Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-05-19
The Conservative Ticket.

Though the gentlemen put forward by tn
late Convention as the standard bearers of tn
Conservative party in the coming struggle mus
be known by reputation to all of our readers,
brief personal allusion may not be without in
| terest
Colonel R. E. Withers, of Lynchburg, tn
nominee for the first Office, has been since th
termination of hostilities the confessedly abb
editor of the Lynchburg Neaos, and has directed
the influence of that journal persistently to tn,
support Of the Conservative cause. 1t is re
| garded by some persons as recommendation
that he is new to public life, and will have tt
encounter none of the prejudices and partisan
| objections-curses which better day has left
as worthless legacy to this-which might have
| retarded the success of a man more prominent
ly known in connection with Virginia's past. =
There was difference of opinion upon this
point, many of the delegates thinking that the
wide reputation and practiced abilities of some
such tried statesmen as John B. Baldwin, A.
ii. II. Stuart, or Thomas S. Flournoy, might
arouse an enthusiasm and develop vote against
the Constitution which could not be otherwise
obtained But the objection was raised to
these gentlemen, and others of the class, that
they were ineligible under the Howard amend
ment; majority of the Convention decided in
favor of this view.
Colonel Withers, though prominent officer
In the Virginia troops, is not thus disqualified.
General James Walker. of Pulaski, the nom-
lnee tor Lieutenant Governor, is a gentleman
OF hne powers and tried devotion to the State
HIS influence in the Southwest and Valley dis
trcts is universal and he could have com>
manded large vote upon the floor of the Con
ventlon for the gubernatorial nomination had
not his name been Withdrawn with harmonizng
motives General Walker was the commander,
during critical period of its history, of the
Stonewall Brigade" and while thus known to
and identified with large and controlling ee-
ment CT Virglnias voting population, does not
come within the prohibition Of the congression-
al enactments
Next on the list is Mr. John L. Marye, Jr.,
OF Fredericksburg, man than whom there is
none In the State better qualified to represent
at once the honor the political principles, and
every leading interest of his feIlow-citizens. -
lmbued to the core with candor, thoroughly
cultivated, having proved his attachment to
eeloquence Of speech, a cogency of argument a
force of delivery, a magnetic earnestness of
manner. which place him in the front rank of
the orators OF the Commonwealth His yeo-
man service in the Constitutional Convention
stamped him as a champion worthy of the cause
ne upheld, and We predict that the standard Of
Conservatism will gather supporters wherever
this chlvaroas gentleman untilrls it's shining
folds. Would that the State had more such
defenders in her SERVICE r3
The list of nominations closes with the name
of Colonel Marmaduke johnson, of Richmond,
who is selected as candidate for Congress at
large. Another most admirable selection. 1t
is not necessary for us to allude lengthily to his
fitness or to the gifts Of mind and speech
which will make Colonel johnson so efficient a
canvasser against the Constitution He is we'll
known in this section, and has more claims
than one upon the people of Petersburg Pc
teysburg Inder,