Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-12-13
viRGINlA STATE CONVENTION.
SECREI SESS-OS.
?y!LRTEEITH p.iY.
MONDAY, ArRiL 90, 1851.
.FNSTISI.En

SECRET SESS-OS.
7JLLRTEEEzA pAY.
MONDAY, ArWL 90, 1851.
coSrrSrEn
v. WV. Y. CEcIL, Of Tuzewcil.-l attn graft
:; % ind that M friend from Culpepcr,
N, BAsBouR) and my friend from Amelia,
" H.Rvle,) have 50 fully sustained the
lbs d that distinguished gentleman John
r.,yi feel it my duty, however, coming
:. d > the region OF country to which he
.,on:>, - bear my hu'ublc testimony TO the
.-ata: qualifications OF that distinguished
'..rGian.
:: Is true that the bitterness and malignity
= vhich he has been prosecuted by the enc.
: vf tie South, is the strongest testimony
): cnuld be rendered to his fidelity to that
.;,.on and, under these circumstances, it
s:a.s 10 me hat it is q duty which Virginia
rs - hcr distinguished son to give him her
:y:sc,nent by e!ecting hiu to this position.
81 satisfied that it is a position which Gov
-.,. Floyd has no: sought nor does not seek;
~, is 20 less the duty Of Virginia to confer
.??n hin, and thus repudlate the ca.
.@@a.:s wh!ch Yankee hostility and sec;iona!
a,:5. rad conceived and propagated
ancw :hat such action on the part Of this
ya7ep,i9n would be gratifying to him, while,
!, hsrc said, he has no desire for The position
:.-::he. than its Specification in the connec.
100 Ehich have named. Ii would be graft.
-. 10 him TO know, moreover, that the peo-
:..oi Virginia appreciate his fidelity, and the
-,seEt services which he has rendered to the
:G;h.
:: there IS man in the Commonwealth Of
-.:iais who deserves we'll OF his State and
.cioa, tina. man is John B. Floyd No mau
4 done as much as ne has to place Virginia
: position in which she could best Sustain
:e-s...i. No man who had ever occupied seat
..:. Cabinet Of the Uaited States, except John
: Floyd, had taken the pains Of making just
Il air distribution Of the arms which be
! ,?sed TO the Federal Government amongst
! :. Southern States.
1as testimony did, and By that act display
4 a foresight, craftsmanship and ssgacity
1-!:h are characteristic Of great minds and
3ound thinkers. lie SAW what was to come,
L: ne took occasion, in due time, to place
!,=s in the hands Of the South to enable her
..'eal herself against the aggressions which
:: say in pr;spect. 1t VAS trul wise move,
|
axis Of e:"ry Southern man.
s$k, t..cr@fOre. 10. only as matter Of
=:lt % South western Virginia, which has al
slyS aeca !:,ia 10 The State and 20 tho whole
>,!:i:. "a. as :.r az; of simple justice to John
ilnrd. tia: :,e bY elected to this position
j: las been always the first and ablest advo-
.:e Of S9uts,ria rights in my section, and it is
.:ajGs. reward even fpr that servic" thst he
:1g.s DC chosen to this position.
I:wou,d h.. peculiarly gratifying to that sec
- e see this distinguished gentlemen elect
- III: post Of inp0rLsEce, and it is need
= u a. that if elected, he will be found Of
"a: AID faithful.
:ru:. it will bc the pleasure OF the Con.
;:1aon 70 c0cfcr that position upon him.
Il. MAHMADCRs Johnson, OF R:ch;noud.-i
.-;e :G add my humble testimony TO the
:,2s Of the gentleman who was put in ro!ai-
:.",a D.: ny friend from Montgomery, (Mr
:a5s!oS)
2a'e long had the pleasure Of a cordial
.:aua. acquaintance with that gentleman,
4: % those members Of the Convention who
=? not havc erjnyed that pleasure, it affords
:: s'sat satisfaction to recommend him.
Asa gentleman in private life he is possess
: Q; al the social qualities which eudeaT him
io,e With whom he is brought into asSocia-
~.
Is cae Of I. calm, rejecting mind, | know of
LEV 81 his age who are his equals; of none
70 IS lis superior as vigorous and energetic
:;:;or -cs pable of meeting any person in the
::i;re OF discussion. Within the range of
occupation, know Of no gentleman whose
Ans are entitled to higher consideration. |
i? this much with cordlality, and as matter
.lstice to Mr. Staples. lie may not be a.
i:=nsiyely known throughout the State as the
::aeman whose name is in opposition to him,
: shotn ! do not mean to say anything in
@Iga.on-whose claims to public merit |
.: never investigated. His faults are
.:;sn; his virtues and his faults no doubt,
EQUALLY well known to every member here.
10 tine claims Of Mr.. Staples privately and
:....c! y no one can say anything against them.
rs, that | may be permitted 20 say to
.es kcre ho may not have the pleasure Of
acguaintaoce, that he will discharge the
:ss ii tnc cfice TO which his friends pro-
* 70 elect him, with honor to himself and
u; 10 the State.
;ras,, therefore, it will be the pleasure Of
:: :Cynven:ion TO confer this cffice upon him.
" VIZ 3. ASTON, of Russell and Wisc.-As
>sa.uer flcm the South west, rise 10 en-
,N The nomination OF Mr.. Staples.
:.e Is young gentleman OF tne talents,
I. fully endorse all that bas been said COLI
S':Ing him.
Ar CgclL.-Wi,h the consent Of the gen.
1san from Culpeper. (Mr. BARncUR,) |
'"adraw the lame Of Governor Floyd, and
III nomination Walter Preston, Of Ating-
-
NJ. DokMAS-I trust my friend will with.
AZ that nomination. ] had The pleasure of
= acquaintance with Mr. Preston scme years
= and know Nr. Staples personally. will
,:31rt the latter cheerfully but must con.
''nat the nomination of Mr.. Preston places
.;'na position Of great embarrassment. |
'Fid. under other circumstances, tuke pleas.
ia voting for him; and trast ;hat tic gen.
nan viii not press his nomination, especially
''ere seems out little prospect of his elec.
,.AF. STUART. Of Augusta.-1 would inquire
.:fhcr Mr.. Pres.on's health would enable
= 10 serve | know he is in feeble health.
,N! CEciL--I Withdraw the nomination of
j.: Preston.
~ B9s>T.--I re nominate him.
,..nf CANPDELL, Of Washington county
h. G.'I oi laese gentleman are known to me.
., d. preston have known all my life, and
,,.s ,..' ''ie Tor him chcerfully if / supposed
ill.,. I..s vas any chance Of his election. AS
's ss'las no chance Of that result shall