Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-02-28

THE Opposition Convention at Rich
monl, SO fur as we have had reports from
it, seems to have been a large and enthu-
siastic gathering, and to have been in the
main harmonious and hearty in its action.
We can readily imagine that such would
be the case, for the Opposition of this
State, call them by what name you will,
have been always only the intelligent
portion of the population, par excellence,
but chastened, thtnned. and purified by,
defeat after defeat, they have adhered to
their organization on principle, and with
out other motive than the hope to infuse.
the leaven of their faith into the counsels
of the dominant party. There is notabody
of men in the country, we believe, who for
solid weight'of character, and for tried and
trusty moral and political worth, viii out
weigh the. Opposition force in this State
They are patriotic men and good mon, as a
rule, in every sense of the word. Hence we
are not surprised to find their late copven-
ton harmonious, digni6ed, and high
toned throughout its deliberations 1t
speaks well for their devotion to their
principles that the convention this
this year was even larger and moro enthn-
siastic than it was last ycar-and finer
body of men than that convention we
never saw assembled; and that the strength
of their attachment to their principles was
in no wise lessened by the recent excite
ment which has gone abroad, not only
over this State, but which has swept like
whirlwind all over the South. We take
courage from the fact-for it is morally
certain that while SO large and SO weighty
body of men, representing so much that
is sound and conservative, stand so truly
to Union principles, the schemes of fire
fire-eaters and dis-unionists will always
be abortive.
Not among the least noticeable proceed
ings of this Convention was the order OF
invitation to Hon. John N. Bolts, to adj
dress them on last Thursday night, which
he did in a speech of two hours length,
thus showing in despite all of Mr.. Bolts
heresies and FREQ Soil affiliations, for
which Wise and his organ have denounced
him in unmeasured terms, the former even
threatening (were he Governor again) to
expel him from the State, he is still look
cd upon as one of the great and shining
lights, if not the very Nestor of the Oppo-
sitiou in the State. The intelligent men
who composed that Convention know that
Mr.. Bolts is great deal nearer right than
wrong, and we doubt not they feel that to
his complexion, call it Republicanism ii
you will, the Opposition politics of this
State must come at last.
The Richmond Enquirer, with its usual
ultra malignancy, makes a most violent
assault upon Mr.. Bolts and his speech,
closing its remarks with the following
paragraph:
Let us hear no more of character, re-
spectability, honesty, principle, integrity
to Southern rights. Bolts spoke his real
sentiments and was not kicked out of the
house.
Thus speaks the Organ of Gov. Wise,
the man who aspires to be President over
free people, people whose organic law
forbids them to attempt abridging the
freedom of speech or of the press. Isn't
it picture of benif1cent cardinal demo-
cratic principles2"