Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-08-21
SPECIAL RALEIGH CORRESPONDENCE
The Convention and Its Proceedings-The
Delegates within and without the Hall.

ablaze with enthusiasm, and that too, of
the right kind.
Our Wilmington delegation met with the
most fattering and gratifying reception
along the whole route. The journey was,
as it were, one complete and continued ova-
ton On our arrival in this city we were
handsomely met and as handsomely well
coined. The reputation OF the City of
Oaks" for hospitality has gained fresh
laurels in our estimation.
The Convention was appointed to meet
at 10 O'Clock. Before this hour, under the
kind escort of friend, your humble SER
want was privileged in examining Tucker
Hall in which the sessions of the body
were to be held Its commodious interior
presented an inviting aspect, and as we
entered and gazed upon the stage and gal
leries upon either side, admiration was in
stantly and most forcibly appealed to. 1t
need not have been told that the fair ladies
of Raleigh had been at work here. The
tasteful decorations with which the Hall
was ornamented and beautifed at once
bore mute testimony to the handiwork of
that fairer portion of creation, which man
retained as his last and only blessing when
driven forth wanderer and an outcast
from Eden's peaceful groves.
Before the appointed hour the Hall was
thronged with delegates; but still they
came and in they poured until there was
room for no moro, and hundreds were COM
PEELED to remain outside. These unfortu.
mates soon, however, solicited speakers,
and at their request Col. W. A. Jenkins,
of Warren, was dispatched to entertain
them. Ere the Convention had fully Or
ganized for business he was gratifying
those without with spirited address from
the old Court House steps.
| The Convention was called to order by
Gov. Bragg, who nominated for Temporal
ry Chairman, Col. Joseph j. Davis, of
Franklin. Majs. Seaton Gales, of the Raj
eigh Sentinel, and Jos. A. Engelhard, of the
Wilmington Journal, were appointed Sc
cretaries.
The call of delegates resulted in the an
nouncement that seventyone counties of
glorious old North Carolina were repre-
sented here in solemn council for the good
of the country and the preservation of the
honor Of our dear old mother State and
the liberties of her citizens, and to enter q
solemn protest against the infringement of
their privileges and the restriction of their
rights as freemen.
New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia
were also represented here, and the
gentlemen cordially invited to seats
vitation, the gentleman from Pennsylvania
remarked that in his own city, Philadel-
phia, the Democrats intended to roll up
25, 900 majority for Seymour and Blair.
| A committee on permanent organization,
consisting of one delegate from each Con-
| gressional District was appointed, and
while in consultation the Convention was
addressed by Josiah Turner, Jr, of Orange
who poked the very old Harry to the car
pet-baggers and scaiawags and their cor
rupt, disgraceful faction.
New Hanover was honored by the choice
of one of her peerless sons for Perma-
nent President of the Convention. The
committee reported in favor of our gallant
and talented townsman, Col. r. q. Cow
an, for that position. It is needless to
say that he was elected unanimously. The
organization was completed by the follow
ing selection of Vice Presidents, agreeable
to the recommendation of the committee
Messrs. F. B. Satterthwaite, of Beaufort;
John D. Whitford. of Craven A. d. Nc
Lean, of Harnett; H. G. Williams of Nash
A. M. Scales, of Rockingham David
Schenck, of Lincoln i; r. M. Stokes, of
Buncombe.
Standardization Gales, of Wake; j.
A. Engelhard, of New Hanover; William
Biggs, of Edgecombe; Jordan Stone, of
Halifax; Robert Furman, of Granville; r.
A. Shotwell, of Rutherford; W. A. Hearne,
of Wilson.
Upon taking his seat the President,
Col. Cowan, perfectly electrified the whole
assembly with one of his forcible, eloquent,
impressive efforts, delivered with all the
grace and dignity of an orator both by ma
ture and cultivation.
Mr.. Robbins, the gallant Conservative
Senator from Rowan, was present, and by
one of those enthusiastic requests, uttered
ct once from thousands of Threats, came
forward and favored the assembly with a
J manly and able speech. It was not only a
declaration and enunciation of principle,
but it was a noble, courageous defence of
our rights /; solemn warning to Radical
tyranny to forbear, and demand to cease,
their infamous schemes for the subversion
of our State and government. It was also
an effective appeal to our people to put
down all such usurpation of power at the
ballot box.
During the morning session Gov. Ora
ham, the old, the firm, the tried and the
true statesman, also spoke. His effort was
one of those logical, forcible, argumenta-
tive, reasoning speeches which carry con-
viction and render refutation impossible.
During the afternoon session Hon. Asa
Biggs, of Edgecombe, and Jas. @. Dobbin,
of Cumberland, addressed the Convention.
While disclaiming any intention of an in
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so many able, fine addresses, particular
notice is due the effort of the young gen
tleman last named. Graceful. beautiful,
forcible and eloquent-it merits all of these
speculation. Cumberland may we'll be
. proud of her son, and he of his delega-
ton.
Hon. James W. Osborne, OF Mecklen.
burg. and Col. Jos. J. Davis, of Franklin,
as has been previously telegraphed, were
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