Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-08-12
IN SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER
Secretaries James R Fisher, j. Bell Bigger

secretaries: James II f1Sner, y. Dell Bigger
and VIM L0venstein.
Sergeant at-Arms Col Crittenden, of
Culpeper, and Mr.. Benz I August of Richmond.
The report of the committee was adopted and
a committee of three was appointed to escort
MIR. Bocock to the chair.
REMARKS OF HON. THos. S. BoCoCK.
Mr.. Bocock in assuming the chair said the
honor conferred upon him was entirely unex-
pected, and, as his friends knew, entirely un-
solicited, indeed it was not desired, for he knew
that in enforcing the orders of a presiding Of
fcer in a body like this, one must almost neces-
sarly wound the feelings of some.
He knew, too, that however well presiding
officer discharged his duties there was but little
In his position to excite sympathy or apprecia-
ton. But coming to the place without soicita-
ton, he could but appreciate the compliment
and resolve to try SO to perform his duties as to
ensure to the Convention that decorum and or
der so necessary to give it moral weight and in
ffuence.
The business which the Convention had as
sembled to perform was of the mightiest i'm
portance. He desired to know if there was
anything In chains so sweet, or anything in de-
graduation SO captivating, that they would try
to drive the rlvets of one or seek to further the
other. The State, he said, had arrived at a
great and important epoch in its history. We
were approaching another great turn when the
people must decide who shall control the ad-
mlnlstratlon OF affairs for the next four years.
The decision of this question was in the hands
OF the Convention and it representing the worth
and intelligence of Virginia, he was sure would
deal with it In such manner as to be best pro.
motive OF the happiness and interests of the
State. The speaker then wildly contrasted the
condition of South Carolina-her treasury emp
ty, her credit annihilated, her fields barren,
her prlncey homes untenanted, or echoing to
the sound of strange voices, her citizens fleeing
to other States, and desolation and despair hang.
ing over her fair land-with the condition Of
Virginia Though we were in debt, and the
hand of the tax-gatherer bore heavily upon US
we could control our own affairs and manage
our own homes and look forward to a future
full of happiness and glory. In like manner
Mr.. Bocock eloquently depicted the miseries Of
Louisiana, torn by internal strife outraged by
Federal officials and military satraps, and hel
good and noble people subjected to the rule Of
carpet baggers and negroes
In closing, he begged the Convention to re-
member all the wrongs of our Southern sister
States and to keep In mind the tact that tht
Radical party there and here is the same, and
if we would escape like fate, we must keep anc
maintain the supremacy of the Conservative
party.
The President then announced the Conven
ton ready to proceed to business.
BUSINESS
Senator W. D. Quesenberry, of Caroline, Of
fered resolutions: 1st. That the President be
authorized to appoint committee oftwo mem
bers from each Congressional District, to which
shall be referred all propositions of business
character; and I'd, That the delegation from
each Senatorial district recommend to the com
mittee suitable persons for Senatorial canvas
sers. Adopted.
The President appointed the following com
mlttee OF business under the above:
James Barbour, of Culpeper, chairman.
l. Henry Bell, Of Matthews; j. Horace Lacy
of Spotsylyania.
2. G K Mallory, of Elizabeth City W Sim
mons, of Prince George.
3. John A Meredith, Of Richmond; w
Quesenberry. of Caroline.
4. e D Harris, of Mecklenburg; Edward
Drumgoole, Brunswick.
5. Thos S Flournoy of Danville; DR.. NJ A
Harris of Halifax.
6. G Hundley, of Buckingham John "
Daniel of Lynchburg.
7. John T Harris, of Rockingham ] C Hill
Of Albemarle.
8. John Y Menifee, of Rappahannock, and
the chairman.
9. Fayette McMullen, of Smythe: Jas N
French, of Bland
THE NOMINATIONS.
Col. G. S. Striugfellow. of Petersburg go
the floor, and after a rapid survey Of the poIit
ical situation, finely and forcibly put, and urg.
ing the necessity of having the strongest can
didate to lead the Conservative hosts to battle
nominated Gen. James Lawson Kemper, Of
Madison county, for Conservative candidate fol
Governor Of Virginia. Applause He Their
reviewed the condition of the South and paiC
high tribute to the valor and devotion of the
dead and surviving Confederate soldiers He
hoped to see the same spirit animating Virgin
ians in the approaching campaign. In the
presence Of the tremendous Issues now pend
ing. and sinking all sectional differences anc
personal preferences, Virginiaps must close III
shoulder to shoulder in defence of the honor
aye, the very existence Of the State And il
this crisis OF our fate, he knew no man whose
past record in war and peace gave better assn
rance of the best leader to marshal us to victo
ry than Gen. James L. Kemper. Applause.
Colonel Stringfellow's speech was very able ano
enchanted the attention of the vast audience
delegates. ladies and citizens generally who gill
ed the Theatre to its utmost capacity from pit
to the highest gallery.
DR.. Rives, of Prince George, warmly second
ed the nomination, and heartily eulog;zed Gen
eral Kemper as the right man for the occa.
sion.
General Fitzhugh Lee, Of stafford, nominated
Colonel Robert E Withers, of Wythe county
at which was considerable stamping and cheer
ing among the supporters of that gentleman
General Lee eloquently enforced his nomina
ton by awarding Colonel Withers high meec
Of praise as soldier and civilian.
DR.. S. FL. Mofett, of Rockingham, while ex
pressing his appreciation for Col. Withers, de.
clared that he and the delegates of large por.
ton of the mountain section from which he
came, were for General Kemper, as the people
they represent were, because they believe him
to be the strongest and most available man thai
can now be found to lead the Conservatives to
an assured victory.
Gen. Jubal A. Early, of Lynchburg, seconded
the nomination of Colonel Robert E. Withers,
He spoke in praise of Gen Kemper, as we'll as
of Col. Withers, and professed himself the
friend Of both; but he thong that Col. With.
ers was entitled to the nomination and was the
man who could organize victory for the Con
servatives aud defeat for the Radicals. The
General spoke long and we'll, and was frequent.
ly applauded.
Major R. w. Hunter, of Winchester, also
supported Colonel Withers, and made mos
remarks eliciting repeated tokens of approval.
Mr.. James Call Of Rockingham, spoke zeal.
ousIy and impressively in behalf Gen. Kemp
er, and testified to his knowledge of the accept.
liability IF that gentleman to the Valley.
Hon. r. l.. Montague, of Middlesex, spoke
warmly for Colonel Withcrs, claiming his NOM
ination as q debt due him bv the Conservative