Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-07-27
Democratic Meeting.

July, (Court day,) to appoint delegates to Stat
H s,a called to assemble in Staunton tn
Capt. THOS. BURKEwas appointed to the Chair
ana s. 5, N: YosT chosen Secretary.
y. M. cochran, Dr., offered the following reso
LIST. Resolued, That we fully approve Of tie sc
ton of Messrs. S. NJ. Yost end s. Fl. Moffet. tn
delegates from this District to the Charleston ant
| Baltimore Conventions ~
End. We endorse the nominations of STEptIE,
a. ,DoUGLAS and HEHSCHEL v. JOHNSON
as the regularly nominated candidates of the Ma
tional Democratic party, for the office of Presiden
ana Vice President of the United States.
sd. We subscribe to the platform of principle
aooptea at Baltimore by the Convention that nom
mated Douglas and johnson, as national in comnre
henslon, and in accordance with the time honored
pohcy OF the Democratic party and the best anc
most substantial interests of the South.
4th. We will agree to any fair and honorable
compromise of the differences which now divid,
the Virginia Democracy, with view to maintain
ing the State organization, and presenting an up
broken front to our lifelong opponents
9Th. We approve of the cali for a. Convention O
the Democracy of the State, on the 18th of Angus
next, at Staunton; and any democrat in the coun-
ty Is authorized to act as delegate in said Con
vention.
Col. I: NJ. Deborah called for vote on the res
| outions seraotim. Some discussion was had on tn
4th resolution, but all Of them were adopted with
out opposition.
!. s. b Brown, ESQ, offered tie following is tht
basis OF compromise that had been aged upor
| by the friends Of Douglas and Breckenridge:
| ResotveG, That we recommend to the Conven-
lions to which our delegates are respectively ap-
pointed, to agree upon the following terms of com
promise between the contending wings of the Vir.
| ginia Democracy, viz That the Virginia Demoo-
racy ST all vote for one Electoral Ticket. End tia.
the Electors II elected shall cast the vote of Vir
ginla 1or breckenridge or Douglas accordingly as
IT may elect either Of Them il that election is Dos
slDle but it viii not elect either then it shall be
cast for Breckenridge, if he las larger Electoral
vote outside OF Virginia than Douglas, or for
douglas, 1t ne has more than Breckenridge.
That Messrs. Moffett Smith and Leake are re-
commended to speak to favorable consideration
of this proposition.
Mr.. Smith was introduced t the large audience
ana proceeded in one of the happiest efforts of his
unity against common foe. Spoke of the expan-
sion OF our territorial limits Under democ ratio
rule, and the golden future that awaited. if this
great organization were true to itself He dissect
ed the Black Republican ell for Convention. ex-
posed us sectlonaiism, warned the friends of the
Union that it was no time for dissens;on when so
dangerous an enemy was marshailing her forces
right before us. He enioned it as duty upon tie
! frienls OF Oou sas, Breckenridge and Bell
| TO unite in this contest He had no word of com
plant or harshness to utter against fellow demo-
Gratis. tie came to urge harmony and unity-for
Douglas men-amocg whom he recognized true
end tried friends and Democrats-and Breckin-
ridge men, to come" together in Virginia upon the
platform OF compromise presented which of course
he thought, would be exceedingly gratifying to the
opposition, and preserve the organization ana the
vote Of Virginia to the Democratic party lie
begged OF the opposition never again to charge the
Democracy with being the ''spoHs partu" Were
The charge true, they would not now be divided
Regardless of patronage and power and "spoits, -
they were divided upon a principle which was a
living refutatcn Of the charge.
| Gov. Smith sroee for one hour, ard we but utter
a general sentiment that it was most catholic,
eloquent and effective appeal to tie divided De
mocracy OF Virginia to unite in this fearful etaer-
gencv. We heard not single expression Of dis
satisfaction from. either Rreckin.idge or Douglas
Democrats.
