Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-08-21

the spolls Of office, compared with the defeat
! Of Lincoln, and the ruthless horde he leads
against US? Who would hot prefer that any
honest patriot should wear our petty diadem,
rather than see his country spoiled and piaged
by men regardless both Of law and Consttu-
ton? Will the South continue thus. Will
she permit politicians and place-hunterS !Dnger
to con(ound and distrac; her, while, like the
harlot Of old, they rob her Of her strength
Or will she, with one will, one voice, one arm,
rise to repel the invaders? God, in his mercy,
grant that it may be so!
With great respect
Your obedient servant,
JAMES LYONS.
Hon. PRESIDENT of the Democratic Convention
at Charlottesville.
Mr.. Fisher, of Northampton, then addressed
the Convention in forcble terms OF objection
against the Pacific Railroad Resolution, adopt
! ed by the late National Democratic Conrcn-
| ton.
Ex-Governor Smith, objected that there was
no motion before tho House,
Mr.. Fisher, then offered the following rcSo-
| luton:
Resolved That We earnestly and cordially
approve and endorse the platform Of principles
lately adopted by the National Democratic
| Convention, at Institute Hail. in the city OF
Baltimore, with the following exception, to
wit:
"Whereas, A great cardinal principle OF the
| Democratic Republican party has ever inculca-
ted the uncompromising denul Of any constitu-
tional power of the General Government to
construct works Of internal improvements and,
whereas in defiance Of the well settled princl-
pies and policy Of the party, the National Con-
venton OF the party has adopted the following
preamble and resolution:
"Whcrcas, One of the greatest necessities OF
''the age, in u POLITICAL commercial, postal and
military point Of view, is speedy communi-
scation between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts,
therefore, be it
"Resolved, That the National Democratic
'party do hereby pledge themselves to use ev-
'ery means in their power to secure the pas
sage of some bill to the extent Of their con.
"sttutitiona authority, by Congress, for the
"construction of Pacific Rail Road from the
mississippi river to Pacific ocean, at the car
'riest practical moment"
Therefore, be it
Resolved by the Virginia Democracy in Con-
vcntion assembled, That we do steadtastly re.
fuse to endorse the preamble and resolution last
| aforesaid.
Mr.. Fisher then proceeded 10 addressthc Con-
vention in very impressive manner, and con-
cluded by appealing to the Convention to act de-
iberately in Il matter of such great Importance,
recommending that the resolution should lay
on the table until sufficient time had elapsed
for considerate and deliberate dcnunciation OF
an anti-Democratic doctrine.
The resolution was then laid Oh the table,
Ex-Gov. Smith suggesting that it ought to be
referred to 4 General Committee on ReSolu-
| tions
On motion of Mr. Brown, Of kanawha, the
Chair was instructed to appoint Committee
on Resolutions to be composed o! one member
from each Electoral District.
After some debate, the following resolution,
offered by Mr. Mason, of King George, WIS
next adopted:
"Resolvel, That all resolutions offered for
the adoption Of this Convention shall be first
referred to the Committee on Resolutions,
without debate. ;"
On being Intercepted, the Chair decided
| that Mr. Fishers resolution having been laid
on the table, could not properly he brought
before the Committee on Resolutions, until
called before the Convention
Mr.. Fisher then moved to cnll up the res"u
| lion lot Tue pulppSc vi teie'i'nS u =" wv ~"'"
mittee on Resolutions.
The vote being taken, the motinn TO call up
was rejected.
Mr.. Fisher then declared: "Al that have
! to say is, that under such circumstances, THIS
| Convention ought to support Douglas
Ex-Ciov. Smith then offered the following re-
solution
"Rcsoyed, That Il Committee of five he ar-
pointed by the Chair to communicate with
the Staunton Convention, with view to
settlement Of the divisions in the Democratic
party of Virginia.
a motion was next offered 10 suspend the
rule adopted under the resolution OF Mr. Ma
son of King George, in order that Gov. Smiths
resolution might at once be debated ana actcd
] on.
A long and warm debate ensued. Governor
Smith spoke with great rlVacity, repeatedly III
terrupted by loud applause.
Mr.. Harvc of Amelia, stringently opposed
Gov. Smiths resolution.
Col. Wiley Of Amelia, also opposed it.
Messrs. Leake, Nat Tyler and o. J. Wise
sustained the motion in brief speeches.
Mr. Massie of Rockbridge, approved the spi
rit Of the resolution, but objected to its FORM
The molten TO suspend Was then adopted by
large majority.
After which, the debate was renewed OIL
| Gov. Smiths resolution.
Hon. James NJ Mason briefly expressed
desire to employ every safe means OF conclla.
ton consistent with adherence to principle, but
feared that much evil would probably result
from the present attempt to DO good. on this
ground he opposed the resolution.
Gov. Smith rejoined in very eloquent APP
peal for reconciliation.
4 running debate continued for some time.
Several substitutes and amendments were OIL
fcred and defeated.
Finally, Gov. Smiths motion was adopted in
the midst of much applause-only about lteen
members voting in the negative.
The Convention then adjourned to meet the
next morning at 10 o'clock.
After the adjournment Of thr Convention, an
enthusiastic mass meeting WINS addressed by
John Goode, Jr., Roger A. Pryor and II. R. II.
Garnctt.
TNorE.-The committees will be announced
on the assembling of the Convention. 1t has
transpred that the following delegates will
COMPOSE the committee Of conference under
Gov. Smiths resolution: Hon. VIM. Smith,
James Alfred Jones, Samuel Carpenter, Benj
Bassell j. W. Massie.
--<--aD-o--
THE DOUGLAS STATES RIGHTS CON.
VENTION.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Enquirer
STArSToS, Va, Aug. 10th, 1850.
The Douglas wing Of the Democracy OF Yir-
gina, assembled to-day, in Convention, in this
town, at l2, NJ About three hundred dele
gates" are in attendance, representing all the
Senatorial Districts of Virginia, Much har-
mony and enthusiasm prevails in the Conven-
tion
COL Samuel Coates called the Convention 10
order.
On whose motion. Col. Geo. Baylor of Staun-
ton, was chosen temporary Chairman.
COL Baylor returned thanks for the honor
conferred, and stated the objects Of the Con-
yention. On taking the Chair, as President
i ~