Middletown transcript., 1868-07-04
Past National Convention.


Up to 1882 the Presidential candidates
Eof the people were not selected by ma
tional conventions of the respective parties
but were nominated by a congressional
caucus at Washington. The first five
Presidents were, with their Vice. Presi-
dents chosen in this manner. This GUS
tom was killed in 1924. Then there
were four candidates before the people for
President, namely, Andrew Jackson, John
@. Adams, w. H. Crawford, and Henry
Clay. Adams, Jackson's, and Clay's
friends in Congress declined to have any
thing to do with the caucus. Only sixty
one members met and nominated Mr..
Crswford in accordance with the old plan.
He came in third best in the race. The
election went to the House, and Adams
was chosen. Jackson was taken up at
the next election, in different State con-
ventions, and was elected over Mr..
Adams, who had the same endorsement.
The first national conventions were
called in 1882, the ending of Jackson's s
first term. The democratic convention
met at Baltimore, renominated Andrew
jackson by acclamation, and Martin Van
Buren for Vice-Presidcnt. Governor Rob
ert Lucas, of Ohio, was the president of
this convention. Jackson and Van Buren,
were elected. In 1885 the democrats held
their second national convention at Balti-
more, and nominated Martin Van Buren,
for President, and after sharp contest
selected Colonel r. NJ johnson, of Ken
lucky, for e-President, over William
G. Rives, of Virginia. Virginia, in the
election, voted for Van Buren, but reiec-
ted johnson. This caused tie John
son had just half of the electoral votes.
There being no choice, johnson was cleo
ted by the Senate-the only instance in
oar history Of Nce-President being so
elected. Van Buren, was elected.
In 1889 the Democratic National Con-
vention met at Baltimore, and renomina-
ted Mr.. Van Buren for President. No
Vice-President was nominated, and the
States were left to vote for whom they
pleased for Vice President. The friends
of Van Burcn, however, generally voted
for Colonel johnson. Harrison and Ty-
Ter were elected.
In 1874 both parties held their national
conventions at Baltimore. The democrats
selected James K. Polk, of Tennessee.
and Silas Wright, of New York. The
latter declined, and George M. Dallas, of
Pennsylvania, was selected in his stead.
Polk and Dallas were elected.
In 1S48 the Democratic National Con-
vention met at Baltimore, and nominated
Generals Cass and Butler for President
and Vice-President. They we're defeated
by Gen. Taylor and Fillmore.
In 1852, at Baltimore, the Democrats
nominated Franklin Pierce for President,
and w. r. King for Vice President. They
were elected.
In 1856 the Democratic Convention
went to Cincinnati, and nominated James
Buchanan and John G. Breckinridoe
They were elected.
In 1860 the Democrats met in Charles
ton S. G. where a split occurred, and the
convention adjourned to Baltimore. Doug
las and Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, were
nominated by one branch, and Breckin-
ridge and Lane by the other. Fitzpatrick
declined to run, and H. V johnson, of
Georgia, was selected. Bell and Everett
were also run by the National Union men.
Lincoln and Hamlin were elected. =.
In 1864 the Democrats met at Chicago.
and nominated Mcclellan and Pcndleton
Ne,o York Egpress