Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-08-04
TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
The COnvention-The Nominee.
JAMES BUMGARDNER, Jr.

Wednesday and Thursday of last week
came scores of Representative men and
many visitors from the eleven counties of
the Tenth Congressional District That
historic town was the scene of unusual in
terest because the occasion was one of alb
sorbing Importance.
The counties composing the District in
their aggregate representative Democratic
strength had delegated one hundred and
fifty-ive picked champions to repair thith-
or and there commune as brothers and pa
triots and name leader upon whom the
mantle of Tucker should be placed. Of
the entire representation thus delegated,
extending over the country from the Allie
ghanies across the Valley, over the Blue
Ridge, and far down the James River Val
an unusual answer to -call-demonstra
ting the intensity of interest and unfalter-
ing attachment to principle, to right, and
to good government, which have led and
will continue to lead the Democratic party
to victory.
The game little county of Fluvanna, at
the Eastern flank of the District, had the
honor of furnishing the President Of the
Convention, and well it should, for its his
tory is the history of Virginia. The Hon.
A. A. Gray is fine representative of her
people. He is an able legislator, skilled
parliamentarian, and a courteous gentle
man. The people of Fluvanna have always
been conservative and patriotic. They
have contributed to the civic service of the
State eminent men, and her sons have il
Illustrated our military prowess. 1t has
been so in all her past history, and no
more affectionate emotions spring up in the
heart than those which cluster around the
memory of the matchless Magruder, whose
battery turned the storm Of war on Next
can plains, and who won undying fame at
the head of his division on Confederate
fields.
On taking the chair, Mi. Gray reflected
honor upon the body over which he was
chosen to preside, as we'll as entitled him
self to long and pleasant remembrance by
the people of Lexington for his touching
and manly utterances in reference to that
locality, where law and order are taught
and illustrated.
So, too, the Democrats Of the Tenth Dis
trict can we'll apply his illustrations bearing
on the necessity Of great activity on thei1
part, if they would maintain their present
position and influence in directing the af
fairs of the country. When he came to re.
fer to the objects of the Convention-thai
they had to name the successor to Tucker
and anoint the leader upon whom his man.
tie, '1aid down without stain or blemish,'
was to fall-the hall resounded with con
tinued round of applause.
In another column is summary of the
proceedings of the Convention. At the
conclusion of the session, Capt. Bumgard
ner appeared before the audience by inv
tation, and acknowledged the honor con.
ferred on him in a speech of Just about the
right length. 1t is not every man sum
moned under such circumstances-to &C
cept in that way such postion-that car
say just what he ought, and no more and nc
less, and finish it off as did this intrepid
son of Augusta. 1t was one of his happiest
efforts. There were men in the Conven
tion who for the first time saw their nom
inee on the stand. If his attachments ii
the forum or his reputation as popular
speaker had not been known to them, as
were his services as an officer of the Stone
wall Brigade through the whole of the late
war, that occasion furnished full and sat
isfactory illustration of ''what manner Of
man" he is. They saw for themselves, anc
the bonds of unity, friendship, faith, anG
affection were cemented by his noble words
and his fine bearing. He inspired enthus
asm as he referred to the Democratic party
and its platform and the relations he sus
tanned to both as citizen, as the candi
date, and as the representative in Congress
giving effect to the measures decided by his
election. All over, up and down, and cross
ways, it was the speech of the leader, the
conscientious, earnest and true man, and
then and there his hearers responded in eff
feet, "Worthy is he to cleave the way fol
triumphant victory"
Standing at the threshold of new Ca
reer, he yields the battle-axe of truth and
right. He will cut his way through the
conflict which "our friends, the enemy"
are now busy with all their Vaccinations in
preparing for him. Let him go forth in
the spirit of that, his first enunciation of
his purposes, assailing as he goes the plot
ters against the peace and prosperity of the
country, and stripping bare the pestilent set
willing to tear down every protection
against misrule in the land, and it will be
enough.
Such were the sentiments and feelings
carried by the representatives in the Con
vention to their communities from High
land to Fluvanna. They will await with
nerves strung for the fray, and ready tt
hear and respond to the signal given by
him that action has commenced all along
the line. This we shall have in due time
and then ''every one unto his work." Al
Nehemiah raised the walls of the SECOND
Jerusalem against the wiles of his enemies
so the Sanballats of this day, butting thei
heads against the strong entertainments o
the Democracy of the Tenth District hat
as we'll "stand from under"
The 100 employees of Mertz & Sons, car
penters and joiners, Portchester, N. Y, in
sisted Thursday upon attending picnic o
the Friendship Social Club, a socialist or
employers. Yesterday when they came tt
work they found the shops locked and E
notice on the depr saying that it was Mr.
Merits time now to have picnic, and thai
the shops would be closed indefinitely. The