The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-05-13
PRESIDENTIAL sPEcULAr1oNs

PRESIDENTIAL SPEcULATIONS.
As the time for the meeting of the Gin
cinnati convention approaches, the allah
sorbing question-Wh0 will receive the
nomination for the Presidency is the one
which ELECTS the most discussion and ez-
cites the most interest among Democrats.
We propose, in the present article to give
briefly our own impressions as to the pres
ent phase of the 'Presiden:ial game" bas-
ed upon the developments which have al
ready been made in various quarters of the
Union.
Among Northern aspirants, unquestiona-
bly, the most prominent are Buchanan,
Douglas and Pierce. They occupy the
arena to the almost total exclusion of every
one else, and hence, in specializing upon
the probable result of the deliberations at
Cincinnati, our observations must be con-
fined to the consideration of the amount of
strength each of them is likely to bring to
the support of his claims,
Judging from the developments which
have already been made, we incline to the
belief that the following statement as to the
probable strength of each will be found by
the result to be nearly correct. 1t is gen
orally conceded thet Mr.. Pierce will receive,
on the first ballot, the vote of all the slave
holding States except Virginia, Louisiana,
Missouri and Maryland. Besides these he
will most probably receive the support of |,
nearly all the New England States, Maine,
we believe, being the only Eastern State !
which has evinced disposition to abandon
his fortunes. Should this conjecture prove
correct, it is obvious that the vote for Mr.. |
Pierce, on the first ballot, will be highly
complimentary one, though wholly INSULT |
Client to give him any chance for the nomi- |
nation under the operation of the two-thirds |
rule.
1t is certain that Mr.. Buchanan will re- |
ceiTe very large vote upon the first ballot.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Del
aware, California, Iowa, and, we believe,
Maine, have already declared for him, while |
he has at least an equal chance for the votes
of Virginia, Ohio, New York, Michigan and
perhaps others, Should he receive the sup
port of the last mentioned States, he will
far out-striP Pierce on the first ballot, and
his nomination may be regarded as almost
certain.
In regard to Mr.. Douglas, the public
demonstrations in his favor, have. thus far.
been much weaker than those for either
Pierce or Buchanan. Louisiana is, we be-
lieve, the only State which has declared
for him up to this time, and the New Or
leans Bee expresses doubt as to the course
even of this State. Missouri and the whole
Northwest are confidently claimed for him {
by his supporters, though upon what grounds {
we are not informed: Certain it is, that {
Iowa, one of the North western States, has s
declared for Buchanan, and his chances
are supposed to be at least equal for the t
votes of Ohio and Michigan. l. is fair to !
therefore, that Douglas will 90 t
into the Convention with strength much
inferior to that of either of his competitors, S
and consequently that his chances for the t
may be justly regarded as mere D
ly secondary. q
Should the foregoing speculations be :
justified by the result, las we believe they y
viii be) it is almost certain that neither s
Pierce, Douglas, nor Buchanan can obtain y
The nomination upon any of the first bal Y
OTIS In this contingency one of the two
following alternatives will probably be a 8
iopted: Either the friends of one of the I
hree will drop their favorite and concen- n
rate upon one of the remaining two and a
hus secure his election, or a new man will h
De placed in the field. Should the former I,
course be pursued, the chances are in II
avor of the nomination of Buchanan or n
Douglas. Mr.. Pierce will get his full II
strength on the first ballot, and the course ii
pursued by his friends after his name is
will most probably determine A
he event of the contest. What that will
re, we have no data upon which to hazard
ven a conjecture. 4
In the event of the adoption of the latter &C
lternative, nothing short Of "a Prophets as
en-" can form the remotest conception of X
he probable result Danrille Repubi-
In. p'
FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION. -
The first Democratic Convention assem- ~
led in Baltimore on the 2lst of May, 1882 RI
en-, Robert Lucas, of Ohio, presiding. 1t nc