Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-08-01
Democratic Congressional Convention

Democratic congressional COnFehtiOh'
On the part of the delegates, and Demo
Gratis generally of this city and county, we
tender cordial welcome and fraternal
greeting to the delegates from all the other
counties of the District who will meet in
our city to-day for the purpose OF nomina-
ting Democratic candidate to represent
this district in the next Congress. The
several counties of the District have elected
good men to represent them in the Con-
vention who will look over the whole field
and make that selection which in their
Judgment is the most wise and judicious.-
This District is SO fruitful of good and
capable Democrats that each county could
furnish one or more who would make good
and faithful Representatives in Congress-
The difficulty in making suitable nomina-
ton will not be in the paucity, but in the
number of capable men from whom to
choose, as but one is to be chosen. We feel
assured that the delegates from all parts of
the District will meet in liberal and
patriotic spirit, with the purpose of making
the best selection by nominating that can
didate who, to his other qualifications, adds
that of availability, and will most certainly
carry the banner placed in his hands to a
glorious and triumphant victory. 1t should
be borne in mind that, at the last Congress
sional election in this District, the Demo-
Gratis were defeated by the large majority
Of oh aiohtoan h,1pHrod md hot II hxy
no means follows that q nomination is
equivalent to an election at this time. Such
an assumption would be erroneous, and if
acted upon by the voters, would result in
another ignominious defeat. In making
the nomination, therefore, the question of
availability should be considered, and that
candidate should be nominated who will be
able to command the most votes.
The Democrats of this county will urge
the nomination of one Of their own citizens,
whom they believe, aside from all personal
partially, is the proper man for this occa-
sion. They not only recognize him as the
peer in character, qualifications. and per-
sonal popularity, of any other candidate,
but they believe that, for several reasons,
he is the most available man. We will only
refer to one of them, and that seems to be
sufficient. He would get more votes in
this county than any other candidate whose
name will be presented; and it should
be borne in mind that this county can give
as great a Democratic majority as will be
given by all the other counties in the Dis
trict combined, and that it is upon the
Democratic vote of this county that rests
the hope Of Democratic success. This con-
sideration should be conclusive of the pro-
priety ard wisdom Of the nomination Of the
candidate Presented by Augusta county,
and more particularly when it is considered
that this county is the homs of the candi-
date that defeated the Democrats SO badly
at the last Congressional election, and that
he will probably be again the candidate of
the Republican party il this canvass. In
view of this probability, it would be very
unwise, in the estimation of the Democrats
of this county, for the Convention not to
nominate the candidate presented by them.