The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-30
VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN, CONVENTION.
Gathering Of the Republican Clans at Lynch
burg To-Day-The Nominations Proposed
and Expected for Governor and Other
State 0fdces-The Conservatives
Raising Again the Danger.
Gus Issue of White
Versus Black.

| RICHMOND, July ~, 1873
Within the past few weeks have been over this
entire State, from the Tennessee line in the west
TO the seaboard in the east and from the Potomac
to the North Carolina border. and, having con.
versed with all classes OF the people, am now able
to give an opinion to the result OF the approach
| ing Conventions, far as the nominations are
concerned. The Republican Convention will be
held at Lynchburg on the 30th inst, the Conserva-
tive Convention at this city on the 9th Of August
next. About the nominations to be made by the
former there never has been much doubt, and
since the MOsby WseLyons 1ascO fell so stubborn
there Is now almost nOne at least for the head OF
the ticket. All indications point to the nomina-
ton on the first ballot, by as much as three
fourths vote, OF Colonel Robert w. Hughes, OF
Abingdon,
FOR THE PLACE OF GOVERNOR.
The movements against him, Ill and outside OF
his own party have been confined to lew factiOus
individuals here and there in the State but the
voters have all and always looked to him as their
leader In the canvass. The opposition to Hughes
whose only aim appears TO be his defeat without
regard to the interests OF the party have centred
upon Major Edward Mcmahon, selI-made Irish
man of wealth. said to be distant relative Of Mar
shall Mcmahon, President OF the French Republic
and resident OF Staunton. in this State. Mcmahon
is republican of liberal conservative tendencies,
event of his election. just as acceptable as Hughes
but have 1t from his own lips that he will not
allow his name to be used in opposition to Hughes
and at all if it does not become necessity TO
preserve the harmony of the party. With this
surance the nomination of Hughes becomes
tainty. There Is almost as little doubt that Mr..
Lunsford L. Lewis. of Cupepper county, Will be
nominated as the republican candidate for
ATTORNEY GENERAL
OF the State. The question, Who will be named for
Lieutenant Governor cannot now be readily
answered. Mr.. p. Ramsdell. member Of the
last Legislature, a Northern man of character and
talent, settled in Surry county, is spoken Of very
strongly, and has the support OF Congressman
James Fl. Patt. The names OF Dr. Jonathan b.
Stovall, Of HALIFAX county, former State Treas
urer; X. A. ClaybrOOk, of Westmorelapd, and
Major Richard Ii. Carter or Fauquier, all estima-
BILE politicians OF the old stock, are also mentioned
in this connection. Probably stronger man with
his own party than any Of those mentioned is Mr..
James II. Clements, OF portsmouth, who has a large
acquaintance and influence with the republican
voters and will nave in the Convention. IL Is hard
to say who will be nominated for this, the second
| place on the ticket, but the contest will be q
balloting. Looking over the conservative field
however, there is less to warrant any certainty OF
conviction as to the nominees on the 9Th OF
which have been brought forward on that
| side for the nomination OF Governor,
lies really between Colonel Robert E. WIthers, of
Lynchburg, and General James L. Kemper, Of Madl-
son county. There Is very brisk firing going on all
| along the lines between the supporters OF these
two competitors in the county meetings which
are now being held TO appoint delegates to the
| State Convention. Both gentlemen were Con-
| federate soldiers, with perhaps good field
records as any other two men IN the South so that
advantage of political claims the party, which
Kemper has not having twice been nominated for
state at large on the Greeley ticket. So far the
odds seem to be decidedly In favor OF Kemper. but
IN e y the to be S e% THIS
vantage ground Will be changed and he
win be the gabernatorial nominee; The result
nomination the Convention will adopt. II a
majority vote be allowed TO determine the nomina-
ton then Kemper or Withers will, one or the other,
get 1t on the first ballot. IT. however, two-thirds
be required, the probability is that neither OF
them will be nominated, and r. NJ. L. Hunter, of
Essex, up the next iavorlte; but it is i'm
possible to say who will be the choice or the Con-
ventlon-pernaps some man whose name has not
| yet been mentioned.
THE RAILROAD KINGS
seem to be taking hand in this preliminary State
contest. General Malone and the Wig are moving
heaven and earth for Kemper and Tom Scouts
friends and the enquirer are moving earth and
very lively time the 9th of August here over this
| same nomination. The candidates for the conser-
| vative nomination for Attorney General and Lieu
tenant Governor are so numerous That prediction
OF the result would be beyond all possibility The
contest In the State Will be active and the result
close No previous election Will afford any criterion
OF the voting IN this. The conservatives have, very
foolishly, think, opened the campaign on the
negro question, taking extreme grounds and en-
| deavoring to force fight between whites and
blacks. purely on the ground, OF race and color
which is not in unison with the prevailing senti-
ment OF the country, which is in lavor OF political
liberation anu harmony. The latent feeling of the
tional government, and in favor OF sectional peace
ana good feeling. is now very strong in Virginia,
md ink WI kn
voters than there ever were before in the State.
Old party lines Will not be so strictly preserved in
from party trammeIs. and who will vote wild of
| their former political discipline. Each party Is
U did u he
| they did Il in 1872. Will not attempt to predict
the result, but as matters look now, and with
Hughes to head the republican ticket, the cOnser
vatlves will have to ''stir their stumps" to hold
the reins OF government in the State.
THE REAL ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN
Is the fight for the honors and emoluments OF the
state Offices and patronage. The minor issues will
be defined by both parties In their conventions.
The republicans will insist on the same old plank
OF the civil and political equality of the negroes as
announced by the leaders and apostles OF the
ally exercise here) TO sit all juries Tor the trial
OF criminals and civil cases in which either race is
| concerned; the abolition OF the whippng-pOst,
| relic OF barbarsm yet manta in Virginia and
extensively brought INTO requsition by the present
SsaLe JUDICIARY, atnough contrary 70 the letter and
| OF party expediency. Both parties are agreed as
to all questions OF the internal-Improvement policy
OF the state both being in favor OF the building Of
! the James River and Kanawha Canal by the ma
tional government, and the general sentiment
being III favor OF free system OF railroads, though
to the latter there is fostered opposition by GER
tain monopolists The campaign will be hot and
decidedly interesting. As Virginia goes goes the
South.
While believe, as it has been represented to me-
That there are great many good and true Vir-
ginians who Will be induced to support respect
able republican ticket-such q one as the party
seems determined to nominate-yet do not think
that such recalcltrant democrats as Wise, MOsby,
Lynes, the Earlys, Ewell and q large number OF
others that could mention, will vote Tor that
ticket. Probably this class won't vote at ALL but
II they do they can be better counted upon for the
the same state OF afYairs visits in tho republican
ranks among the factionists opposed to the noml-
nation OF Hughes. II they do not succeed In de-
feating his nomination they will endeavor to have