Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-05-10

The Two-Thirds Rule.

The Albany Argus shows by the re-
cord that this just and sautary rule has beer
the uniform practice OF the party from The
very commencement of National Demo
cratic Conventions. In 1882, the voice Of
the Democracy was unanimous for the res
election of Gen. Jackson as President
but there was diversity ofopinion as to the
Vice Presidency. Accordingly upon the
Recommendation Of the Democratic men,
bers of the New Hampshire Legislature,
The first Democratic National Convention
was held at Baltimore on the 2lst day OF
Nav, 1882, Gen. Robert Lucas, of Ohio,
presided, and the Vice Presidents were
Peter v. Daniel, of Virginia, James Fen
ner, of Rhode Island. john M. Barkley, OF
Pennsylvania, and A. S. Clay ton, Of Geor-
gia and the Secretaries were John A.
Dix. of New York. Stancy G. Potts of
New Jersey, and Robert j. Ward Of Ken
lucky.
1t was IN this first National Convention,
that the famous two-thi1ds cote, which has
exercised such an important influence up
on the fortunes OF several prominent states
men. was adopted. 1t was reported to the
Convention bv the committee Oh rules, Of
which Hon. William r. King, OF Alabama
elected Vice President on the ticket with
President Pierce in 1852, was chairman.
A motion to amend, by substituting mas
jorty rule, was voted down and the two
thirds rule as reported, was adopted. 1t
reads as follows:
"Resolyed, That each State be entitled,
in the nomination to be made of candi-
date for the Vice Presidency, to a number
of votes equal to the number to which they
will be entitled in the Electoral College
under the new pportionment, in voting
for President and Vice President and tina,
Twent, three States were represented
in this Convention. On the first ballot for
Vice President, MIR. Van Buren, received
2OS votes, p. p. Barbour, OF Virginia, 49
votes and r. Nj. Johnson, OF Kentucky, 26
votes. Mr.. Van Buren, having more than
two-thlrds, was of course nominated and
afterwards the nomination was, by resolu-
ton, made unanimous. No formal nomi-
nation was, by resolution adopted, re-
cognizing him as already the candidate. and
CORDIALLY concurriugsin the repeated nom
nations which he had received from vari-
Gus parts OF the Union
Thus, says the Argus, was inaugurated
a new party organization, which. from its
success on that occasion, has since not Oh
y been adhered to by the Democratic par
~, but copied by its opponents, with the
exception of the time-honored and vital
hco thirds rule, which the Democracy will
never abandon,) and which has exerted,
and continues 10 exert, an important. not
10 say controlling influence upon the for
tunes Of parties, and upon the political
characteristics OF the country. Doubtless
liz has had its abuses and evils, which have
sometimes caused it to be derided, but
whether any be,ter-mode of concentrating
the action OF those who entertain congenial
political views, can be devised it Is At least
predetermined. 1t is much easier to con.
demn the Convention system than to de-
wise a substitute which will not be more OBJ
liectionable. Concert of action, between
those entertaining similar political opin-
ions. must be had, if they look to carrying
them into practical effect in the admins
tratlon of the government, and whether
this can be secured in any other mode of
Representation than that now adopted, is
question yet to be solved. In the main,
the Democratic party have had reason to
be satisfied with the efficiency and success
which the Convention system as given It
aud its principles and it Will not hastily
cut loose from it. nor until some equally
efficient and less excephonabe mode OF
imparting concentration and poin, to its
energies can be devided, --Richmond En-
quuer.