The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-09
THE CONSERVATIVE STATE
CONVENTION.
NOMINATIONS FOR GOVERNOR,
LIEUTENANT-GOvERNOR sc.
SPEECHES OF THE NOMINEES.

The Convention was called to order at 1C
O'clock yesterday morning.
Mr.. Basil BraWner, of Prince William,
moved to postpone the balloting for Cover.
nor, in order that he might introduce q re.
solution. sS > ,'t@ ."t
The Convention refused to postpone.
The following additional delegates took
their seats William e. White, Of Norfolk
county !; R. Z. 7. Beale, of Westmoreland
John G.. Mason, of King George +; r. A,
Bright, Of James City. ~ go
Mr.. James S, Keeler, spoke in favor Of
the nomination Of James Walker, Of Pu-
laski.
Mr.W. V. Jordan, of Bedford ,withdrewthe
nomination of General Thomas D. Munford,
of Bedford, and advocated the claims OF
Mr.. Stuart. He thought it important to
have o western or southwestern man.
Mr.. Daniel spoke in favor of Mr.. John
B. Baldwin, as did also Mr.. Menefee.
Mr.. Martin withdrew the nomination of
| Hon. A. n. H. Stuart.
Mr.. John r. Edmunds spoke in favor of
respecting the disqualifcatious of the How
ard amendment in the selection of candi-
dates, although ~disregarding the test-oath
contained in the Constitution.
Mr.. McMullen followed him on the same
side, and withdrew the nomination of Mr..
Wyndham Robertson. He urged the claims
of Colonel Withers.
Major Sutherlin also spoke in favor of
Colonel Withers.
Mr.. Daniel spoke against regarding the
qualifications contained in this Constitution
or the reconstruction acts in the selection of
candidates, and favored Mr.. Baldwin for
the candidacy. ,ttg1g
Mr.. Baldwin then arose and said:
Mr.. .President,-I am well aware that Iappear
before this Convention under very embarrassing
and difficult circumstances. I should be more or
less than a man If could be insensible to the mani
received SO frequently. not only here, but on many
occasions In my past life. from my friends and
f fsn0SiT sensiSle In of yi tSa Kindness ! aln fbi iRds sss b Rs9,
manifested towards ME but as my friends become
more and more kind and c%onflding In me, 1 feel the
duty of dealing with them fairly and honestly in
crease until IL becomes absolutely imperative. 1
feel myself under obligations to return for this
Kindness and confidence. perfect candor and
When l was brought to the notice of this Conven-
tionGlast night stated ut the first opportunity that
was earnestly and honestly convinced that / was
not the proper person for this nomination. / said
then what, upon more careful and calm consideIa-
ton, I am satisfied was true and correct, that 1 am
not the man: There;is no position IN this Com
that / would regard as a higher honor or a more
a~attering testimonial of regard than the nomina-
ton OF this Convention. None whatever. And
to assure my friends that nothing Of disincli-
nation for the labor, or the time, or The sacrifices
that might be necessary in the: campaign, mingles
In this conclusion to which l have arrived. / am
willing to do and to suffer anything or everything
in such q cause and ut such a crisis. [Applausc.
But am persuaded into absolute COMPLETION hat1
SO to,say to this body. In conveying to you the
reasons which have induced this conviction on my
part, 1 hope the Convention will indulge me while
Whatever Of favor ] may have gained from the
people of Virginia I think is founded to some ex-
tent upon some REGULARITY of character, temper,
me friends, do occasionally leave behind me enc
mics. l have been ever conscious that at every
greatly indebted to the kindness and for
%bearance of friends, who, have overlooked
faults and mistakes in my public career In
the confidence that I meant to do whatwas honest
and right. I have received this marked forbear-
ance and high confidence from friends; but If am
put up as the standard-bearer of the CONSERVATIVE
party Of Virginia Icould not expect such courtesy
from our opponents and every fault and every mis-
take of my pastcourse would be brought forward,
notsagainst me as IN individual, but against the
party which put me in nomination, and would fur
nish a means of d~iverting the attention Of the
people from the ~enormities and y~illainies of the
didate. I have never carefully preserved my re-
cord, but / feel convinced ofthe plain fact that
there may be that IL. in it which, though my friends
again, I don't believe ! am the man: My frieads
from Halifax tMr. Edmundsl aud from Fit
ssrseddha the views sasD with which, hafe 1 "9 Came pro to
this Convention. I don't think that we ought to
recognize : as these gentlemen seI 1nneen say, the idea e C OF : sI 6
the exigencies which might arise :requfres-the
selection of men who will be ready for. any turn
WITH wiz and dA nnsc ml foe. Whatever r' we
cand do without Q sacrifice Of principle, that we are
bound to do in this emergency: Now, II there is a
persons, one who is eligible under the c~onstitu-
tional amendment, and the other Is not-both true
to fes their ei nyimsi51e an aSis. see T +; r. k Rog1a Of he no = s sssrt-
selection Of a man who could take the iron-clad
there. But as between two gent,smen, alike true
yirginians, who are with us in sentiment, feeling,
opinions. and action-between two such PERSONS,
one of whom is disfranchised under the .%constitu-
I I cam see noeiine Which divides them. It is a mere
principle in any shape that / can See. Now, take
this case: ] am DISTINGUISHED. For what? Not
b~ecsuseI ZELDA position referred to by my asso-
federate Congress not because 1 commanded q re-
gtment in the Confederate States army; but be-
cause, some twenty-0dd years ago, / was an alder
is the ground OF my Northumberland I could
point to men in Virginia !; who are not dis ad assals
who nave c0mmlteQ Dlgner GRIMES anu OuenceS
than that of being an alderman Of the town.of
Take, for instance, my friend Colo
mel Wtthers, who has. ! think, committed several
larger offences than that; and General Walker
also yet both these gentlemen, earnest as they
are, determined us they are, to make resistance
70 any infringement upon thekpeace and honor. of
the State, it SO happens have not fallen within the
Of any. amendment to the Constitu-
10 principle which divides or .discriminates be-
them and me; but do see expectancy In
,lllh a discrimination. In Georgia, where's gentle
IAa came forward who was obnoxious 70 the How
Az amendment General Meade-who, I suppose, !
no less respectable than General. sehodeid-at
once announced that he should not run. Why not ?
Because hecauld not held. otacet u elected. and no
votes cast for him would.be counted. What was
The reeultP He had tosWiaildrawf from the CANVASS
came forward Gstcral Gordon-5a man who
sAa been most conspicuous In thu. Confederate
seryice-a young oficer who had rendered gallant
md Distinguished services iii the war; BE came,
aud WIS subjected to the same scrutiny, wasfound
no. TO fallrnder any constitutional amendment
Ind was allowed to run, and run he did. There ds 4
! precedent. supposed was nominated. accepted
Inc nomination OF the Convention, ana start.
snneaneed To- me that ! was not q proper
,olute Yankee soldier or officer notice that II |