Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-17
CONSERVATIVE CONVENTION.

devise measures necessary to preserve the dlg-
nifty, peace, and prosperity of the State at this
period of apprehension and peril, assembled IN
the Theatre in Richmond, Dec. IL, at ii O clock.
| The original call for this meeting was issued by
| the Executive Committee of the Conservative
| Party of Richmond The demand for such a
convention free conference of the Com
monweath-under the public exigency, was so
apparent that the Richmond Committee very
properly took the initiative, and their call met
universal approval and concurrence throughout
| the State The result was exhibited In the
grand assemblage.
We have not in our day beheld such body
of the representative men of the State. 1t
embraces the first talent and weight of character
of the people, Its numbers we're large, and its
| dignity remarkable. The peril of the day add
| ed force to the august character of the assem-
| bly,. The earnestness and the manly and de-
| termined expression Of every face gave the fit
| ing appearance of an earnest body of men, loyal
and true to their grand allegiance to their coun
| try and their Cod
The list of delegates includes some Of the
greatest men of the State, some of whom Tin
advanced age) speak to us as ambassadors from
the heroic and virtuous age which achieved the
independence of the United States, and gave to
them the noble institutions that have conferred
so much security, prosperity, and fame upon
the nation-institution which, rightly and
honestly administered, would have perpetually
secured these great objects and ends of society
The sage counsels Of these venerable citizens it
is the good fortune of the Convention to pos
SeSS.
The contemplation of such body of men
taking counsel amongst themselves as to how to
save the State from the worst Of evils was most
cheering to all who had the good fortune to be
present. Its action must be salutary and effect
i've.
THE ORGANIZATION.
At ii o'clock the Convention was called to
order by the Hon. Willoughby Newton, who
Thomas j. Randolph, of Albemarle 1.-THE grand
son of Thomas Jefferson, the author Of the
Declaration of Independence and the Bill OF
Rights of Virginia..
The nomination was unanimously carried, and
Mr.. r. L. Daniel, of Richmond, at the request
of Mr.. Newton, conducted Mr.. Randolph to the
chair upon assuming which he thus addressed
the Convention:
Gentlemen of the Convention, -Some forty
or fifty years ago good many young men had
assembled, and proceeded to organize conven-
tion and looking over the list of names propos-
ed for the various officers of it, they found one
old gentleman, and as he was tit for nothing
else, they determined to make him temporary
i
consideration. Laughter.
Gentlemen, when the election for the social
ed Convention, or whatever it Isl which is now
sitting in the capitol Of this State took place,
the fact was made known of a perfect organlza-
ton and entire array of race against race, and
that the negroes, under the guidance of few
renegades, had ranged themselves against the
white people of the State Applause. This
fact brought to the mind Of every man in the
community, in the course OF four and twenty
hours, sense of danger, and the necessity which
existed for the organization amongst the white
men of White Man S party. Applause 1t
assembling of this Convention was with view
to this end /; and there never has been a period
in the history of this country, when, as the
Frenchman said, "a great talent for silence,
was so eminently required as at this time and
ia this Convention. Applause. When Gen
eral Lee surrendered, the people of Virginia
submitted absolutely, Internationally unreserv-
edly, and in good faith, to the authority Of the
United States Government. Whatever opinions
had been previously entertained upon the
doctrine Of secession were at once abandoned as
impracticable The people Of Virginia have
fully, unreservedly, persistently, and most faith
authority of the United States They have not
forfeited that ancient sobriquet of Virginia
which in the s'early days she acquired, Of
Law abiding Virginia. y
Gentlemen we are not to think of the idea,
nor is it to be for moment entertained, that
this perfect and absolute submission to the au-
thority of the United States will argue in us any
lessened love of liberty and deviation from the
path of honor-that, gentlemen, in the heart of
Virginians is impossible. The old grandame,
with her little musings grouped around her,
recounting to them the deeds, and virtues, and
fame, of their ancestor; the mother, with her
modest daughter, inspiring love of liberty;
the father and son aspiring to the fame OF their
ancestors perfect love of liberty and the
duties of truth and courage. Applause. Ma
| tional liberty should be forever dear to every
southern heart. It was imperishable on the
field of battle among our perishing patriots-it
has been indestructible amid the confagration
of the cities, towns, and dwellings of our coun-
try.
We may look Toward, gentlemen, with full
faith In the assurance of a day OF relief APP
| plause | thank you, gentlemen, for the honor
you have done me.
On motion of Mr.. T. Turner, the proceedings
were opened with prayer by the Rev. DIR. Hoge.
who invoked the throne Of Divine Grace, in
| language both feeling and appropriate, to guide
| the counsels of the Convention to the best re-
suits for the good of society and the State.
| On motion of Mr.. Christian, of Augusta, the
editors of the Wing, Enquirer, and Dispatch,
were appointed temporary secretaries OF the
! Convention.
On motion of Christian, the rules ofthe House
of Delegates were adopted for the government
of the Convention.
! On motion of Mr.. a. Turner, committee Of
thirteen was appointed by the Chair to recon-
mend officers for the permanent organization Of
the Convention, consisting of the following
gentlemen: T. Turner, of Rappahannock
| Bolivar Christian, of Augusta; w. R. Staples
of Montgomery O. r. Funston. Of Clarke E.
c.. Burks, of Bedford VIM. Martin, of Henry
A. D. Dickinson, of Prince Edward; Robert
Whitehead, of Nelson; Raleigh I. Daniel Of
Richmond /; r. FL. Coleman, of Caroline John
Goode, of Norfolk James M. Wilcox, Of
Charles City and M. R. Garnett, Of Essex.
The committee retired, and the calling Of
the roll was commenced by the Secretaries but
was interrupted by the temperance of the com
mittee, who reported the following nominations
for permanent officers, which were approved by
acclamatlon-vlz:
For President A. Ell. Ell. Stuart, of Augusta
| For Vice Presidents r. M. r. Hunter, Of
Essex Sam'l Mcdowell Moore, of Rockbridge
Robert T. Preston, of Montgomery Thomas s.
Flournoy, of Halifax; James l.. kemper, Of
Madison; G. w. Newton, of Norfolk; William
| Ell. mcfarland, of Richmond James A. Walk.
er, of Pulaski; John Randolph Tucker, Of
| Loudoun; r. w. Hunter, of Winchester; and
Wood BouldiD, of Charlotte.
For Secretaries Ell. K. Ellyson, OF the lbs.
IN r. Al oy,U