Natchitoches spectator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1867-18??, 1868-07-14
The National Demcrasic Conventions.

The National Democratic Conventions.
Up to 1882 the Presidential candi-
dates of the people were not selected by
National Conventions of the respective
parties, but were nominated by II Con-
gressional caucus at Washington Tho
first FIVE Presidents were, with their
Vice Presidents, chosen in this lnanner
This custom was killed in 1924 Then
there were four candidates before the
people for President, namely: Andrew
jackson. John Q. Adams. w. III. Craw-
ford and Henry Clay. Adams, Jack
sons and Clay's friends in Congress de-
clined to have anything to do with the
caucus. Only sixty-onc members met
and nominated Mr.. Crawford i'm accord
ance with the old plan. He came i'm
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 conven-
tions, and was elected over Mr.. Adams,
who had the same endorsement.
The first national conventions were
called in 1882, the ending of Jackson's
first term. The Democratic conventions
met at Baltimore, renominated Andrew
jackson by acclamation, and Martin
Van Buren, for Vice President. Gov.
Robert Lucas, of Ohio, was the presi-
dent of this convention. Jackson and
Van Buren, were elected. In 1885 the
Democrats held their second national
ccnvention at Baltimore, and nominated
Martin Van Buren, TOR President, and
after sharp contest selected Col. II.
NJ. Johnson, of Kentucky, for Vice
President, over VIM. g. Rives, of Yir-
ginia. Virginia, in tho election, voted
for Van Bnren, but rejected johnson.
This caused a tie. johnson had just
half of the electoral votes. There being
no choice, johnson was elected by the
Senate--the only instance in our history
of % Vice President being so elected.
Van Buren, was elected.
In 1889 the Democratic National Con-
vention met at Baltimore, and re-nomi-
mated 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 buren,, however, generally voted
for Col. johnson. Harrison and Tyler
were elected.
In 1874 both parties held their nation
al conventions at Baltimore. The dem
ocrats selected JAS. X. Polk, Of Tenn,
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 1S4S the Democratic National Con-
vention met at Baltimore, and nomlna-
ted Gems. Cass and Butler for President
and Vice President They were defeat
ed by Gen. Taylor and Fillmore.
In 1852, at Baltimore. the Democrats
nominated Franklin Pierce for Presi-
dent and w. II. King for Vice President.
They were elected.
In 1856 the Democratic Convention
went to Cincinnati and nominated Jas.
Buchanan and John @. Breckenridge.
They were elected.
In 1850 the Democrats met in Charles
ton, s. O., where q split occurred, and
the Convention adjourned to Baltimore.
Douglas and Fitzpatrick, of Alabama,
were nominated by one branch, and
Breckenridge and Gen. Lane by the
other. Fitzpatrick declined TO run, and
III. v. Johnson, of Georgia, was select
ed. Bell and Everett were also run by
the National Union men. Lincoln and
Hamlin were elected.
In 1864 the Democrats met ut Chicago,
and nominated Mcclellan and Pendle-
toni Ne,o York Express.