Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-11-18
our Approaching Convention.

Tho proceedings of Opposition meetings in the various
counties held for the purpose of appointing deegateo
our approaching l4th of December Convention, have
been pouring in upon u.s. with gratifying rapidy, dur
ing the past few DAYS We take il for granted that all
the counties will in this matter in the Of the
present month. The day for the Convention Is only
three and half weeks distant and in not single
w. should friends omit discharge the duty incum
bent upon them. From present indications, enter
tain doubt whatever in regard to the large size and
imposing character Of the Convention We think il is
evident that overwhelming majority of the
ties viii be fully and ably represented and that
the deliberations of the body may be characterised by
moderation, wisdom farsighedness and elevated and
disinterested patriotism.
The forthcoming Convention. indeed, will be most
Important one, in all respects have endeavorcd
in frequent previous articles TO impress clearly and
patcay upon the minds of friends throughout the
State II will be the first large political gathering whose
action will look directly and almost exclusively TO pre-
parations for the next Presidential contest and upon
g. therefore, will devove the highest duties aud
responsibilities II will assemble too at a time when
the public mind Is laboring under unusual excitement
produced by recent unprccedent and startling in
our midst. Hence the Importance Of its delbcra
lions being participated in by many of the abest and
cames and purest men in our ranks as possible; aud
will make it point TO attend. We desire, also to see
many Of the rank and file of the party present as
nay find it convenient come. We want in short the
voice Of the be heard the grave questions
which vii necessarily claim considerable share Of The
attention Of the Convention
In regard expression OF preference by the Con
yenton touching the Presidential nomination. our opn-
ion remains unchanged. That very few persons sill
persist in elamorng for such expression OF preference
may be matter Of regret us hut of surprise
il have the effect of altering our deliberate con-
vicon Of the mpolcy and absurdy Of the course rec
commended by them. In proposition in which we sim
cerely believe there is much of HARM and not particle
of good there be hesitation far con
cerned We place the interests and of the party
with which in and hearty corporation.
above and beyond all personal partiaes considera-
tons. There numbers Of good men and true all
the country, North and South East and West whom
should support for the Presidency with all cordially
and zeal But there is not one whom We would commit
ourselves to- at the present time and for the auci,nt
reason that we utterly unable determine who
the best and strongest put forward as our cand
date under the peculiar and extraordinary circumstances
that surround us. Some tell us that this is the best
others that that one Is; and Others still point with
equal confidence to third and fourth and fifth and
so on And yet all of them far as we have been en-
aoed 10 observe infer the Giionai popularity Of their
particular fayore, from expressions of preference in lis
behalf on the part of few public meetings or few Jour
nails And yet, too, there has been no declaration If
preference for anybody except in few neighborhoods
In few States The people themselves being in doul
as to who the best and strongest the present
fused condition Of RH9S seARsa SO sf from s sS
preston OF preference, whatever We are in prccil
the same doubt ourselves and hence the policy we have
considered it our duty recommend and advocate with
view to the preservation Of harmony in our ranks and
TO the triumphant of our cause in the coming
Presidential election.
But we entertain apprehensions that the Conyep.
ton Of the l4th Of December will be guilty Of the extra
ordinary folly of expressing preference for any par
tieular candidate for the Presidential nomination.
large number sof counties have already held meetings
and appointed delegates and vet not more than half
dozen OF them have indulged any expression Of pref
erence whatever, whilea much larger have op
ted resolutions declaring inexpedcnt for the Opposition
in Virginia to take ground, as yet in behalf of apv mar
ticular man. still larger number we believe have made
no reference to the subject at ALL while circumstances
think point to the conclusion that with possibly dozen
exceptions, every county in the State wilt found on
posed to any expression Of preference.
At all events, we would again invoke those committee
yet to act in the matter Of appointing delegates to alb
stain from any expression of preference. On Monday
next an opportunity will he afforded large number Of
counties Tor holding meetings and that all may
do 80, whose regular monthly Courts come Off on That
day Is exceedingly important in our judgment that
not single county, If possible should be unrepresenteI
ana mat all should be represented by large and able deo.
cations.