Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-28
Opposition State Convention.

The Opposition State Convention of Virginia
met at the African Church, Richmond, or
Wednesday last, the 22nd inst The number Of
delegates registered was 900, of whom SO were
from Augusta.
At II o'clock, the Convention was called to
order by Henry W. Thomas, OF Fairfax, on whose
motion v W. Southall, of Albemarle, was called
to the chair. I. S. Flournoy and John S. Pen
dleton conducted the chairman to the platform
He was greeted with loud applause, and before
taking his seat addressed the Convention. He
alluded to the various propositions brought
forth by the political parties OF the day. He de-
nounced the fire eaters OF both sections; con-
denned the Black Republicans, who, under the
guse of devotion to the Union, were seeking to
scatter every element of the Union to the winds
And, as if to add fuel to the flame, South Caro-
lima, which has always been prolific of revolu
tionary schemes, sends Commissioner to in
vite the mother of States and of statesmen to a
sectional conte ence. He hoped Virginia would
not touch that thing. Let her do something
more rational Let US unite and battle against
these schemes, ali of which, unless arrested,
must lead TO the same frightful and calamitous
result. Let US demand protection for our prop
erty of every species; demand every immunity
which tue Constitution guarantees, and protect
ourselves an the Union in preference to certain
ruin ont OF it.
On motion of Mr.. Thomas, the Chairman was
authorized to appoint committee of fifteen to
select permanent officers, viz:
H. W. Thomas, of Fairfax w. II. Summerell,
of Southampton; Travis H. Eppes, of Motto
way Jas. c. Bruce, of Halifax r. K. Irving, OF
Buckingham ohm A. Porter, of Orange; A. j.
Crane, OF Richmond city; Ro. Saunders, of
Williamsburg; j. Harrison Kelly, of Spottsylva-
mia; N. B. Meade, OF Clarke; S. Med. Moore, of
Rockbrdge; Guy b. French, OF Giles; Thos.
Poage, OF Pulaski P. NJ. Adams, of Wood and
Thos. Sweeny, of Ohio.
The Committee retired, and during their alb
sence the Hon. I. S. Flournoy, being called up
on, delivered an eloquent speech. He said -
mo man can loathe and detest the principles of
the Black Republican party more than do; but
are not the Democrats responsible for their
strength? Applause. Gan peace be restored
to our dis racted country by giving the control
of government into the hands Off either OF these
parties! And here let me warn you not to be
again deceived, as in 1865, by the appeals of the
Democrats to desert your own patriotic standard
bearer, Fillmore, aid them to elect Buchanan,
and thus defeat Fremont, and forever break
down the Black Republican organization and
save the Union. [Applause.] Thousands of
good and true Wings We're deceived by this
cunning device, and Buchanan was elected, but
the Union is yet i'll danger. Never BE- deceived
again. Buckle on your arInor, make your nom
nations, fight your battles for the Constitution
and the Union, applause and if the ELECTION of
President goes to the House of Representatives,
let it go there. Applause. Fight TOR the Con-
stitution and the Union, under your own banner,
ard leave the result with the God Of battles and
the storn."
On etnrning, the Committee submitted the
following report, which was adopted