Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-08-21
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.
I IL0TFsSFoh"eHcc GF The IflcHm0nH EnquiTe1
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA,


| Thursday, the 18th instant, about GOO dele.
gates assembled at Town Hall at | o'clock, P.
NJ.
On motion Of DR.. D. H. Tucker, of Rich
mond. the Hon. S. T. Lrake was appointed
temporary Chairman
Mr.. Lcake returned thanks in an appropriate
address, in which the relative merits Of the
different platforms and candidates now before
the ltople were reviewed in clear, concise
rman,cr
Mr. Mason, Of King George, moved that the
Democratic editors present he appointed Secre.
tarieS,
Gen Banks, OF Madison, moved TO amend
by appointing Mr.. James Alexander, Of Char.
lottes!ille, Secretary, and requesting the mem
ber, Of the Democratic press Of the State to
cooperate with him.
The motion rs amended was adopted.
Mr. W. F. Gordon, Jr of Albemarle, moved
the appointment Of Il committee on permanent
organization, 10 be composed Of one member
from each electoral district
Some confusion ensucd from the handing in
Of names Of delegates to the secretaries to be
recorded.
Gen. Banks Of Madison, moved that the Hon.
James NJ Mason be forthwith elected perina'
ncnt President Of the Convention.
The objection was raised that this matter ap
pcrtained in the first instance to the committee
on permanent organization; therefore, that Gen.
Banks motion was not in order
Tho iIboir 1ori1rl that (,rn Ranks motion
was in order.
Hon. James NJ. Mason then expressed the
opinion that the Office in question would more
properly devolve on some delegate not officially
connected with the Federal Government Mr.
Mason much preferred that the matter should
be regularly referred to the committee on per-
nanent organization.
Gen. Banks then withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Gordons motion, for the appointment ot
committee OIL permanent organization, was
then adopted.
The Chair appointed the following commit
tee:
Mcssrs. W. +. Gordon, Albenarlc; Willough,
bv Newton, Wcstmoreland; Sam'l II. Letcher,
Rockbridge; Sam'l Carpenter, Allegheny; Rich
ard W. Saunders, Wythe; James Dove, Rich
uond city; W. D. Edwards, Franklin; Bcnj'n
Bassell, Upshur; r. +. Dennis, Greenbricr; E.
C. Robinson, Norfolk city; Lawson Eastman,
Rappahannock; John Wallace, Monongalia; R.
| H. Vaughan, Elizabeth City; r. Hendrick,
Mucklcnburg; Saml Garland Jr., Lynchburg
3. Kcyscr, Roanoke.
The Convention then adjourned 10 re-asscm
bic at o'clock, P. NJ
1 O'CLOCK, p NJ.
| Il, ,.r.,,1 11ip,, nc ttn HonpnDfion this
Committee on Organization presented the FOL
lowing report:
The Committee respectfully report, for per
mancnt officers Of the Convention:
For pnEsrDESr-William NJ. Amber, o
Louisa.
Fox Vrcp PgEslDEHrS-Shclton +. Leukc, o.
Albenarle; B. +. Eppes, Essex; D. II. Branch
Petersburg; W. p Mosclcy, Buckingham; j.
H. Walscn, PittSyvania; j. Alfred Jones, Rich
mond city; &. D. Wise, Acconlac; VIM Hill
King William; John S. Barbour, Culpeper
Robt. Simpson, Warren; Jas. II. Skinner, Au
gusta; r. F. Dennis, Grccnbrier; W. II. Cooke
Wythc; 7. L. Brown, kanawhh; Jno. Wallace
Monongala.
The Committee recommended Nat. Tyler ane
Wm Old, Jr., as Secretaries, and the Editors
Of the Democratic press present as assistants
They also recommend the rules Of the House
Of Delegates, rs far as applicable, for the gov
crnment Of this Convention.
They also recommend that 80 members may
demand n scaled vote, and that in taking
such vote the Democratic strength Us cast lr
the last Presidential election shall be the basis
| thereof
After the defeat Of an amendment proposing
! to reduce to 90 the number Of delegates re-
uuired to call Il sealed vote, the report OF the
Committee was adopted without amendment
On motion of Mr.. Mason, Of King George,
Committee Of three was appointed to conduc'
Mr. Amble- to the Chair.
Messrs. Mason, of King George, Fisher, o.
Northampton, and W. +. Gordon, Of Abe
marie, then conducted Mr.. Amber to the chair
On assuming the Chair, Mr. Amber delv
cred very eloquent and appropriate address
dwelling with much warmth OF congratulator
on the proud position Of the National Democ
racy, who have chosen to separate even from
their most intimate political friends, for the
sake Of the assertion Of just and necessary
constitutional principle.
The following letter from James Lyons, Esq,
of Hemrico, was then read before the Conven'
tion:
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
August 14th, 1860.
Sir-Thc people Of the county of Henrlco
did me the honor to appoint me ono OF their
delegates TO the Convention Of the Democratic
party, which is to assemble at Charlottesville
tomorrow. From sudden and sharp at
tack of illness, at this place, am unable to
perform the duty and as | am unwilling to be
considered Indifferent to the interests OF the
party and the welfare Of our country, in this
hour of trouble and peril to both, beg per-
mission, through you, most respectfully, TO
announce to the Convention and to my conSti'
tuents, the cause of my absence from the post
assigned Inc. With how much pleasure and
fidelity I would fulfil, to the best of my very
humble ability, the duties Of that post II my
health permitted, no one, | trust, Will doubt
No one will doubt who knows me- and knows
with how much pain | have bchcld the dlTi'
sion and distraction Of the only political or
ranization which could have saved the country
from the horrors of Black Republican rule, or
the ills, though temporary, N! dIsmemnere'i
Union how much luath the selfish and un-
prncipled leader, who, 10 crafty hls alhb'lloh
and serve his necessities, has forced these tro'i-
bles upon us; and how deeply admire the
nominecs-the gifted Breckenridge and the
gallant Lane-of our noble party, which,
scornng all corrupt compromises and gui;;
dcd by honor and justice, has placed
its flag upon the rarnparts of the Constitution,
determined to defend it or fall with it. But,
fall they cannot, unless the people ol this
country have become weary Of liberty, and
determined 10 overthrow their own Govern,
mcnt, or too corrupt to hear the restraints Of
law and equal rights will not believe either
for although many-not very many-honestly
mised, now follow the treacherous and iaithleSs
Douglas, they do not mean to sacrihce tneir
country to swell his pageant; and when they
find, as find they will, that he cannot carry a
State in the Union, and they must do battle
for the enemies of the South, the Constitution,
truth and Justice, under Lincoln, or against
them under breckenridge and Lane, they will
close their ranks once more--and once more,
with rcsistless and triumphant force, rescue
the Constitution, save the South from pollution,
and nreserye the Union. If they will not, then