Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-23
Meeting In Richmond.

The Democracy of Richmond held an uproar'
ious meeting on Wednesday night last to appoint
delegates to the Petersburg Convention. Mr.
PHI. Aylett, a psrtizan of Mr.. Letcber, was
called to the chair, which gave dissatisfaction to
the other side, but finally the appointment was
ratified by vote of l57 to 3. Various PROPOSE
tons were made in reference to the appointment
of delegates, and during these proceedings Mr.
B. r. Wexford brought down the house by al
impassioned allusion to the 'lesder Of the EN-
battled cohorts Of the Tenth Legion" This
speech induced Mr.. o. J. Wise to take the floor
and he made rigorous assault upon MIR. Letch
err, repeating all the objections which have beer
urged against him in the Enquirer-his advoca
cy of emancipation, his opposition to Gov. Wise,
and his sneers in the Reform Convention against
the ''negro-ology" and ''negro-ocracy" OF East
ern Virginia, which Mr. Wise said were so ma
lienant that 40 Eastern man had to be restrain
ed from personal violence towards him. Nj.
Pryor was called up TO reply, and spoke in his
usual gallau. lyle. Mr.. Charles Irving also
made statement to the effect that Mr.. Letcher
had advised him and other opponents Of Gov.
Wise at the Stanton Convention, to endorse the
nomination. Mr.. o. J. Wise rejoined, and, re-
ferring to Mr. Irying's statement, said that Mr..
Ietcher "must have been guilty OF Hypocrisy and
fslsshood, for it could be proved that in the
cars, on his way to Washington, he remarked
that he was still doubtful if he would support
the nomination" Mr. Wise stated, moreover,
that, two years before, MIR. Letcher had advoca-
ted the election of Gov. Wise to the United States
Senate, in opposition to Mr.. Hunter. A resolu-
ton was then adopted that the Chairman should
appoint 100 delegates to Petersburg. Next the
vote was taken on resolution declaring that
John Letcher was the first choice of the meeting
for Governor. The tellers did not agree in
counting the negative vote, but reported that
the meeting was about equally divided; after
which, motion to adjourn, to meet on Friday
night, was carried by reclamation.
The above is mere outline of the proceed
ings. Time and space would fail US to notice all
of the resolutions and speeches, and give de-
scrption of the excitement which, from the full
report in the Wing, prevailed in the meeting.
The meeting on Friday night was held pursu-
ant to adjournment. The list of delegates ap-
pointed by the Chairman was read and ap-
proved, Notwithstanding member objected that
some of them were frank poison to the party"
A motion to adjourn was lost, and Mr.. Pryor
then offered the following resolution as COM
promise;
'.Resolved, That John Letcher is every way
worthy of the confidence of the Virginia De-
mocracy and that in the event of his nomna
ton, we the Democrats OF Richmond, pledge
ourselves to support him without reserve or dis
affection"
Mr.. o. J. Wise opposed the resolution-he
would support Lstcher if nominated, but did not
consider him worthy" After further discus
sion by Messrs. Wexford, Pryor and Tyler, the
resolution was adopted. Mr.. Pryor moved three
cheers for "John Letcher, the next Governor OF
Virginia" which was carried. Mr.. Wise moved
three groans for Letcher, which were also given.
The meeting then adjourned.
The Enquirer closes its account OF the meet
ing as follows:
altogether Mr.. Letcher's vote of confidence,
passed by the very highest squeeze, compensated
him badly for the very decisive evidence of dis
gust at the idea of his nomination, exhibited by
a perfect host of tho unterri6ed Democracy of
Richmond