Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-11-29
STAUNlON SPECTATOR.
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 3D. 1851
THE Democratic convention.


THE Democratic Convention
Tho croa, SanheJrim of Virginia Democracy
will assemble in this place Tomorrow h"fsuayl
ro,rr,,ne for the purpose Of selecting candidates
far the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor
and Attorney General. According to the itch
mond Enquirer This is the sole object OF TINS .On-
yention. and they can do nothing else "'"ou'
recklessly overlapping their delegated power
Other papers differ materially from the enquirer
and insist upon laying down platform OF resoiu-
tiops. with an especial view to an expression OF
opinion upon that iniquitors scheme Tor s"'n3
way the public lands, known as the "iinn'er
Land Bill" They very justly conceive that this
bill Yields the great principle tor which Inc Dem
ocratic party of Virginia has so long commended,
and properly consider it the duty OF this Conven-
linn tn take the matter into consideration. Again,
according to the Eng'sirer, major'y OF the dele
ca,es in attendance ought 10 select the candidates.
Other papers think differently, and insist That
vote of TWO thirds shall be necessary to choice
The nuestion has also arisen whether the votes
shall be cast hy counties or by individuals, and
upon this point there will probably be difference
of opinion. 1t will be seen then that the harnlo
Minus Democracy have few "bones OF conten-
ton" to quarrel over, independently OF preferences
for particular candidates. The Convention VIII
be divided into two prominent factions, indepen-
dent of yarious little subdivisions. between which
=. etri haSh npn
oressinu for some time past We alude to those
who favor the nomination of Mr.. Henry A.Nlse.
and ,bose who advocate the nomination of Mr..
Shelton f. Leake. Mr. Smith will have his
friends in the body. but they will keep quiet at
the openinq of the game. and watch their chances
during its progress The Wise men advocate
the Democratic doctrine that the majority shall
rule the Leake men, fearing that their iavorite
cannot be selected under this rule, urge the pro-
nriety of two-thirds vote, which they think will
take him through. The Wise men oppose an
expression of opinion on the Hunter Land Bill /;
the partisans of Leake favor it. The former will
probably prefer vote BY counties; the latter BY
individuals.
Thus stand matters, and the Convention will
meet TO morrow for the purpose Of harmonizing all
these conflicting opinions and Interests, and ad-
dress themselves TO the delightful task of selecting
candidates that will please everybody. Will they
accomplish it
The Convention is composed of elements that
will produce Tremendous explosion by the ap
plicatiun of single spark. II portion OF the
delegates think there has been great deal OF
political rascality in the getting up Of this Con-
ventiou,' will they tanely submit to 1t! VIII
those who are disposed to act independently be
gagged and bound" by few party tricksters,
and cover before the horrors Of that lawful a
| byss' Of political annihilation with which they
have been threatened? Certainly if they talk
| half as bravely in the Convention as they have
written in their newspapers, they will rebel a
gainst the exercise of ''martial law" and boldly
denuunce the efforts of few designing politicians
to stifle the voice of the people. 1t may be. how
ever, that after all their show of fight they will
stand quietly by and see the managers go through
the motions"
We do not pretend to predict who will be the
candidate for Governor. though we consider the
chances of Mr.. Wise decidedly the best. 1t may
be, however, and we think it very likely, that the
Convention will be forced to reject both Wise and
Leake to avoid ruiuous split, and select some
man who has not been prominently mentioned in
connexion with the office. In order, however, Ia
establish our relationship with ''prophet or the
son of prophet we venture 10 predict one thing
the Convention will be mum on the land question.
The party is divided on that question and they
will not hazard an expression of opinion. They
will be afraid to speak out on a question about
which they have been resolving for years, just al
the Juncture when they ought to speak, for fear Of
losing few votes. The Enquirer has said they
must not ard they will not. Our firm conviction
is that the sceptre has not yet departed from the
elite, and that the issue of this Convention WI,
prove it.