Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-08-09
The State Conservative Convention.

yesterday afternoon. the delegates being all
seated. the chairman announced that COL VIM.
Lamb, Of Norfolk, had been selected as ten
porary Chairman. The appointment was COD.
6rmed by an overwhelming vote. aud Col.
| Lamb addressed the convention. lie spoke
without interruption for several moments, and
was launching forth n strong speech 10 favor
Of preserving the credit oil the Commonwealth,
wheo be was asked if that question was then
under discussion He replied that it was not
yet in order to orilicisc the speech of tile chair
man. lie then attempted to proceed in the
same strain in advocacy Of maintaining the
States honor, but the interruption became 50
frequent and the confusion 50 great that he was
forced to discontinue, and announced The chair
ready for business.
Resolutions were introduced for the appoint
ment Of o committee on credentials, permanent
organization and 90 resolutions. The first Two
resolutions were adopted amid much disorder,
panizatiOn was effected. Upon Il call Of dele.
cations by congressional districts 10 name mem
bers Of these committees another scene Of ur
bulence and disorder cnsued.
Several Of the districts being divided 10 their
choice, and it being evident that 20 settlement
could be arrived ut, they were a!Iowcl to retire
for consultation.
The interior Of the theatre up W this time
was perfect pandemonium, The body being
more like dlS0rganizod mob than Il conVen
ton. The most bitter antagOnsm prevailed
between friends of the candidates, particularly
80 between those of Gen. Mahoue and the anti
Mahoneites.
During the absence Of delegations who had
retired to heal their differences, Governor KEN
per being present by invitation, briefly al
dressed the convention, counschng such har
mopy 10 their deliberations Is would pcrpeiuate
the dignity, honor and glory Of Virginia.
Gov. kempcr said:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Coauen
ton Il an too well aware Of the great respon
sbillties and duties resting upon this body to
waste any of its valuable time in ccremonIous
speech. profoundly thank you for the cour
tesy and the honor l receive at your hands. /
congratulate you that while four years ago every
inch Of ground was holly contested By hostile
parties contonding for the control Of this State,
to-day the great conservative party Of Virgin D
confronts nowhere any remnant Of organic I'd OPP
position. From the shores of the Atlantic out
to the farthest borders which binds upon Ken
lucky and Tennessee the victorious banners Of
that party float uDassaled, aud they float tu
high advanced as the cmblems Ct political su
premacy, which ls as generous as It Is peaceful
| and pure. Now that opposing pressure las
been Withdrawn from the outside; now that
| wisdom and 6rmness and camncss must repress
oil rising dissension from withn now that the
fortunes of Virginia are entrusted 10 this splen
did assemblage Of her representative sons, let
me express the ardent hope that your lclibera
tions shall be sush as to preserve The harmony
and repuse, such as to uphold the highest vel
fare, such as TO perpetuate without spot or
blemish the dignity, the honor and tho glory
Of the Commonwealth Great applause.
After the announcement Of the committees
on credentials aud organization the convention
adjourned Till p. III.
When the convention raassembIel at 8 o clock
the committee on permanent organization re
ported tho name Of Marshall Hanger, Of Au
Rusta, a5 permanent chairman, John Bell
Bigger as secretary, and long list Of Vice
presidents, and the report was agreed to with
| out serious opposition.
MIR. Hanger on assuming the chair addressed
the convention, counseng harmony, calm de.
Liberation, &c.
| lie said:
| Gentlemen Of the Conuentton For the dis
tinguished honor of being called to preside over
your deliberations return my profound sad
grateful acknowledgements My only hope OF
justifyiDg the confidence thus reposed 10 NC is
found in my receiving your JEALOUS aid and
hearty corporation 10 all efforts 10 conduct the
business of the Convention, when the objects
and purposes Of our assembling are 90 we'll
known and understood. shall not observe the
custom Of the occasion any further than to say
| that it is matter Of congratulation that We as
semble under such favorable auspices. Time
was not far back when the deliberations Of
bodies Of this sort 10 Virginia were sought to
be dictated to and Influenced by outside inter
ference and power. Happily that time has
passed away, and we have bean RENTED to the
control of our affairs, and can now take counsel
| about our own matters 10 our own way Not
only so, but those Of our sister States who have
| been longer than We su!j scted to oppression
| and corrupt government have at length been
able 10 throw off the incubus, to establish local
| home governments. aud grand era OF good
| feeling has begun to prevail. Then it becomes
US to consider, with calm and wise dellbcratlOn,
grave and serious questions that may como be-
fore US, aud If it should be the pleasure of this
Convention to declare its judgment on any OF
them, that such caution and prudence should
be brought to bear on their decision as that the
common appreciation may be had But Tor the
reason that that decision is not made with the
view to any policy of expediency or temporary
success, but rather that it is founded on pur-
pose to promote the BEST the highest, and the
permanent interest Of the Commonwealth.
And whilst there may be difference OF senti
meut as to some Details that it is az yet recos
pized as great aud controlling fact that the
safety Of the State depends upon the uaty and
continued supremacy Of the Conservative party
and that the vita! interests Of the Common
wealth require that her intelligence and The
tax paying people should continue to guide her |
destinies. Then all will be we'll. invoke har-
mony in your Deliberations and in all Of your
proceedings. Applause.
A resolution was passed providing that no
man shall bo placed in nomination for Cover
nor who does not pledge himself to abide by
any result reached By the convention and give
to the ticket bis cordial support
The committee on credentials not being ready
to report, the convention adjourned until 9 to-
day. The session last night vas in marked con-