Coz. Leake next addressed tie large concorrse
OF citizens He alluded to his early struggi when
quite young man, in Augusta county, in endeay-
orlng to teach the young idea how to shoot, When
the Democracy in three DAYS election could
not raise 500 votes. Now that it had prOwa to BE
a power to be feared and co.irted, he met at
the very Threshold OF his entrance hy division
lie came not to sreak to either wing. Re came,
On the contrary, as American citizen to preach
unity and harmony, and to beg of his Democratic
brethren not to forget that there were considera-
lions higher than devotion to the fortunes of a
man, pressing upon them in this contest. The
Union was in danger-far greater than they dream =
ca CT The election of Lincoln would preci,ita te
dissolution. lie spoke not ef Virginia. She would
await results But South Corolina Alabama Mis-
sissippi and other States would inevitably secede,
N the event of the triumph OF the Black l4epuhli-
cans. He refuted the charge that the Democrats;
party was for its own men, regardless Of the inter-
ess OF the country, In the last Congress, % Dem
ocIats had gcie over to % Opposition in the sup
port OF an cid Inns Whig--Mr. Smith. OF n. c.
for the Speaker ship lie then asked, how could
the Opposition reconcile their support of Bell and
Everett with their opposition to John Letcher,
when Bell had opposed tile repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise, and declared in favor OF the constr
tutionaity OF the Wimot proyiso 2 He announced
himself favorable to the election of Mr.. Dteck;n-
ridge, but preferred Douglas either to Bell or Lin
coin.
Pr. siofYett next took tie stand His position
being different from that OF Messrs Smith ard
Leake, he having been delegate from ills District
TO the Charleston and Baltimore Conventions we
have deemed it but Justice to him 70 notice hi ore
fully his remarks the substance Of whth Is rs fol-
lows
lappear before you to-day, fellow Democrats
under circumstances which are somewhat enbar-
RAISING. The resolution which has been passed by
both parties Recommending Meesrs. Smith, I4eakc
and myself to spee6 favorably ofa compromise,
which has beer approved by both sides, renders it
necessary thetl shc6ld notice that subject. must
deal candiGly With this Question: ard SHALL respond
to the extent which Justice to myself permits, as
cannot disregard the request Of those gallant DEM
ocrats who have so generously sustained me in all
the difficulties by which are sl,rroUEded. My
position, however, is very different FROM that of
the gentlemen who have Just addressed YOU, as |
have beer an active participation in the deiibera-
tons Of the National Convertions. >.
AS there seems tc have. teea general under
standing that we arc 20 have nc discussion ao-day
OF the issues which divide us, /, of course, feel
bound to acquesce, but constrained to alu9e
to one Or two facts which merely concern u vself
and colleague, which illusions Justice to mY own
position as your representative requires. You all
know that my colleague and myself steadily refus-
81 to countenance anyt thing like disruption of the
Democratic party, and that were governed by
desire paramount to all others, the defeat Of the
Black Republicans. The gentlemen who have pre-
ceded me have alluded the absolute necessity for
a union Of the party in most feeling terms, and [
heartily join them in mourning over the division
of our once invincible organization. lnever con-
sented to disruption and of course would rejoice
at anything like reunion. | say this much be-
cause it Is true, and because stand to-day where
have ever stOpdy the earliest advocate of the uni
| ty of the great Rational Democracy. | fought
hard to preserve this'unity and done all that it was
in nv power to that end As the disruption oc-
cured against my wishes, feel no responsibility
| whatever resting upon ne, for the happening of
| the most unfortunate occurrence which marks our
history as naton | have nothing to regret in
my past action whatever ind have no recantations
to make. would not change or recall solitary
vote that have given. and stand now where
| have stood from the first. | have never sought
dissenson or strife and have war to make upon
| tiny Democrat here to- day who may differ with
me. ] have been gratilied with the conciliatory
speeches ofthe gentlemen who preceded me, and
most sincerely II egret that they were not member:
OF the Material CCiventon, where their aGric
and influence might haseeeem exercised in behalf
of that union and harmony, which they have SO
eloquently shown to be necessa airy 10 the perpetu
ity of the Onion. They have most earnestly call,
ed upon the Democracy to unite, and have stated
their determination to advocate the compromise
-yyhch has haen Nod N t;va