Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-08-25

fFrom ihs Richmond Ua,) Isde1.
THE STAUNTON CONFERENCE.-THE PEO-
8 PIE VERSUS TIE P0LITICIANS-R0LL
q on THE BALI
After an enthusiastic session. characterized thro'-
out BY the utmost harmony, good feeling andunAn-
unity of sentiment the Convention Of the National
Democracy Of Virginia concluded its lsbors last Sat
urday, and with mutual pledges to earnest effort %
the good cause the members have returned TO their
bones. No Convention, save the Richmond Con-
yention which Nominated Breckenridge and Lane,
ever assembled in Virginia under such circumstances
OF disadvantage. Under tho influence OF vauitng-
ambition or infrmity Of will or desire Of dissolu
ton Of the Union. the politicians Of Virginia Sena-
tors Representatives editors local leaders, desert
ed in a body the standard Of Democracy, and their
own repeated assertions of principle, and under the
lead OF bold, bad men, grasped the helm OF Fir-
gina TO set the good old ship the dangerous tack
of dsunion. A half century Of willing obedience
of quiet acquiescence by the people Of the od Com
monwealth in the arrangement" Of these gentle
men constituted il was thought, an abundant guar
anty against popular resistance, and the lame sub
mission of 10000 freemen to the orders of ther he
reditary chiefs anticipated with confident
rance. 1t mattered that their chiefs by this act
renowned all their previous professions il mattered
not that they stood convicted Of the most garDg in
consistency that ever illustrated the sommersaults of
politicians; it mattered not that the victim demand
ed the trues friends of the South that adorn the
field Of national politics; it mattered not that the
pretence Of principle" was demonstrably without
foundation it mattered not that the cause which
they asked the Democracy to desert was sanctifed
by the unanimous support Of two generations of
Virginians; it mattered not that the principle now
denounced carried in Virginia four years since
by 80, 600 majority Such had been the willing sup
port Of the Democracy to all the measures of these
guides, in by gone days that these worthy gentle
men never seemed to have entertained the suspicion
af n rpv0luti0u They nIaead tno lou mat
on the intelligence and Independence of the Virginia
people, as the Staunton Convention proves beyond
peradventure. With all the pipelayers against
them, with scarce corporals guard of presses IA
voring their cause, with ye-sixths of their del
egaton flying from their duty in spite of every ef
fort to argue and TO ridicule them out of their
solve they met in solemn council, repudiated the
acts Of the deserters nailed the banner of National
Democracy to the masthead and bound themselves
to earnest endeavor for the redemption of the State
Between three and four hundred delegates were
in attendance representing all quarters, and maugre
the politicians, all classes Of the Commonwealth;
and although the fact of the holding Of the Conven
ton and the fact Of public responses to the call,
were studiousy concealed-although personal influ-
ence was everywhere strained and sectional pride
everywhere appealed TO- the Convention was a.deci-
ded success-the members were determined-the
organization adopted-the action regular and har-
monious and the plan Of action matured and tho
&c Convention-as emphatically peoples Conven-
ton. Men were present who had taken part
in politics in a score Of years. who felt however,
that the presence Of the threatening demon of dis
union was a summons to the field which no patriot
could resist and the spirit which brought them
from their homes animated all To this end no
sacrifce that could honorably be made was deemed
too great, and even their just indignation at the
treatment received at the hands of their delegates
and leaders, did not for a moment blind then to the
paramount considerations of large patriotism; thus
proposition for conference the subject Of CON-
promise by the Seceders was treated with as much
consideration as II 10 had been made in good faith
and even after the members had been deceived tri-
fled with and insulted by the most contemptuous
Sights on the part Of the Seceders, they indicated
their love for the South and the Union, by resolu
ton almost unanimously passed, to WELD their
strength in any event, against the most prominent
OF the two enemies OF both.
In this spirit, let enter the campaign with right
justice consistency, democracy and the ncalculsble
blessings of the Union, to arm us for the struggle