Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-28
r EGAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS nd
The Democratic Convention.

There are several interesting items in connec
ton with the recent Democratic State Conven-
ton which we omitted to mention last week tor
want of room. Time and space alike failed US
to publish all the transactions and incidents OF
that memorable meeting, and we cannot attempt
to do it now We long ago found out that the
wranglings of our Democratic friends at their
great gatherings, was no evidence that the party
was about to be dissolved; but however amusing
their contentious may be to outsiders, and even
to themselves, the scenes of disorder and threat
enine violence which characterize these Conven-
tions, must be lamented by sober-minded citi-
zens of all parties. 1t is bad omen for the
country when the members of the same party
cannot assemble and transact their business
without. degeneratiug into mob. In reference
to the late meeting the Richmond Enquirer says
ssNo Democratic Convention in Virginia was
ever before marked by such injustice or such
unbecoming disorder Intentionally excited and
sustained for the mere purpose OF preventing q
majority from proceeding to vote. But the
voice has gone forth in spite of the effort to
drown its expression"
The cause of strife was the rivalry between
Gov Wise and Senator Hunter, as competing
candidates for the Presidential nomination. The
friends of Gov. Wise constituted a majority of
the body, and succeeded in getting the organiza-
ton, but the Hunter minority by demanding
scaled votes on every question, and by other
parliamentary tactics, prevented direct EXPIRES
sion of preference. A resolution in favor OF
Gov. Wise was introduced by his friends, for
which Mr.. Hunters ftiends offered substitute
declaring it inexpedient to recommend any cam
didate. The vote was first taken on the substi-
tute, and the proceedings were protracted by
the Hunter party till Saturday night, when the
result was announced. The substitute was re-
jected, but it was then too late to take the vote
on the original proposition. Thus both parties
have some excuse for claiming the victory. The
Enquirer says: Henry A. Wise now stands be-
fore the Union as Virginia'S chosen candidate for
the Presidency ;" and the Examiner says: "The
question of personal preference was put aside
and abandoned by the Convention" We feel
kindly enough towards our Democratic friends
to rejoice that both are pleased with the result.
"Alls well that ends we'll" But how both can
be satisfied under the circumstances is the mystic
nv. The contest will now be transferred to the
District Conventions, by which delegates to
Charleston are to be appointed.
One part of the proceedings of the Conven-
ton is quite inexplicable. A resolution endor-
sing Gov Letchers course was introduced by e
member, and according to the reporter OF the
Richmond Dispatch, it was defeated by tre-
mendous mo- We cannot account for this sin
gular result. Perhaps the majority considered
the resolution trick of the minority to obtain
an endorsement of one of Mr.. Hunters friends,
and thus Indirectly of himself; or possibly, ow-
ing to the 'snoise and confusion" the matter was
not generally understood. We cannot tell.
At another stage of the proceedings, Mr.. Col
lier, Of Petersburg made a remark which crea-
ted buzz, and even called forth Kisses. He
said that he "would as soon VIM. II. Seward
should legislate on the subject of slavery in the
Territories as that H. a. Wise, r. M. I. Hunter
or Stephen A. Douglas should" Astonishing
to hear in Democratic Convention Wise and
Hunter and Seward coupled together in this
manner. But Mr.. c., although very intelli
gent and respectable gentleman, is sort OF po-
litical nondescript, and the Democracy will
probably disclaim any responsibility on his &C
count.