Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-07
Proceedings of the Petersburg Convention

made that the Hon. John S. Caskie be called to
the chair. The question was taken and decided
in the negative, and on motion of Mr.. Seddon, OF
Stafford, Col. Butts, of Petersburg, was elected
Chairman. All the Democratic editors present
were requested to act as Secretaries. On motion
of Col. Hubbard, of Buckingham, it was then re-
solved that the Chair appoint a committee
consisting of one delegate from each Congress
sional district, to report on the permanent or
ganization of the meeting. The meeting took q
recess of half an hour to allow the CHAIR time to
appoint the Committee. Nothing more was
done at the morning session. During nearly the
whole time the utmost disorder prevailed, and
the Chairman was moved to say that he was in
the habit of presiding at Democratic meetings,
but not over "mobocrats."
The meeting assembled again at half past 8
o'clock, and the Committee on organization re-
ported. They nominated VIM. NJ. Amber, of
Lousia, for President, thirteen gentlemen as
Vice Presidents, (among them VIM. II. Hartman,
of Augusta,) and all the Democratic editors pres
ent as Secretaries. They also reported several
resolutions, viz: that the rnles of the House of
Delegates be adopted; that questions be decided
by oipa o0ce vote, but any member representing
10000 votes might call for scale vote; and
that wherever scale vote shall be called, the
vote shall be given by counties, and each dele
gate cast his proportion.
On the adoption of this report, says the Pc
tersburgh Intelligencer, discussion arose, the
elimination of which baffled ''pen, pencil and
tongue" alike to describe, and which, perhaps,
for its utter disregard of everything like dignity
and decorum, was never equaled in any deliber-
alive body South of Mason and Dxon's line
Yes, groans, Kisses, cries of "down in 'front.'
'put him out" "order," by those who were the
very incarnation of disorder, every conceivable
sound, expression and attitude, some squarring
of, as if about to "pitch in" Others wildly
throwing their arms about, as if in frenzy, 9TH
ers standing on chairs and benches, yelling "Mr.
President" at the very top of their voices The
President pro tenn. declared that he was thor
oughly disguised, and if order was not kept, he
would vacate the chair and go home.
Mr.. Amber took the chair and returned thanks
for the honor conferred upon him.
| Without voting on the resolutions, the Con
venton adjourned till o'clock.
| At the night session the debate on the resolu'
tons was continued, and an alteration occur
red between Mr.. Seldom, of Stafford, and Mr.
Jackson, OF Wood, both members OF the COM
mttee. The second resolution was amended sc
as to allow % members to call for a scale vote.
The President took the chair on Friday morn
ing at o'clock.
Mr.. Roger, of Barbour, offered resolution
that "the members of this Convention pledge
themselves to support the nominee of this Con
yenton." A spirited discussion ensued, involv
ing the subject of ''dstrust," and the resolution
was finally withdrawn.
The motion was then made and carried thai
the nominations be proceeded with, when james
Barbour, of Culpeper, arose and nominated fol
Governor, John Letcher, of Rockbridge, which
was greeted with overwhelming applause. Mr.
B. spoke in eulogy of Mr.. Letcher and the Tenth
Legion.
Mr.. Cooke, of Wythe, took exceptions tc
the praise bestowed on the Tenth Legion, ano
protested against the nomination of John Letch
er, who, he said, twas not worthy of consta
ble's district in the Aleghanies."
Mr.. Flournoy, of Prince Edward, advocated
the nomination of Letcher, and alluded to the
inconsistencies of Henry A. Wise. Mr.. o. j
Wise replied, defending the political career o.
his father.
Col. Harrison, of Monroe, vehemently protest
ed against the nomination of Letcher.
Timothy Rives, Esq, of Prince George, was
then loudly called for The "war horse" mount
ed the rostrum by request and opened his bate
ries against Letcher. lie drew q comparison
between the records of Letcher and Summers
The reporter of the Petersburg Express says, 'i
ever man was rowed up Salt River on the
strength of record John Letcher, of Rock
bridge, certainly was-his record was absolute
" ripped into flinders. After speaking for two
hours, lie at length gave way to motion to ad.
journ. "
In the afternoon Mr.. Rives continued his
philippe against Letcher, and closed in an hour
Mr.. Pryor replied, and after speaking two
hours retired from exhaustion, when the Con
vention adjourned until half past O'Clock.
At the night session, after some other proceed.
| ings, Mr.. Tredwsy, of Pittsylvania, deploring
the violent contest for and against Letcher, pro-
posed that some other candidate be taken up
Mr.. Motif, of Rockingham, and Gen. Cabell, OF
Pittsylvania, objected. Mr.. Newman, of Ks-
nawha, spoke against the nomination Of Letcher,
Mr.. o. j. Wise then entered his protest against
the nomination of John Letcher, preceding it
with vindication of his father from the COM
parsons which had been drawn between the
records of the two.
After considerable discussion, which was pro-
tracted until 10 minutes to II o'clock, and in
which Messrs. Hartman, of Staunton, Robert
Tyler, of Brooke, Gimer, of Albemarle, and
others participated, the question was loudly
called for, and the Chair stated, it there were no
other nominations, the Convention would pro-
coed to vote.
Mr.. Harrison, of Monroe, in q very earnest
aud neat speech, nominated Henry A. Edmund
son, of Roanoke.
| Mr.. B. W. Jackson, of Wood, put in nomina-
ton John W. Brockenbrough, of Rockbridge.
| Mr. r. +. Dennis, nominated Hon. William
Smith, of Greenbrer.
| Mr.. Tyler nominated Hon. John Randolph
Tucker, of Frederick.
Mr.. Thomas Dunn, of Washington, nominated
Hon. George w. Hopkins, of Washington.
Mr.. Barbour, as previously stated, had nomi-
mated Hon. John Letcber, of Rockbrdge.
1t was now l o'clock, and the Secretary pro-
ceeded to call the roll.
The balloting lasted till nearly o'clock, Sat-
urday morning, when the Convention took
recess.
At II o'clock the Convention assembled again
and the Secretaries reported the vote as follows {:
Hon John Letcher .51 ,526
Hon. Henry A. EdmundsOn. ................l0,98 8
Judge John w. Brockenbrough. IL ,440
Hon. Geo. w: Hopkins. .................... O'5o6
J. Randolph Tucker. ...4, 220
Hon. VIM. Smith. ........................' $40
Iotai. ............'.. .'.'......' ''.' oo,oo@
The majority c. John Letcher over all COM
pettors is 1850. The President then declared
JOHN LEToHER, the Democratic candidate for
Governor.
JOHN RANDOLPH TUCKER was chosen the can
ddate for Attorney General, by acclanation.-
His nomination for Governor was made with
out his consent.
The Convention then went into the election
of Lietenant Governor. Mr.. Berry, of Alexan-