Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-02-28
,,nLe VOC conducted to the Chair, and de-

pAtJNS was
iyered a brief and appropriate address.
Mr., ". l.. jackson, of Wood county; hen
allied IN the motion of Mr.. Stovall, and moved
an amendment enabling all Democrats from
counties not represented, to act as dclesa'cs
from such counties. ,hr
Mr.. jackson, amid many Interruptions ANY
advocated the resolution.
A motion was then made to IN! Inc "hoi'
on the table. ~
Col. Henry T.. Garnctt, OF estmoreian"'
then spoke at some length IN opposition TO the
A(,cr this, the disorder was almost deafening:
Some of the opponents to the resolution raised
noints of order, appealed from the decision Of
the Cl,air-called for division on such appeals.
This and the incident uproar seemed likely 10
defer all vote upon the resolution until looms
dav. In the midst Of much confusion, Il vote
was taken, aud the Chair decided that the reso-
luton was laid upon the table.
On motion Of Gen. kelnper, Of Madison; inc
Convention then adjourned until Su'ciock r. NJ
NIGHT SESSION.
Mr.. Newman, of Marion, called mp Mr.. Sto'
wallis motion, and accepted Mr.. jackson $
amendment.
An animated discussion then ensued, ana
the motion was again Distracted 10y a nnlloer
of parliamentary devices, as well rs by tlIe W
most uproar and confusion. After much de'ay
a scaled vote was taken. After which the tu'
multi was renewed. and. amid the confusion, Tue
Convention adjourned until Friday morning, III
II o'clock.
FRIDAY MORNING.
Previous to the aSscmblage OF the ConVer'
" -..t o,,itnr,.pt o,u, upIptpI hy ali DlT-
ties. The vote Of the previous evening not Me'
announced, was regarded as u test vote. Inc
opponc,,ts Of Governor Wise had voted al
most To n 1nan against the resolution II
being known that a large majority OF TIC
Democrats OF the General Assembly were
Wise's friends. Many, too, Of NiSes lrienos
had opposed the rcsnlutiOn-somr because thet
regarded it us irregular; others because t'ie!y
desired to leave the minority no ground ior
COMPLAINT. The excitement was intensified oy
a rumor that Il number o! the minority l'ao ae'
termined TO move for an adjournment stne dte,
to avoid u resolution Of preference Tor Nise.
On the aSseInbIacc Of the Convention. the
Chairman appointed tie following committee,
to propose suitable resolutions, in response to
those received from the Democracy OF Conncc-
ticut:
Messrs. Stovall, Kelly OF Nansemond, Gar
nett OF Westmoreland, Jackson Of Wood, and
Cooke Of Wythc.
The names of electors selected by the re-
~spective delegations OF the several electoral
districts were then announced, and their ap-
pointmcnts confirmed.
Gel. S. L. Paul, OF Petersburg. in presenting
the names of the electors Of the I'd district,
also presented the following resolutions:
Resolved, That every suggestion Of patriotism
and policy lavorS concerted State acton III all
intended for the security Of consti-
%tu,ional State rights.
Resolved. therefore, That the General As
of Virginia should respond farorably
to the invitation of the State Of South Carolina,
lately communicated by her Commissioners in
by the appointment Of Commissioner
to a united Southern Conference.
The Chairman ruled that the consideration
of these resolutions was now out OF order, ana
the Secretaries to announce the re-
suit Of the scaled vote. taken the evening pre-
yious. The vote stood as rollowS:-aycs
40, 940, noes 2S, ?03-najority for Mr.. Jack
sons resolution ll,9S1.
The announcement was received with great
applause. -, ,
Gen. Cnapt)al, q! -Moilfoe' tHci duH'eSscu
the Chair. prefacing q resolution which he pro-
posed to offer, with a warm and eloquent advo'
cacy of the nomination Of Gov. Wise for the
Presidency, which was received with thundcrs
Of applause.
Col. McMullen interrupted to request the
of the resolution, which was wordcd
as follows:
"Resolved, That in the opinion Of this Con-
Henry a. Wise is the choice Of the
Democracy of this State for the Presidency
Gen. Chapman continued his remarks, and
was interrupted by Mr.. d. Wallach, editor OF
the Washington Star" and admitted to the
floor as a delegate from Culpeper,) who re-
ouestcd permission to read a substitute which
he proposed to offer, which permission was &C.
corded. Much confusion ensued from Mr..
Wallach's insisting on an immediate vote on
his proposed substitute. He was called to
order, and Gen. Chapman proceeded to advocate
the resolution Of preference with an ability
which commanded the attention Of all, and
5woke reiterated pcals Of loud applause.
After General Chapman resumed his seat.
confusion cnsued, several members claim
ing the floor.
Col. McMullcp, after some explanation. yield
cd the floor to Mr.. Il. B. Douglas, Of King
William.
Mr.. Douglas. being called to the stand, pro-
posed, with the consent Of Mr.. Wallach. who
withdrew his own resolution, the following
substitute for Gen. Chapman's resolution:
Resolved, That we deem it ine&rcdicnt at
this time. to declare a preference for any Of the
distinguished men who have been named in
connection with the Presidential nomination to
be made by the approaching National Demo-
Convention. 10 he held Mt Charleston. S.
c.; but We do deem i, cXpedient and proper. in
the name of the Virginia Democracy. to pledge.
md we do hereby pledge ourselves to use all
honorable efforts to secure the vote Of this
to the ticket nominated by the said
Convention, and thereby accom-
pliSh The overthrow Of the enemies Of the Fede-
eral Constitution, and preserve the blessings Of
union TO ourselves and onr pcsteritv.
Mr.. Douglas addressed the Convention with
much ability and was listened TO without inter.
r%uptinn. His speech was fair, direct and man
~. lie paid 4 high tribute to the character
and services of Gov. Wise, and based his oppo-
Sition to the vote of preference on the ground
that it was. Ms he believed, opposed to the De-
usage of the State. And here. in JUS
toa fair aud generous opponent, we take the
liberty to assert, that had Mr.. Douglas associates
in opposition to the vote of preference united
in the spirit Of fairness which animated his
conduct throughout the proceedings Of the Con-
the voice Of the majority would have
been fully expressed in decency and order, and
much excited and cxaspcratcd feeling would
have been spared.
In conclusion, Mr.. Douglas good humorcdly
announced that Gen. Chapman had been elect
ed to the Legislature in opposition to the nomi-
nee Of his party.
Gen. Chapman explained, that he had been
nominated BY both parties, and for the purpose
Of furthering the completion Of the CoVington
and Ohio road, and that after he became a can.
didatc a few Of his personal enemies attempted
to exclude him by what they called a Demo-
cratic ticket regularly nominated. but which
he did not recognize as such.
a[r. Douglas concluded with brief rcioinaer;
after which, Col. McMuilen obtained the floor,
and spoke with much humor against the rcso-
luton Of preference. He announced that his
own first choice for the Presidency was the