The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-12-28
National Conventions.

nomination of candidates for President
and Vice. .President-will be the eighth
National Democratic Assembly which has
convened for that purpose under the pres
rest organization. The FIRST Democratic
National Convention was held at Balti-
more, In 1889, and nominated General
Jackson for reelection as President, and
Martin Van Buren for Vice.President.
Yhe State Of Pennsylvania did not, how
ever, abide by the decision Of the Conven-
stion on the Vice. Presidency. but threw
away her vote for William Wilkins. The
te1t Democratic National Convention
wa held at Baltimore, In December, 1885,
and selected Martin Van Buren, for Pres
ident, and Richard M. johnson. of Ken
tncky, for Vice-President. In May, 1910,
the, third Convention was held. Mr.. Van
.1ureh was nominated for reelection; but
lAs, selection of Vice. President Was made.
The Democrats all voted for r. NJ.
johnson. except Virginia, which cast her
electoral vote for VIM. Smith. In May,
1874, the fourth Convention was held, and
sshoss James z. Polk for President. and
George NJ. Dallas for Vice President.
The fifth Convention convened as Balti-
more. In May. 184s, and designated Gen.
Gass for President, and William o. But
Ter, of Kentucky. for Vice.President.
The sixth Convention was held at Balti-
more in May, 1852, and nominated Frank.
IN Pierce. Of New Hampshire, for Preei.
dent. and VIM. r. King, of Alabama, for
Vice. President. The seventh Conven-
zion met in Cincinnati on the Is. o: June
1856, and nominated Buchanan and Brsck-
inridge. Previous to the holding of Ma
tional Conventions, the Democrats used to
nominate candidates for President and
Vice President by Congressional caucus.
The Democratic members of Congress
convened and nominated Jefferson, Madi-
son and Monroe successively for Presi-
dent. and the people ratified the selections.
.Ehose districts and States that had NO
Democratic members of Congress, of
course had no voice 10 the nomination.
IN 1894 the last Congressional caucus for
! tAs saonination of President was held.
sDy this time the system became unpopu-
iif. Only sixty-one members Of Con.
gfess met out of two hundred and forty.
They selected VIM. H. Crawford, Of Geor.
: aaia, for President, and Albert Gallatin,
OF Pennsylvania, for Vice President.
The great mass of the Democracy, how.
ever. supported General Jackson for
President. ss In 1928 be ran again, with.
rout any national nomination as candidate,
and was triumphantly elected.
The opposition to the Democracy never
had any regular National Convention for
the uominstion Of President and Vice.
President until December, 1889, when
they met at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and
nominated General William Henry Har-
ayison of Ohio. for President. and John
Tyler, of Virginia. for Vice. President
Since then they have had their conven.
btions regularly every four years. The
Dsnoesatic people having agreed with
-.rsmarkable unanimity upon STrHEN A..
.DouGLAs for President, who is the choice
ssef Not less than l 500, ,000 Of the ], $780,
600 men vho voted for Mr.. Buchanan in
/ 1864, tho consention at Chsrleston will
: have IN easy time Of it. The people
: iEsving made tho nomination, oil that the
pdslsgates will have to do will be to give
4 form and expression by the passage oi
. resolution declaring their will. The
cohyention is . representative body, and
.-must sud will carry out the will Of the
psople.-C Cincinnati Enquirer.