Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-08-21
Douglas Convention at staunton.

Douglas wing of the Democratic party of Viz
ginia, assembled to-day, in the Armory, Q
capacious building near the American Hotel
The room was crowded with delegates and
spectators.
At y o'clock the Convention was called to
order by Samuel Oootes, Esq, on whose motion
Col. Geo. Baylor, of Staunton, was appointed
temporary Chairman.
Col. Baylor on taking the Chair expressed his
appreciation of the honor conferred upon him
in being called upon to preside, temporarily, over
meeting of the Democracy of Virginia who
approve of and endorse the nomination of the
National Democratic Convention, at Baltimore,
viz: Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. John
son. [Applause.] The object of this Conven-
ton is, he said, to take into consideration the
present condition of the Democratic party, and
be hoped it would be guided by moderation and
deliberation, with an eye single to the best in-
terests of the Democratic party, not only in this
State, but in all the States, and with purpose
to promote the best interests of the party, and
the preservation of the Union. [Applause.]
On motion of Dr. Moffett, of Rockingham,
Mr.. Harvey hartmann, of the Rockingham Beg
lister, Sam1 Yost, of the Stanton Vindicator,
Mr.. Gillock, of the Lexington Star, DR.. Hopkins,
of the Fsncasts Democrat, and Mr.. Geo. NJ.
Cochran, Of Staunton, were appointed Secreta-
ries.a "a
Mr. Brent, of Alexandria, moved that COM
mittee of fifteen be appointed to report the names
of the permanent officers of that Convention
The motion was agreed to, and the Chair ap
pointed Geo. W. Brent, Alexandria; Alfred N.
Barbour, Jefferson; F. Smyth, Marion; B. May
ers, Halifax; Freeman, Sussex; j. b. Dorman,
Rockbridge; J. g. Moss, Richmond; L. d. Hop
klns, Botetourt; J. D. Wilson, Isle of Wight +;
| @. I. Stuart, Doddridge; G.. 81. Rowe, Spottsyl-
vania; Thos. L. Yancey, Rockingham; Absalom
Koiner and Thos. Wallace, Petersburg.
| On motion of Mr.. Barbour, it was resolved
that when the Convention adjourn, it will ad-
journ until 4o'clock, P. NJ
Mr.. R. R. Collier, of Petersburg, arose and said
that he considered this body to be Convention
of the people, as contradistinguished from Con-
vention OF the politicians and office-holders OF
the country. Loud applause.] He had mixed
in little with the people since the failure OF the
Charleston Convention to make q nomination,
and thought that be had found q want of infor-
nation as to the record OF one of the candidates
whose name has been presented for the sutfrages
of the people, and though the motion he was a.
| bout to make was unusual, he believed that he
was justified by the circumstances IN moving
that Committee of fifteen be appointed to pre-
pare an address to the Democracy of the State
lin which an expression of the condition of the
party might be presented-the Committee tG
report at an early hour in the afternoon.
Col. John A. Herman and others suggested
/ that this motion should be submitted at the az
ternoon session, and it was accordingly with
drawn.
i On motion, the Convention then adjourned, OF
:, rather resolved itself into mass meeting, and
called upon Mr.. r. Wallace, of Petersburg, for {
speech. 80
Mr. Wallace responded by saying that it was
with profound satisfaction he arose to address 9
meeting of the people who had raised their arm
against the band of politicians who were striving
to crush one man. and that man one who hac
always stood up for Southern rights. He cordi
ally united with them in their ascription o.
praise to that true hearted and lion-hearted pa
triot and statesman, Stephen A. Douglas. [Ap
plause.] This day, said Mr.. Wallace, has inau
gurateQ an era in tile history of the Democratic
party of Virginia. Although your two Senators
are arrayed against you, two OF the Journals o.
the Metropolis have taken similar position, anc
twenty five of the delegates of the National Con
yention have deserted the Democratic party-s
party which has ever been the bnlwark OF oul
national lberties-you are here to-day toinau
!, gurate an era which will prove that the Demo
cratic party North or South, whatever the poll
ticians of either section may say or do, Is still
united in common purpose to preserve the lib.
critics of the country. [Applause] Mr.. W. clos.
ed with the remark that, although the Breckin-
ridge party is now in the ascendency, it will be
seen before November that the cloud which il
/ now no larger than mans hand will increase
until 1t spans the whole heavens, and the laDd
will be fertilized and the Douglas Democracy tri
umphant.
i Mr.. Collier, of Petersburg, was next called
upon and responded. After abiding to the cri
sis in public affairs, he declared that If the peo
pie would now fail to support the illustrlous
statesman of Illinois, who can alone save the
country from the dangers that threaten it, il
might be said of them that they gave forth 9
sign which denoted that whom God would de
4 stroy he first makes mad. Applause. Ii they
turn their back now upon Stephen A. Douglas
i who has done more for the South than the people
of the South, if they tail to support him with
zeal and enthusiasm we may look TOR the approach
of that time when this country shall no longer be
blessed with the enjoyment OF human liberty
i [Applause.l
! Messrs. Hoge, of Montgomery, and Brent, o.
| Alexandria, were then called upon to speak, 0u1
excused themselves from addressing the Con
vention at this time. The meeting then dis
persed.
1 EVENING SESSION.
/ A large accession of delegates by the 2 O'CLOCK
eastern train made their appearance.
6. W. Brent, chairman OF the COMMITTEE on
Al
organization, reported the following as the per-
manent officers of the Convention:
I Presidential. L. Hopkins, of Petersburg. !.
Vice Presidents-J. H. Cox, Chesterfield S.
Woodrow, Wheeling; DR.. J. W. Stalnaker,
Greenbrer Benz. Crawford, Augusta DR.. j.
H. Daniel, Stafford W. H. B. GUSTS, Accomac
J. Hagan, Monongahela; Jno. Wharton, Gull
pepper; Samuel Cootes, Rockingham; Thornton
Triplet, Alexandria, E. Treiny, Jefferson; DR..
J. Med. Taylor, Rockbridge; Geo. b. freeman,
Sussex; D. 81. Hoge, Montgomery; }. l.. Will
son, Isle of Wight; DR.. G. W. Rust Page; ).
B. Stovall, Halifax; G. J. Stewart, Doddrldge;
| W. billiard, Surry; Col. N. Chancellor, Lou
doun; J. G. Moss, Richmond.
| Secretaries.-B. M. De Witt, John Il. Wart-
man, Chas Irving, S. 7. Walker, S. M. Yost, b.
Gillock, G. NJ. Cochran, jr., and W. A. Burke.
| The rules of the House OF Delegates were a.
dopted as far as applicable.
G. W. Brent and S. D. Hopkins were ap-
pointed a committee to escort Mr.. Hopkins to
the Chair On taking his position that gentle
| man delivered few appropriate remarks.