The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-05-02
NORTH CAROLINA CONSERVATIVE
CONVENTION.
LARGE ATTENDANCE AND HARMONIOUS
SESSION.
Telling Speeches by Hon. Jes,n Kerr
and Ex-Governor Vance.
Judge Merriman Nominated for
f .=s Governor.

Carolina Democratic Conservative Conyen-
ton, the largest political convention eyer
held in the State, met here at noon, and was
; -es'led to orderGsby Hon. D. NJ. Barringer,
= - her,ominated Thomas Fuller, of Fayette:
vile, for temporary chairman. r.
MIR. Fuller, OH taking the chair, thanked
| the Convention for the honor conferred upon
him in appropriate remarks.
A committee on permanent organization
was appointed, and the Convention took u
recess until 3 O'Clock
Afternoon Session.
The Committee on Permanent Organiza-
| ton reported, recommending Hon. John
Kerr for president, with full list of vice
presidents and secretaries. Adopted.
Mr.. Kerr, on taking the chair, after thank
ing the Convention for the honor done him,
said that the crisis was one of transcendent
Importance. Our civil liberties are threaten
ed as civihliberties were never before threat
ened, and with despotism more CALLING than
was ever that of Poland or Ireland. Men in
power are seeking to enslaye the people,
whose servants they are. He said that
their endeavors had none of the glory Of
conquest; there was nothing noble or
dignified in their actions. Mr.. Kerr, who
was once arrested by Kirk and kept in
confinement for many weeks, was particularly
severe on Holden and his clique. He ham
died the nominees of the recent Radical
Convention without gloves, and paid special
attention to the present judiciary of the
State. He closed his remarks with an
earnest exhOrtation to all citizens of North
Carolina, the State which was the cradle of
civil liberty, to do all they could to put down
the party whose every aim was to keep her
in the dust. Once they had arisen and in
down. Let them again arise in their might
and place their nominees in office, and the
State would be redeemed. His remarks were
greeted throughout with applause.
AT the conclusion of his remarks Governor
Vance, in response to loud and repeated
calls, took the stand, and made one of the
finest speeches ever heard-full Of humor,
wit, pathos, and eloquence. 1t was deeply
interesting and to the point throughout. His
illustrations-drawn from nature, history,
and Sacred writ-were opposite and telling
In concluding, he said that for seven long
years he had deSmircd of the Republic; but
now, thank God, there is rift in the
clouds-a light which betOkens bet
ter days. Out Of this very party
which has so sorely oppressed us has
arisen material which would, he hoped, bring
lis relief; and he believed that in the Cincn-
natl Convention. now in session, there was
hope for this land. Should the nominees OF
that Convention be elected, the hand Of des-
potism will be taken from off the States, aud
they will once more stand forth free and in.
dependent in their individual capacity. Loud
and continued appkuse.]
. a committee was appointed to present O
platform of principles for this party.
A resolution sending cordial greetings to
the Convention at Cincinnati was referred to
the Committee OH Platform. s.#
The Convention then proceeded to the
! selection of Il candidate for Governor. The
, names of Judge A. S. Merriman, Hon. D. al
} Barringcr, and Hon. James NJ. Leach, were
l placed in nomination. A resolution scaling
the vote by counties according to the: re
! presentation in the House of Representatives
: was adopted and vote taken, as follows
d Merriman, 70; Leach, 26; Barringer, II.
On motion, the nomination Of Judge Mer
riman was made unanimous. The Conyen
o yention then adjourned to tomorrow.
II The sessions of the Convention are held IL
4 Morehead's warehouse, the only hall larg
Il enough to contain the immense crowd IN al
}. tendance. The hall is tastefully festoone
and decorated with flowers and evergreen'
% In rear of the Speakers stand hang wv
l. United States flags, united with the lnscrll
e ton d" II, Hoe Signo Tmces" worked
e eyergreens.
o Among the distinguished men OF the sta
V present notice Governor Vance, Gener
Ransom, Judge Kerr, Hons. j. NJ. Leach, >
I siah Turner, Jr., Generals Clingman, u.
= Hill, Scales, and others. Among the delegal
e present are several colored men. Only fe
V counties are unrepresented. ..g.
$ AS l write a tremendous crowd is liste
9 ing to speeches from prominent men of t
+ party. The. greatest enthusiasm prevail
e and perfect harmony seems to reign.
: Much-needed showers of rain have be
: falling at intervals since O'clock.
= BY Associated Press
: GREENsnoRo', n. c., May 1.-The Dem
: cratic Convention has nominated A. S. Biz
a riman for Governor.