The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-07-03
aa,issellaneuus.
HISTORY OF DEMOCRATIC ma
TIONAL CONVENTIONS,

THERE have been various and sundry
times within our recollection, when the
party in opposition to the Democracy
confidently asserted that it had become
extinct as political organization.
Doubtless, the wish was father to the
thought; for from the days of Thomas
Jefferson to the present, in all national
rs well as in all State elections, the
Democrats have had candidates before
the people, with a distinctive avowal of
principles, mostly with a successful re-
suit, and always with a powerful and
telling vote. 1t has ever been national
party, founded upon strict construc-
ton and faithful execution of all the
provisions and stipulations of the Con-
stitution of the United States of course
opposition to its principles could only
come from parties who were equally in
opposition to the Constitution itself.
Hence, we see at this time an organiza-
tion avowedly built upon the idea Of n
higher law than the Constitution en-
deavoring to carry out, at the point OF
the bayonet, an unconstitutional object;
and in Congress, the same party organ
ization repeating all the laws that con-
tiict with its notions, although sOnie of
them were approved by PresdentWash-
ington, and all of them have the sane
ton of the plain requirements of the or
ganic law.
In the midst of such wholesale de-
partures from established princi-
pies and sound doctrines, it is most gia'
tifying to find the old Democratic or
ganizatiOn steadily and consistently op
posing itself to those innovations, and
as one man urging a return to the faith
| and practice of the Fathers of the Re
public, and asking the people, in view
of lis past history, to intrust it onc'
more with position and power. In view
of its present standing before the coun
/ try, and rs preface to an abstract Of it.
! proceedings in the coming national con
vention, we propose to give shor
sketch of all previous Democratic Ma
| tiOnal Conventions. OF course, in Al
article like the present, it is impossibl,
to give more than the most meagrC
/ statement of the action Of the severa
bodies, without entering at all into ths
! debates or giving the resolutions adopt
I ed.
Nominations for President OF tn,
United States were originally made by
the Democratic members OF Congress
assembled in caucus. Up to, and in
Guiding that for 1924, such had been th
uniform practice. The Democratic eau
Gus candidate of that year was William
IL. Crawford, who was beaten by JOIN
Quincy Adams. The caucus system
grew out Of favor after this defeat, tina
being one Of the prevailing causes Of tn
opposition to it; and MI. Crawford wa
the last Democratic candidate nominal
ed by Congressional caucus.
General Jackson had been q candidat
in 1924, and his friends had determine
to bring him forward again AS IL candi
date at the next election Accordingly
in 1928, without waiting for or desirin
any action on the part of the member
Of Congress, the people, in State CONVEX
tions and mass meetings, nominate
Andrew Jackson for President, an
John c. Calhoun was supported for an
elected Nice-President.
; 1t being understood that Gener,
Jackson would be candidate for reele,
ton in 1882, it became necessary for tn
Democratic friends of his administri
tion to unite on n candidate for Nic'
: President to succeed Mr.. Calhoun, VIII
had quarrelled with President jackson
, and had also, in consequence of h
! course, fallen out of favor with the d.
i mocracy. The plan Of a Nations
. Convention was hit upon, and the pr,
position was started in New Ham,
shire by the Democratic members of tt
Legislature of that State.
II was responded to in nearly all
the States, and the first Democratic n
tional Convention for the nomination
President and ice-President, was he
at Baltimore on Monday, May twent
first, 1882. II was complete succes
+ and was attended by an immense nun
u ber of people from all parts of the Uni
- ed States.
Mr.. Sumner, OF New-Hampshlr
Q called the Convention to order, al
n stated the object of the call, viii
originated in his State. Genel
J Robert Lucas. of Ohio, was chosen Pre-