIRE last night II Is