Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-25
The Kentucky Opposition Conven-
ton.
From the Louisville Journal Of Wednesday.


The convention of the Opposition of Ken
lucky met yesterday pursuant to appoint
ment, and, after magnificent day 's-work
adjourned to 9 o'clock this morning. The
very late huor at which we write of course
prccludes ANYTHING further than the briefest
allusion to it's action, yet we must at all
hazards dwell for an instant on a single
feature of the proceedings which will be
found in rounded fullness elsewhere in our
paper to day.
The conventions nomination of Joshua F.
Bell for the Office of Governor is all things
considered unquestiOnably the highest and
NOSE significant compliment ever paid to
citizen in Kentucky, not excepting the idoliz-
cd and immortal Clay.
The convention, in the first place. was
immense in numbers. and complete in rep
resentation, consisting of not less than two
thousand delegates, in fair proportion from
every section of the State 1t was perfect
and grand embodiment of the idea of a con-
vention.
In the second place the convention was
uncqualcd in point of character and of intel
lect. In this respect we confess il surpassed
any popular body of equal size that we ever
beheld. 1t was superlative. No other State
in the Union. no other part of the world. not
Kentucky herself could possibly exceed it.
1t was strictly convention of statesmen. A
capable observer could easily have selected
from the asscmblage n council of three hun
dred or of six hundred men fit in all respects
to govern an empire. In ability and in dig
nifty the convention was not only an hon
or to Kentucky but an ornament to the re-
public.
In the third place. everybody knows that
Mr.. Bell. so far from seeking the nomination,
rtceded from it sincerely and by might and
main. Indeed, so earnest, fir, qucnt. and en-
phatc had Mr.. BIS disclaimers been that the
representative Oh one delegation asked and
for moment insisted on some assurance that
he would accept the homer if the convention
thrust it upon him.
The convention itself however promptly
supplied this assurance; for. finally, after that
sort of exciting murmur which indicates the
summOning of cherished and unconqnerable
resolve, the nomination was conferred upon
him by reclamation. and the joyous, triumph
ant acclaim surmoHnted bv cheers upon
cheers, the whole vast and distinguished as
Sembly joining vehemently in the deafening
applause.
1t a glorious and exulting moment for
the convention and a proud one for Joshua
f. Bell. Rarely in the walks of civil life
does such moment come to the most FORUM
ate of the gifted and the great. 1t was a
proud moment for him, but. proud as it was.
still pronder one awaits him next August.
when he will plant the radiant standard which
the conservatives of Kentucky now place in
his hand in triumph on the capitol of the
State which his eloquence will have redeemed
and Disseminated
Ofthe remaining names on The ticket adopt
ed by the convention, we have at present
time and space to say only word. The entire
ticket is a strong and splendid one. There
is nothing weak or dim about it,
A fired lien of Rreck inriHon tho nominpn
for the Lieutenant-Gov is one of
most whole-Souled and high-soulcd meh in the
world, happy and effective speaker. and
pcfcctly resistless electioneerer. He is irwin
chile on the stump and Off of it. No demo
crat who comes in contact with Alfred Allen
need steel his heart; Allen will steal it for
him.
James Harlan is n lawyer of national re-
pute and statesman without stain or bem-
ISL The Union does not hold sounder or a
truer man. Like the unimpcachcd and I'M
impeachable nominee for the Authorship and
for the Presidency of the Board of Internal
improvements, be is the present incumbent of
the Office for which the convention has des-
ignated bin. and, together with his brother
incumbents, richly deserves and will certain
ly receive the honor Of n reelection.
John b. Herndon. of Mason, well-known
throughout large section of the State, and
VII " NiHhi1 ii tue itsh VI IL
before the present canvass ends. He can't he
well-known without being triumphant He is
one OF that peculiar sort of candidates whom
TO know is 10 vote for and elect.
William +. Evans, of Barren, the candidate
for the Office of Superintendent of Public In-
struction. is cultivated and enlightened
man. an early consistent. and unwavering
friend of our Common School System. aud a
most energetic and approved administrator Of
public trusts. He Is distinguished especially
for fidelity and purity of character, qualities
rare in aspirants for Office as they are pre-
ciOus wherever found.
Dougherty Il. White, of Clay, the nominee
for the Office Of Treasurer. is able, honest and
intelligent. His integrity is altogether spot
less.
The ticket, as a glance will suffice to show,
is powerful in itself II is not less powerful
in the entire and cordial harmony with which
it was presented and adopted. Every nom-
nation was unanimous on the first ballot.
The convention eclipsed all other conven-
tons ever held in Kentucky almost rs greatly
in the fine dsinterested enthusiastic spirit of
unity which perv aded il "a in its size, talents
and responsibility. But we cannot extend
these running comments further.
The Address and Platform put forth by the
convention will he found in another part Of
his mornings Journal. They are both inn
regnable and were adopted with the thrilling
nanimily which marked the entire proceed
lgs of the convention.