The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-04
CORNER Demooratlo national Conventions.

UIsTORY
yrsrloSs--The first National Democratic Convention
,or The nomination OF President and Vice President was
hen al Baltimore on Monday May 81. 1882 Previous
- ,be election of General as President and MIR
cahoua as Vice President 1928, who were NOMINATED
by Slate conventions, and by general consent OF the
democracy opposed to the reelection OF John Quincy
Adams the democratic candidates for President and Vice
President were nominated by caucuses OF the democratic
members OF Congress The caucus system grew out OF
favor after the last congressional caucus. which was held
In 1924 and resulted in the defeat OF the regularly
mated candidates. VIM. II. Crawford
II being understood that General Jackson would be
candidate for reelection in 1882, became necessary
for The democratic friends OF his administration TO unite
on candidate for Vice President 10 succeed Mr. Calhoun
who had quarelled with General Jackson and had also
fallen out Of favor with the democracy. The plan Of
National Convention was hit upon, aud the proposition
was started in New Hampshire by the democratic mem
hers OF the legislature OF that State II responded
10 in nearly all OF the States and, on assembling at Bal
timore the 2lst May there were found collected
greater and general delegation from the people than
was ever before assembled upon occasion OF the sort
when States were represented
Mr. Sumner. of New Hampshire, called the conven-
lion 10 order. and stated the object of the call which
originated in his State General Robert Lucas of Ohio,
was chosen president Of the convention four vice pres
dents and three secretaries were also appointed.
The committee prepare rules proposed the celebrated
twohird rule which originated with Mr.. Saunders, of
North Carolina and has since been adopted BY the Demo-
cratic National Convention precedent. viz:
Rssolved That each State be entitled. in the nomination
TO be made OF candidate for the vice presidency 70
entitled in the electoral colleges under appoint
men voting for President and Vice President; and that
wohrds Of the whole number OF votes in the convention
shall be necessary 10 constitute q choice.
Delegates appeared from the District Of Columbia, but
the right Of voting was refused TO theml26 for and 1853
On balong for candidate for Vice President Martin
Van Buren, received 205 votes; Philip p. Barbour 40 !;
Richard NJ Johnson. 80. Total number Of electoral
votes represented. 2S3. (ony five less than the whole
number all the States entitled to.)
Martin Van Buren,, having received, on the first ballot,
majority OF more than o.hirds OF all the votes given,
IN ha fha idato nj
Vice President, and resolution unanimously recon-
mending him was adopted
resolution was then passed. granting the privilege 10
the delegates from the District OF Columbia OF recording
General Jackson was thea nominated for reelection as
President, by resolution offered by Mr. c. C. Clay of
Alabama, declaring "ihat we most cordially concur in
the repeated nominations which he has received in va
rous parts of the Union candidate for reelection.
The second Democratic National Convention was held
at Baltimore on Wednesday. May 90, 1885. when very
large number Of delegates assembled, and from nearly
every State in the Union. On resolution passed by
the conventions 44l delegates vood
Mr. George Kremer, OF Pennsyvani called the con-
venon TO order, and stated its objects. On his motion,
Andrew Stevenson, OF Virginia, was appointed President
Of the convention and the next day Six Vice Presidents
and four Secretaries were also chosen.
Mr.. Saunders, OF North Carolina, from the Committee
on Rules, reported as the fifth resolution, awo-thrd
regulation similar TO the adopted by the convention
OF 1882. Mr.. s. supported the two thirds principle, be-
il would have more imposing effect; but MIR. Al
len, Of Massachusetts,, declared in favor Of majority,
being according TO democratic principles. Mr. p. v Dan
iel. OF Virginia, made few remarks in favor OF two
thirds 10 which Mr.. Allen reioned.
The convention, by ayes $751; 2l0 decided in favor
Of amendment declaring majority sufficient for a
nomination but the next day friday it was Teconsd-
eed the majority principle abandoned, and the wo-thrd
The adoption of the iwohird rule by this convention
was considered intended 10 keep out Richard M john
son as Vice President. many delegates being willing to
make nomination rather than accept OF him The Viz
gnia candidate William c. Rives OF that State, who
afterwards turned whg. and Is now minister to France
II being ascertained that Mr. Van Buren, wished the nom
inaon of Johnson and was necessary to secure two
thirds for him, after the rule adopted the desired
suit was brought about by finding in Baltimore mer-
chant OF Tennessee, Mr. Edward Rucher, who came into
the convention and gave the fifteen votes OF that State
for Johnson
On Friday, the third day OF the session. the convention
proceeded 10 ballot for President when Martin Van Buren,
received 265 votes, the whole number given and was de-
clared duly nominated. On the only ballot for Vice
President, Richard Nj Johnson received u.s. and William
Rives 81 votes and having received twothds OF the
votes, r. M johnson was declared the candidate OF the
convention for Vice President
When the vote OF New York announced for John
son. the ViIginaDs Kissed most ungracIously and the
kentuckians appIauded loudly Il was afterwards an
nounced that the Virginia delegation would not support
Johnson for Vice President The electoral vote OF The
bama but on the election OF Vice President by the Sen
ale, consequence OF their being choice by the cleo
tors. the Virginia SENATOR'S OF whom Mr. Ryes was one,
The third National Democratic Convention was held
at Baltimore. Tuesday, May s, isio. Delegates from
twenty zone states were IN attenudHCe
dy OF Tennessee called the convention 10 order and on
his motion Governor Isaac Hill, Of New Hampshire, was
appointed president pro tenn, and John A. Dix, OF New
York, secretary pro TEN. By the nomination OF COM
miee. Governor William Carroll, OF Tennessee, was APP
pointed president assisted by number OF vice presidents
and secretaries.
committee Of one member from each State was az.
pointed 10 report upon The subject OF the nominations OF
President and Vice President and another committee to
report resolutions decaraory OF the principles OF the re-
publican party oil the Union.
The next day the Committee on Nominations reported
IN favor OF the presentation OF Martin Van Buren,
candidate for reelection 10 the presidency; but that they
deemed il inexpeden to choose between The individuals
in nomination Tor Vice President but 10 leave the decision
10 their republican fellow citizens in the several States
The resolution nominating MIR. Van Buren, was unan-
mousy adopted that respecting the vice presidency was
discussed at length but Il was finally adopted.
Two objects were probably contemplated by the curious
resolution on the vice presidency One abtless 10
get rid oil Johnson ii possible, should the party prove
successful; another to enlist the feelings and
tons oil the friends OF other candidates in the different
States 30 as TO secure electoral votes for Mr. Van Buren,
Tor President The pan however, failed; the democracy
were defeatedVan Buren,, for President, receiving 90
electoral votes johnson, As, for Vice Presidents Fare
wei, IL (from South CarolnaD and Polk, /, rom Viz
gina
The fourth National Democratic Convention assembled
al Baltimore on Monday May 81, Is44, when a great
crowd of delegates and outsiders appeared the ground
The whole number Of delegates in attendance 325,
entitled TO 256 votes
On motion OF Mr. Saunders, OF North Carolina Hen
drick Wright Of Pennsy lvania was chosen chairman
and William +. Richie, OF the editor OF the Rich
mond Enquirer. appointed secretary. On perma-
men, organization OF the convention, Mr. Wright was