Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-02-24
Tho oppos,tson Conventions.

The proceedings of this body of very re-
spectable and highly esteemed gentlemen, aP-
pear in the columns Of the Enquirer, from the
"Whis" solely because Of the exclusion from the
floor of the best stenographer in Richmond" WHO
had agreed to report for the enquirer oue
who upon application at the door "aS'reiuS'u
admission.
We have attended this Convention, and,
without being much edited, have been no little
on,,soa n tho amount of Loves labor lost,
nv co larre and enthusiastic q body of Virginia
gentlemen.
We could not suppress the thought, for what
has this body assembled? Whom do they re-
present? What power can they exercise as all
independent organization? In 1856, MIR. Fill
more received s73, 055 votes; Mr.. Buchanan
1,S34,337; Mr.. Fremont l,341,sl2. In the
electoral college Mr.. Fillmore receivedS' "ha'
Influence can such an organization exert: With
out power sufficient to render their principles
noticeable. such an organization, while it may DC
able 10 assemble bodies Of the most respectable
| nc0tlGID1Tl, IuuSl w po"Si
extended to Mr.. Bolts, was unfortunate; surely
experience has taught the opposition gentle
men Of Virginia, but little wisdom, when they
allow all their fine spun prospects, all their ar
built castles, to be destroyed by the mad-oull
of the suburbs. But every party, as well Us
individuals, TO their liking. Those who lie down
with the SOW must not complain if men laugh
ut the mud and slime with which they are COW
cred. Mr.. Staples complained yesterday OF the
abuse and degradation visited upon the Wh'gs
by the Democratic party. Can Mr.. Staples ex-
pect otherwise when Mr.. Bolts is the compll-
mcnted orator Of Convention who had just
escaped administration de boais non" upon the
RufFncr Pamphlet?
We regret not being able to lay the speeches
made in this Convention before our readers,
but owing TO the person who would have re-
ported the speeches, having incurred the dis
pleasure Of some committee or other because OF
4 very faithful and accurate report OF the great
"frcc-negro'' alliance speech Of Mr.. Bolts, be
was.rejected.
The Enquirer has never withheld from
its columns the speeches of Opposition mem
bers but, during the present session OF the
Legislature, has extended benefits TO those who
had not Jared so we'll in other quarters. We
state this to show that VIC have not been want
inc in that proper respect due to so large an
assembly Of our fellow-citizens OF Virginia
The Groom of Johanna" appeared last
evening before the Convention. We have not
now time nor space to review the scene nor
comment upon the speech. Suffice for to-
day, the speech was peculiarly Bottsish, even to
the '',ecyms." There is one point to which We
would call Mr.. a. H.,ll. Stuart's attention. lie
was charged by Bolts last night, for he wrote
the l~larper's Ferry report, with 'rrhits-'cash,
iug' and approving the alleged improper con-
duct 0: Gov. Wise.
Now, Mr.. Stuart, either Mr.. Bolts tells 4 lie
or you have acted UNANIMOUSLY; and have been
so publicly charged in the presence of the
Convention Of your party. Vindlcatc yourself
today. Gov. Wise can take care of himself
DottS was allcr you-ilS ii'"s. an i"" '"N"
Of Gov. Wise was 10 lay a foundation upon
which to base a charge against youths COM
petitor for the preference Of this Convention.
If the impudcnce, the unblushing falSchood Of
Bolts, claims the preference of so respectable
q body OF Virginia gentlemen, q truce to the
boastcd honesty, responsibility and character
Of Wings. a man who impudently displays tht
evidence (it'i was true, aehich, Of course, Il
oas not of completely with the Black Repub
~licans, presents his claims to Virginia gentle
men and is not kicked from the house!
Let us here no more Of character, respecta'
bility. honesty, principle, integrity to Southerl
rights. Bolts spoke his real sentiments anc
was not kicked out Of the house.