Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-31
Letter from Richmond.

Correspondence vi Tic NlcAdiiulla N"EI'l|'
RICHMOND, August 3O.--Thc Convention Of
the Conservative party Of the State met to-day
in Assembly Hall" where the thermometer
must have indicated l0u'-tor hotter place 1t
would be difficult to imagine, above ground
but the delegates seemed TO bear 1t rs though
they had been accustomed to warm places
Ex-Gov Montague WAS chosen temporary
chairman aud made Il speech IN which nc
dwet at some length, upon union OF Ehtt
Conservatives, apparently drawing line OF
distinction between the races, which gave rise
TO some comment, us furnishing matter tor
Radical miscoustructon but this was at once
dispeed by the admission, with great unanln-
ity and amidst applause. Of a delegation q! col
ored Conservatives.
Thomas s. Bocock was chosrn permanent
President, the contest ior that position before
the committee, being between MeSSr>. Rccock,
J. B. Baldwin and r. IT, Daniel.
MIR. Bocock, upon taking the char dellveed
AL address characterized by Judgment, ability
and due appreciation OF the time and oc:a
sion He urged the absolute necessity nt unl-
~ and harmony, and held up with effect, the
condition Of South Carolina, in which State
Radicalism holds full sway, as warning to
Virginia should her people fail to retain con;
troll of the affairs Of their State lie urged
| obedience to all the laws, however obnoxious,
feeling SIRE that the time must come sooner
or later when justice will prevail and the
South once more regain her rights.
The harmony that distinguished the opening
Of the Convention, was somewhat disturbed
this evening by the withdrawal OF tien. }. A.
Early, who in his speech reSignlng position
upon the Business committee. said that 1t was
evident he was behind the times and that
while he Intended to act with the Conservative
party he had seen that the Convention was not
the place for him. 1t is supposed; though he
did not say So that the admission OF the col,
ored delegation was distaSeful to him. When
he arose, the General was warmly opplauded,
but when he retired, some one made motion.
TO give him three cheers, which Was not re.
Spondcd to- and there We're Kisses which caused
some feeling. Gov. Smith came to the res
cue" covered the retreat of his old comrade,
denied his right to desert his colors in the
face of the enemy and on his motion the re-
signatiou was not accepted. This difficulty,
which caused 4 good deal of excitement, having
been obriated, another, and equally as serious
one. concluded the days proceedings. This
last Was uution to invite Gov. Walker to the
Convention. which was objected to by several,
on the ground that the Governor could come
without an invitation. aS amy other citizen
Of Virginia and would be properly welcomed. On
tn. other hand, it was considered that 4 retuSa!
. to adopt the resolution would be considered 4
disreSpcct, and the excitement ran high. and
was only abatcd ty the peremptory announce
nnnt of the President, Il Vote having been til
ken that the question was tabled In this not
very auIiable mood. the Convention adjourned
until Thursday morning, by which time 1t WAS
hoped that I'LL feeling would have been alayett
and that the sober second thong Int would pre-
vail. All depends upon the report Of
the committee. which, fiudicious, will harmo-
nize everything and there will be a happy and
harmonious termination to what seemed to b.
rather Il iscordant element After dinner con-
veutiunS are rather dangerous bodies: and that
is the generally expressed opinion tonight To-
morrow all will doubtless be placid and things
move on harmonious Y. There is an evident iu-
disposition to NEEDLE in Federal politics, or to
bring in side issues. but much anxiety is ex-
pressed, especially among aspirants for honors,
ia reference to the position of those who come
under the operation of the XIV Amendment,
whether they are eligible to the Legislature and
AL effort will be made to have an experiment.
The cacmthc~ !o4ucndi is beginning to exhibit
itself. FAIRFAX.