The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-17
Democratic Convention.

Democratic Convention.
On Tuesday last the Democratic Conven-
ton, to nominate a candidate for Congress, IN
this, the Seventh district, met in the Opera
House, in this city, at 10 O'clock, There was
pretty full delegation. When the body was
called to order the parouet was about half
filled with delegates and the dress circle pref
ty well occupied with spectators.
Mai Absalom Koiner, Chairman of the Con-
gressonal Committee, called the Convention
to order, in a neat little speech. He said that
the patriotic firmness Of few delegates in the
last General Assembly, aided and supported
by IL solid column of Democratic representa-
ton, had rendered it possible for the Conven-
ton to meet here today to choose Il champion
to carry forward its banner In the coming con-
test But for that stand you would now he
remanded TO some gerrymandcrcd district,
with no hope of success. We ought To con-
graduate ourselves that We are permitted to
meet as heretofore and upon the further fact
that we have Il reasonable prospect OF success,
if a good man is nominated. The opposition
will doubtless claim that the majority in the
last election cannot be overcome, uut they
will find their mistake. State issues have now
nothing to do with the contest. 1t is Demo-
cratic Conservative against Arthur, Stalwart
Republicansm, and local differences must not
be allowed ~ intervene. We must all strive
now for restoration Of the constitution
| The time has come for our dcliyerancc from
.l,tI.,r h.txx1 I'm
two parties Is wide, but | have not time to ex-
plain those differences, and so l shall content
myself with simply calling you to order
DR. Jas. X. Stout of Augusta, then nomi-
mated Col. Splitter, OF Page, us temporary
chairman, and the nomination was unani-
mously ratified. Upon being introduced Col.
| Splitter thanked the convention for the honor
conf rred upon him. for it was an honor indeed
| he said, to preside over such an assemblage OF
! Virgins. gentlemen. He proposed to say but
| little The Convention had met Tor the I'M
poriant business OF nominating standard
bearer. In making that selection all personal
pet. renee should be secondary. Don't stop
10 ask if he is II fundcr or rcadjuster. Only
know that he is Democrat. lie coun-
selcd harmony, and announced that the con-
| vcntion was ready ior business.
After cons lder,ble chatlcring MS to the mode
OF appointing the Committees on Credentials
and permanent organization, it was concluded
to confer that responsible duty on the
chair The President then announced those
committees, naming one delegate from each
| county or each committees
The committees after retirement. reported
us follows:
DELEG ATES.
Augustn.-Jno n. Opie, r. p. Eskridge, H. F. Lyle,
A. Foster, q. ". koincr, c. B. Koiner, q. A. Bruce,
A. NJ. Bo wnlan, W. f. Smith, j. Alex Bumgardner,
Bruin. Jno W. Christ, ". H. GambiIl, A. b. Light
ner, JAS, F. Tate, VIM. ]. Euritt j. h Stout, Albert
Roller, Butler Burke.
Jno. B. Moon, j. j. Brown, J. A. Early, J. W. Davis,
r. F Harris S. NJ reel, Geo. Perkins, j. M White,
d. H. stern, j. G.. Fields, II. NJ. McGruder. J. h.
wingheld, Jeff r. Taylor, j. 8. Nom, J. Il. Rogers,
C. W. Rogers, J. j. Wind, R. ]. Leckie, L. R. wad-
dell.
Bath.-C. R. Mcdonald, A. G. Cleek, Chas. Sitting
Flucaunu. A. A. Gray, C. s. Thomas, A. Petit.
| tfreen.-G. B. Jennings, II. H. McMullin, Jno. A.
smith.
, Rockimgham-s. P H. Miller, ]. W. Blackburn,
Cyrus Killian, N. L. Bakemore, NJ. Stricken, H. K.
|
Jno II. Frank, Scott Brewer, B. s. Cox, Jno. Lima
weaver, Jno. d. Pcnneybacker, A. R. Price, J. M
CARRIER, j. A. Roller, Milton TAYLOR.
Shenandoah-E. Henkel, Ezra Bowen, I. Hite
Bird.
Staunton.-w. H. Weller, R. W, Burke, I: Witt, W.
Il. Bumgardner, II. st. q. Tucker,W H. H. Lynn.
T. G. Elder.
PERMAN EMIT ORGANIZATION.
The permanent organization was reported
and adopted as follows:
o1,J -
ham.
Vice Presidents-C. S. Thomas, Fluvanna;
j. A. EARLY, Abemarle; A. A. McMullin
Greene; J. NJ Sibert, Page; c. N. Killian
Rockingham; l. Hite Bird, Shenandoah; w
H. Gamble, Augusta; c. r. McDannald, Bath
r c. p Jones, Highland; T. G. Elder, Staunton.
Secretary w. II. II. Lynn. Assistant
Sccretaries-al editors of Democratic papers
in the district present
The Convention then took a recess until 3
O'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the opening of the afternoon session, q
communication was read from Reuben Ford
stating that the choice of Goochland was Col
O'Ferrall. 1t was an unofficial communication
but was read at the request of the Convention
NOMINATIONS.
The Chair having announced that nOmina-
lions were in order,
CAPT. JNO N. OPIE,
of Augusta, took the stand, and in speech
brim inll of classic reference, nominated Col
Chas 7 O'Ferrall. He pronounced him the
modern Scipio Aircanus, and predicted thai
should he receive The nomination, he would
sweep the district like a whirl wind. His
democracy was unquestioned. He had voted
for every nominee of the party, except one
When Horace Greeley was placed at the head
of the Democratic column, Col O'Ferral
had refused to follow. The speaker himself
had also declined to enlist under such lea.
der, and had never been ashamed of it. In
deed he had yet to see man who, as Dem.
ocrat. was proud of the vote he cast for Hor-
ace Greeley. The speaker was persuaded that
Y the opposition had determined on campaign
D of browbeating and buly-ragging, and it be-
: hooved the democracy to give its standard in
TO the hands of man who would meet his
competitor any where and in any way on
+. the busting, on the duelling ground, at fist
and skull, and wherever the contest waged
f the warmest there would O'Ferrall be found
e rallying his forces and crying. "Lay on, Nc
: Duff, and damned be he who first cries: hold
} enough"
GEN. ]. G. FIELDS,
of Albemarle, then came forward. We come
he said, with one heart and purpose, and tina,
is TO redeem the Seventh district from Radical
: Republicanism, and place it again in the grea,
Democratic column. My democracy is of tina,
r kind that has never permitted me to finch
from any responsibility it imposed. 1t is Of
/ that character which compelled me to vote for
t the nominee of my party, even when that
nominee was Horace Greeley. If the gentle.
e man who preceded him would gaze upon his
a humble form, he would there see man who
1 was proud OF having voted tor Greeley in 1872
He regarded it as the best vote be ever cast
for it had enabled the Democratic party to
!, gain control of the lower House of Congress
] and to keep it for some time. He was no,
i here, however, to differ with fellow democrats