Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-04-26
LYNcHRlRa. April u. 50.


/ DEAR SIR: On my arrival in Lynohbarg thi.
morning received yours of the 18th of April
In reply hive only to say, that Major Garland
was wholly msinformed as to my course in the
Stauntou Convention. did not move to make
the nomination of Mr.. Wise unanimous; nor did
! vote for the motion, when made by another.
made a speech in the Convention in favor Of
Shackelford's resolution, which required that
the nominee of the Convention should receive n
majority Of the entire Democratic vote of tho
State. Whilst advocating that resolution, said ::
adopt the resolution of the gentleman from
Culpcpper, aud will vote for the nominee, even
though it be Henry A. Wise of Aocomao." That
resolution was not adopted left the Convcn-
ton pending tho nomination of u candidate for
the office of Lieut.. Governor, and was not pro
sent when Mr. MoComas and Mr. Bocock were
nominated.
Since my refusal TO support Mr.. Wise, have
fallen into very bad repute with my old political
associates. They do not consider that Mr..
Wise, by his own act has released me from any
obligation to support him on party grounds. The
candidate of a Convention is expected to stand
upon the platform of the party that dominates
him. Mr.. Wise was nominated by Democratic
convention. Everybody knows the position Of
tho Democracy of Virginia on the subject of the
Public Lands-yet Mr.. Wise is reported us say
ing, in his speech ut Warrenton. after tho nom
nation that "he had not carefully examined Mr.
Hunters bill, but, he understood it, it was
merely question of graduation,to which no had
no objection" According to the report of that
in hn
renton Flag, democratic MIR. Wise was COM
mittcd to the Hunter bill, The Hunter bill is
more Objectionable to Virginia Democracy, aud
more obnoxious To the often uyowed principles Of
the party, than tho Homestead bill Tho Home
stead bill proposes donations to the native citi
zons of the Union. The Hunter bill gives indis-
criminately IL residents "f the States, whether
hailing originally from Kamschatka, China or
Fece; and instead of u nominal gift, it charges
for them lve,and Il half cents per acre. paya-
Bile in FIVE years.
As do not expect to 60 into the papers again,
permit me, though not responsive To your note,
to say u word on another subject. The fact that
| was u member of the American organization,
at the time was in attendance at the Staunton
Convention, has been attempted to be used TO my
prejudice. Probably, if the fact could be known,
was not the only delegate in that category
Prior to the assembling Of that Convention, Mr..
Wise was the only gentleman spoken of as a
probable or possible nominee, who had taken a
public position of hostility to tho American move
ment. | went there, to prevent, if possible, his
nomination, and secure that of Mr.. Leake, who,
in reply to the same question that had been pro-
pounded to Mr. Wise, had contonted himself
with merely disayowing connection with the
order. Ant-Americansm was not at that time IA
test of Democracy. The Convention itself adopt
ed no such standard and there was no certainty
when | took my seat, rs member, that the nom
inatinn might not be conferred on Smith, Patton.
Beale or some other good and true Democrat.
who might have thought it no derogation from
his Democracy 10 have been also good and true
American did not conceive. and do not now
conceive, that there was any thing repugnant t,
good faith, good morals. or good Democracy, il
my being member of tho Staunton Convention
though an American.
Respectfully,
Your Friend and Seryt.