Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-19
That Convention. !.

Contrary to Interpretation Of friend and
foe, there was Convention in Richmond.
on the 1Oth, "a huge convention. "a unan-
imous convention, in a word, dangerous
convention. Eleven hundred out of the
twelve hundred and seventy-four old line
Wings of the State were there, and several
democrats beside. We had urged it upon
members of both parties to 60 and not let
the thing be failure. But spite Of all our
entreaties, Augusta had but few represen-
tatives, only seven Wings (?C and FIVE dem
ocrats. This mortified us exceedingly, but
we accounted for it from the fact that the
good old farmers from Augusta had no to-
bacco to sell. and therefore didn't think the
trip would pay. Notwithstanding the fact,
however, that the wheel-horse was wanting,
the deficiency was supplied by an increase
from Richmond, 80 that the thing was not
failure.
The proceedings have been 50 generally
published, that we presume they have met
the eyes Of all parties, and therefore, we
will not repeat them. We were in attend
ance several times. and were assured by
gentlemen, that there was not an Am,eri-
can present; all belonged to the list Ct the
immortal immaculates we will not dis
pute this, but the perfect obedience to the
gavel Of the president smacked very much
Of culvert proceedings, from whence. like
little Johnnie's drum, 'sno sounds ever pro-
ceeded." At the word of command all were
mute and motionless, like men whose safe
ty-whose all depended on their obedience
to their commander. Sam, we were told,
however, had no voice in the affair."
neglected Sam, who but few short years
since, stalked so vauntingly in Virginia and
gave shelter, consolation and comfort to
SO many Wings, was not allowed even a
seat in this august body. Alas Z! GLOW
have the mighty fallen" The fckleness Of
friendship is strange, passing strange
Wings, old line Wings, CD will you not re-
lent and acknowledge your former friend !;
by all the sacred and holy ties Of friend
ship, relent, before in his anger, Sam turns
and Votes against you.
The Convention agreed without difficulty
who should be their standard-bcarer, for
there were none who desired it SO much as
even to ask friend to speak his merits
On the contrary, all seemed to fear that the
fearful task would devolve upon him. They
stood mute and motionless, like lambs LED
to the slaughter. all dreading, but none
knowing on whom the axe would fall many
of the faithful absented themselves for fear
of the blow. For example, our county
man, the Hon. A. H. Fl. Stuart we
were mistaken, he was not admitted, be-
cause perchance, the scent of the culvert
was not yet entirely gone, and for fear of
its contamination, they would not admit him
except by proxy, through the mail. His
Samite principles were however, received
as orthodox, and no charge was preferred
against him.
Of the nominees, Measrs. Goggin, Will
ley and Preston, We have nothing to say,
being like the most Of our friends Of all par
ties, entirely ignorant Of anything they have
ever done for veal or woe. OfMr. Cog
gin we will say that he must have learned
and determined to practice that old rule laid
down in McGuhey's Eclectic Reader, and
versifed somehow in this way:
"'Tis lesson you should heed,
Try, try again.
II at first you don't succeed.
Try, try again, DO.
For not content with three drubbings
from the Hon. Paulus Powell, he is going
to subject himself to fourth from Honest
John. Of Mr.. Wiley, we never heard be-
fore. Preston is known only as one Of
Sans standard-b bearers in '55, when he was
demolished by Gov. Floyd. In conclusion
we wish "a merry time to ye, knights Of
darkness"
RhA NJ. nnv