Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-12-10

: Convention, save only to vote against John
I.etcher. Sir. it was not because | did not
know that John Lctchcr was honest. true and
devoted To the Democratic party, but because
| was of the opinion that there was a breach
in the armor Of Mr.. Letcher, through which,
the poisoned arrows of the opposition might
sir, to join my voice, with what appears 10 be
the voice of the majority of this Convention,
and say
Now Is the winter of eur discomfort,
Made glorious summer,
And all the clouds ,ha, lowered DER our house.
In the deep bosom Of the ocean buried.
| defer to the Judgment of the majority, and
will fight for John L.ctchcr. and. il needs he.
will fall with him.
Col. Anthony also expressed a preference
for Mr.. W. VI. Amber, as the nominee for
Lieut.. Governor. Since that gentleman had
declined, Col. Anthony took pleasure in nomi-
mating Mr.. W. +. Gordon, of .Alhcnarlc.
Colonel Gordon declined entering the list as
nominee for the Lieutenant i'ovcrnor>hip. and
his name was withdrawn.
Mr.. Taliafcrro, of Mathews. rose to make
some remarks opposed TO the resolution,
making the election OF Mr.. Letchcr unanimous
by that Convention, which had been previously
passed by = large majority.
Mr.. Wise. Of Rirhmond-I rise for n per
Sonal explanation. | was not present in Con
vention ut the time the motion was offered to
make the nomination Of Mr.. Lctchcr unani-
NOUS. 1t il. | believe, well known to some
here present that, during the last few months.
| have labored day and night To prevent the
nomination of John L.ctchcr as the Democratic
candidate Tor Governor of Virginia. have
toiled for this object harder, perhaps, than has
any other man in Virginia nor Ito | now re-
pcnt the time and effort which | have cx-
pended for that purpose. But at this time,
gentlemen, Mr.. Letcher stands before us no
longer simply rs John Lctcher. He is now
the chosen candidate Of a Democratic Conven-
ton. ] confess to you that you have dictated
to me a most disagreeable duty. Neverthc'
less, | am prepared to perform it-aS ! have
from the first promised TO perform it-for the
sake of the principles Of the Democratic party
and tho unity Of its organization. and for the
sake Of the glorious Union of States, Of which
the Democratic party constitutes the only
remaining and reliable safeguard. announce
TO YOU, then. that AIN prepared 10 give the
nominee Of the party an ~cticctual and hearty
support. And feel authorised to state for my
associates, us well As for myself, that We will
bring to the earnest advocacy of John Letcher
election the head work and hand work Of at
least fifty men, besides the appliance of forty
horse power OF steam, with all the types and
presses thereto appertaining. Loud and enthu-
siaStic cheers from all parts of the house.
Mr.. \. ID. Dickinson. Of Prince Edward. COM
mendcd the gallant declaration Of the Rich
mond ENQUIRER for the maintenance Of the
/ leul,lll ,.:. c H.. HAN. ,ra 49, a o. a. anI
invoked 4 long continuation Of strength, harmo.
ny and progress in their ranks. lie now being
up, felt a pleasing duty imposed oil him, by his
South-Sidc friends, which was TO nominate i"i
the office Of Lieutenant Governor, u man every
way worthy Of so high an office. namely. VIM.
Old, Jr., of Powiatan.
Mr.. Jordan, of Bedford. proposed Gen. Jas.
l.. kemper, of Madison.
Mr.. j. W. E. Catlett, Of Gloucester. was graft
fled at seeing the numbers Of worthy men he
ing nominated, and would then propose another
from the Virginia Underwater, one worthy in eve
nv sense Of that platform. He nominated r. |"
Montague. of MiddlcSex. Cheers
Mr.. Collier. Of Petersburg. proposed 4 man
well known and admired in Eirginia-U. NJ.
Crntchficld, Of ~Spotsylyania.
Mr.. Wise. Of Richmond.-Among the names
already presented to the Convention for the
nomination as Lieutenant Governor. any dele
gate present NAV find some difficulty in ma
king a selection. Mr.. Dejarnett. Of Caroline,
bv the high testimonials which have here been
produced in his favor, and especially by the
gallant manner in which he has adhered To Z
minority OH this floor, has given good evidence
Of qualities which fit him for so high a posi-
ton. The name, too. of Robert l.. Montague
Of MiddleSex, is before us--a soldier who has
never ilinchcd-a man whose consistency ant
efficiency in the Democratic ranks are deserved
" atteSted hv the fact that he is brought for
ward in the name Of Tidewatcr Virginia. VI,
true and tried friend, DR.. Clement X. Harris
Of Culpcpcr, and Gen. James l.. kcmper. o
Madison, a gallant gentleman to whom all
also bound in personal friendship, rcpresen,
the long-ncglectcd claims of the Piedmont sec
ton. Among these gentlemen | have son'
difficulty of choice. 1t is truly all Smbarr"'
de richtssts.
But there is one man, who can not only IN
vite comparison with any worthy man ye
named, but who comes forward with
claim upon the party sufficient to over-rld
even the policy Of a sectional distribution
Of candidates. mean the mar who now fill
so worthily the office of Lieutenant Governor
nm no advocate OF the doctrine Of incumhci'
", nor vet of the doctrine Of rotation. Th
only Democratic rule, as conceive, whicl
ought TO regulate the choice Of candidates, i
that which selects the worthicst from alnon'
the .ins' and the outs without regard cithe
to rotation or to incumbency. Extraordinar,
achievement constitutes the first great claim OF
the consideration of the party. noininat
then, the man who. within the last few months
has thrice earned the civic crOwn--thc mai
who. within the last twelve months, has bce1
appointed to the office Of Lieutenant Governor
by the Chief Executive Of the State, unani
mously reelected 10y the General Assembly
and yet again elected, without opposition, I
the same office by the people of Virginia.
nominate William l.. jackson, Of Wood county
Mr.. b. W. jackson, OF Wood, stated that 1T
was authorized by his brother Nominated b,
Mr.. Wisc) to decline this honor, as he was d
opinion that if the Governor he chosen from
the West, the Lieutenant Governor should com
from the East. Mr.. Jackson was accordingl.
withdrawn.
Mr.. Campbell, of Nottoway, Mr.. f%lourno.
and others. seconded and supported the noml
nation of Mr.. Old. Gen. Banks. of Madison
spoke in favor of Gen. Kcmper. Mr.. Barbour
Of Culpcpcr, Mr.. Snecd, of .Albcmarle; nm
Col. Butts, Of Petersburg, sustained the merit
and claims of DR.. Harris.
Gen. Taliaferro, Of Gloucester, Mr.. Lamf
Of Norfolk. Mr.. Turner, Of Rappahannock, Nj
". Hall, of Wetzcl, and Mr.. X. \. Clayhrook
of Northumberland, upheld Mr.. Montague, i
complimentary addresses. Mr.. Tyler, of Alex
andria. and Mr.. Newton, Of Hanover, suggest
ed remarks in favor OF selecting all 'E'asterl
man." by advice of friends, Gen. Krmpcr w'
withdrawn.
Mr.. Loving. OF Nelson, moved tn take tn
vote of the Convention for Lieutenant Govern
or. Ii was carried. and the voting in the ordc
already laid down. by counties, was proceeds
with, the candidates for the nomination helni
Deiarnette. r. l.. Montague, DR.. Harris. W
Old, D. NJ. Crutchfield.