Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-05-12
Secretaries

u. L. Enrly, Ina.
Adol phus Musser, Maine
Richard Bell. Miss.
John II. Calender Tenn
Mr.. Doncls)n stated the question to be upon the
adoption of the report, which was unanimously
agreed IT..
The President addressed the Convention as fol-
lows
Gcntlemea OF the Convention --rljs unexpected
manifestation Of your kindness and confidence
fills my heart with emotions which J am utterly
unable to express. To be called upon to preside
over such assembagc as this, embracing so
many gentlemen. eminent for public services for
patriotism, for high intellect. for public nnd for
private yirues-is an honor which most deeply
prize, and which | shall remember, gentlemen,
with the proioundcst gratitude during my whole
life. (Applause.) | cannot but regret that this
honor had fallen upon one more worthy to bear
it. ! feel that you have gwen me double rnr.
ton of kindness to-day, and could wish it had
been otherwise. But, gentlemen, since it j. your
pleasure. feel bound to respond to it, and nccor-
ding to the best of my ability l will endcasor to
| discharge the duties belonging TO the place to
| which yon have ASST gned me. | feel that may
rely with perfect confidence upon the kind ope
ration and courtesy and the spirit OF order which
| pervndcs this body.
! | see before me, in all who arc present trust,
who justly estimate the Importance of dellera-
tion, Of orlor, IF decorum, in ransacing the bus
| mess of deliberaivo assembieS, and | trust that
in the course Of the proceedings We may be able
to impress the country with the conviction that it
is not yet too late for gentlemen to come together
to deliberate upon public affairs in the spirit Of
harmony with sentiments of mutual deierrnc" and
scirespcct. (Applause) With these kind feelings
of forhearnnce. .otmutual brotherhood and affection
which animated the Congress and tho Convention
in the o,len times Of the Republic when such men
ms Hamilton and Madison, and their conn atrots
could come together and interchange though and
sentiments and opinions for the good ana glory
of a great country. and for the Republic which
was established by their wise and patriotic couu.
oil-. tAprause.)
We come here as the representatives Of lrcr in
dependent States, which have united their dcsi.
MES together for great and noble purposes, and
we will not disguise from ourselves the fact that
we come from States widely separated perhaps to
some extent by diyersties Of Institutions, Of eli.
mate and socinl organization; and that oar tnion
embraces two classes Of States, which are some,
times in these modern days placed in attitude Of
antagonsm and hostility to each other on account
Of peculiar differences which exist in their social
and domestic organization. And there are those
WIN would magnify and cxasgprate those
differences to such degree that the people Of
those two classes of States shall no longer regard
each other as friends and BRETHREN but shall look
upon ono another with averted ewes, rs aliens,
perhaps as enemies. Yes, gentlemen, there are
such in both sections of this glorious Union Of
ours, regret to say it, but there are men in
this land ho would organize strife into system,
and make disc,rd the foundation for the po-
tical action of our country. God forbid that The
people of this proud land, whether from the North
or the South, or anywhere. should by their action
give sanction or approval or encouragement to
those who would kindle the fres Of discorJ. APP
plaue.
On the other hand, gentlemen, there is class
people, II large mass in this country, North and
SOUTH rejoice to see them represented here to-
day-who desire to put away there causes of
difference and contention, who feel and understand
know that our government and our constitution
were not intended to take jurisdiction ann recog-
nizance OF these disputes and quarrels between
sections, but the great and original design was to
establish perpetual peace harmony and union be-
tween the members of our glorious confederacy;
(applause). There are those-I am one of them,
and so is each one of you all-belonging to that
class who would, if possible. bring back tho pub
lie mind ofthe country to the consideration Of those
great and common interests which concorn
whole country, and upon which we can all stand
together, one and inseperable, as people aud
one nation; (great applause). Be it our part to
do what we may, and what we can to promote and
difusc spirit If broad and generous nationali-
ty, feelings Of furebearauce and moderation, n
disposition to tolerate differences of sentiments
upon subjects where differences are unavoidable.
So far as the particular question is concerned,
which has been madc the bane of politics.
which has furnished to the class of politicians and
fanatics in the land the elements ofstriie and dis
cord. let remember that from our peculiar posi-
ton, from differences of education, of sur
roundngs, Of habit of sectional interests and do
mesic construction Of society. there will be GER
tain shades OF difference, and we cannot all see
things precisely alike. Itwas always so, gentle
men; it was 50 from the bcgi6ning from the day
the proloaud and great men Of the republic, at the
conams ncement Of our career of free government,
4eamc together to establish this union Of Statesfto
f5fuS 4 system Of political freedom which should
eNdbe us to on as one nation, as one Of the
q, eat mowers of the world to proteet ourselves