Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-07-28
The TWo.Thirds Rule.

FIRST Democratic National Convention, in
1892, says the Lancaster InteRigencer and
by it Gen. JACKSON was nominated for
President, and MARTIN VAN BUREN for
Vice President. 1t was established for
the purpose of protecting the certain Dem
ocratic States from having obnoxious can.
didates forced upon them by the delegates
from Oppositions States who might possi-
bly, control bare majority of the Conven-
ton. The rule has been adhered to in
every instance since then, until the present
time. In lS44, Mr.. VANBuREN had a de-
cided majority of the Convention from the
start; but, failing to obtain the requisite
two thirds, he was defeated ,and Mr.. POLK
received tho nomination and was elected
The recent Convention which assembled
at Charleston, also adopted the rule, and
declared that 202 votes two thirds of a
full Convention of 303) we're necessary to
make nomination. This rule was not re-
pealed at any subsequent stage Of the Con.
vention, either at Charleston or Baltimore
consequently no candidate not receiving
that number OF votes can be said to have
been regularly nominated In the portion
of the Convention which remained in ses-
sion, and which nominated Mr.. DOUGLAS,
there appear to have been only 1914! votes
all told, including some twenty or more,
principally from Southern States, who were
admitted to seats to the exclusion of the
regularly elected delegates from those
States. The highest number of votes
which Mr. DOUGLAS appears to have OBJ
tained at any time, was lsll-being 20a
less thas the required number under the
two thirds rule, even admitting tho legiti-
macy Of all the votes cast.
The seeding portion Of the Convention,
which met at the Maryland Institute num-
bered but l05 full votes, alfof which were
cast for Mr.. BREcKINRIDGE on the second
ballot. The State of South Carolina was
not represented in either Convention at
Baltimore. In the first Convention twenty
six States were represented, in whole or in
part, at the time of the nomination and
in the second Conventon; ,twent; two
o,ates . .'.9 Wer HsnJily or partially represeu-
ted.
|, The above statistics we have taken from
the record. The facts, as they appear,
clearly show that, under the two-thirds
rule, adopted before the bal!oting com.
, menced, neither of the Democratic candi-
dates for the Presidency now before the
people can lay claim to Il "g~lar nomi-
nation, as nominations have heretofore
been made Mr.. DoUGLAs comes nearest
to it,but still does not quite reach the stan.
dard recognized BY eight consecutive Ma
tional Conventions, including the recent
one held first at Charleston and then at
Baltimore. Had he received clear and
undisputcd majority of two thirds of the
regularly elected delegates of tn. Conveu.
tion or had the rule been repealed before
the nomination was made, then it would
have been the bounden duty of every Dem.
ocrat (no matter what his personal objec.
tions may bo) to yield him hearty and
jealous support; as is is, Democrats are
! left free to prefer him or Mr. BREcKIS.
RIDGE, and we know of no better plan OF
operation by which to keep the party to-
gether i'll Pennsy ylvania, whatever may be
the condition Of things elsewhere, than for
all Democrats men and BREcK
INRIDGE, men--to carry out, fairly and
, honestly, the recommendation of the State
Central Committc, by voting the same
electoral ticket By so doing, Mr.. DoUe.
LAS will secure the vote of the State, if i,
can be made available for him; any other
course must, of necessity, result in giving
) the electoral vote of Pennsylvania to LIN,
, COLIN, as also in sndangcring the election
OF FOSTER, and defeating all, or nearly
all, the Democratic candidates for Con-
, gress, State Legislature, and County Of
, ficers. We hope our Democratic friend:
who prefer Mr.. DOUGLAS, and desire hi;
, election will ponder we'll upon these things
before they take step which will iuevita'
' bly, result in his defeat,
. Our course shall be to do justice to bott
f candidates, and carry out in good faith sc
: far as We have the power or ability, the
! fair and honorable recommendation of the
. State Committee. If any other cours,
e could be attended with better, or even a
0 good results, we would cheerfully adopt it
B, We are actuated solely in this matter b.
/, an honest desire to harmonize and consol
idate the party, and save the State from
falling into the hands of the Republican
i - nothing mora noth;no lac