Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-12
Col. Robert r. WilherS.

When the Convention re-asscmblcd all hearts
turned to the gallant Wthers, who had been
defeated the night before, and soon it was de-
tcrmiued TO prove to him the high con<idera-
ton in which he was held by all present. Up
on motion made, he was By acclamatlon noml-
mated for Licutcnant-G ovcrnor, and by com
mit,ce informed of the fact.
All who knew Robert +. Withers, knew that
he would be diSlnclined to accept the second
position when be had been an aSplrant Tor the
first. But nc came to the Convention escorted
by the Committee, and was received amidst
cheers such as are seldom awarded to any man.
Amidst these hearty evidences OF popular al
lection, he made his way to the stage, where
ton, and introduced to the people but just as
he was about TO speak, that venerable aud
wholeSoucd patriot, COL Flouruoy, anticipated
him with stirriug appeal to him to dismiss all
constituencies personal prlde-and yield to
a sense of public duty. accepting the position
rendered him by the unanimous voice OF the
Convention. He assured him that with Kemp
er and Withers on the ticket the Conservatives
would sweep the State by an unprecedented
majority and assumed that Col! Withers owed
it to bisStatc to stand up tor her as he had stood
ia the late struggle, sacrificing his own feelings
for the public good.
Col. Withcrs stood in the presence of the
vast and intelligent aSSemblage surrounded by
the most distinguished men of the State. tie
stood erect and firm, and heard the thrilling
appeal. lie responded in clear, deliberate sen
tcnces acknowledging the extraordinary coul-
phmcnt that had been paid hiu, but declared
that his selt:rcspcct and pride bad led hun TO
decline positively to accept the honor until be
bad reached the stand and listened to the APP,
pauSe of his friends and TO the eloquent appeal
Of the esteemed and distinguished gentleman
from Danvie. Then it was, he confessed, that
his own feelings gave way, and he surrendered:
He would accept the honor rendered him, and
would devote all the power and lut1uence ne
possessed to the service OF the State aud to as
sis in crushing the dangerous and destructive
Radical party.
The sccue filled every heart with the most
generous emotions, and many manly eyes were
nos,ened with tears sprlDglng from the best
sentiments of our nature
The outburst was apparently Involuntary. BE.
ginning IN Il little ripple 1t soon grew into big
wave that spread over the whole body, aud
events unanticipated wrought out their own ac-
compllshmcnt.
Under the influence of the feeling Of the mo-
ment, General James \. Walker, Of Pulaski,
W HO uou uCCu IoItC PiotniuSbo 40 az a"pit"o'
to the position of Lcutenant-Governor, with
drew his name in favor Of Colonel Withers, for
whom he avowcd the warmcst affection and
highest respect. The act was truely maguanl-
nous and Cen Early Immediately bore te$tl-
mony to the CALAMITY military skill, and high
social merits OF Gen. Walker, whose conduct in
the Convention had been so characteristic OF
his noble disposition.
The occurrence was one of the most remark
ablc We have ever witnessed 10 political con
vcutious during an experience of some fifty
years. 1t had the happc<t effect upon all pre-
sent, and is good for large increase of the
Conservative majority at the election. Colonel
WithcrS honorcd himsclfin obeying the call of
the Convention, and that body reflected honor
upon itself in generously recognizing the high
claims of Robert +. Withers upon his native
State and the high consideration to which he is
elevated in every mind that appreciates valor,
patriotism, aud virtue. -Ricltmond Dispatch