The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-15
National Party Conventions.

Il
i brief historical sketch of national nominating con
ventions in the United States in past times We ac
cordDgly avail ourselves of its "reminiscences facts
dates for the instruction of our readers: "
cup to 1882 the Presidential candidates of the peo
pie were not selected by national conventions of thu
respective parties. On the contrary, they nomi
mated in caucus of congressman at Washington
The first five Presidents were, with their Vice Presi
dents, chosen in this manner. -2-f
!" In 1924 the congressional caucus system received
its death blow In that year there were four candi
dates before the people for President, namely: An
drew jackson, j. Q. Adams, W. H. Crawford and
Henry Clay. Adams Jacksons and C1ay.s friends in
Congress declined to have anything to do with the
caucus. The result was that sixtyone members at
tended out of two hundred and sixty They nomi-
Mr. Crawford in accordance with old usages and
precedents. But the nomination, of course, carried
weight with it, and Mr.. Crawford the third in
the The election went to the House. where John
@. Adams was chosen. At the next election jackson
taken up in different State conventions, and
| elected over Mr.. Adams, who had the same ndorse-
ment. In 1882 at the end of Andrew Jacksons first
term, the first national conventions were called. The
Democratic met at Baltimore re-nonlinated Andrew
| Jackson by acclamation, and Martin Van Buren for
Vice President. Governor Robert Lucas, of Ohio,
president of this convention. The so-caled Ma
tional Republicans held convention, and selected
Henry Clay for President and John Sargent for Vice
President. They met, we believe, in Philadelphia.
jackson and Van Buren, were elected. In 1885 the
Democrats held their second national convention at
Baltimore, and by acclamation nominated Martin Van
Buren, for President, and after sharp contest, Sc
lected Col R. NJ Johnson of Kentucky for Vice Pres
ident over VIM. c. Rives, of Virginia The latters
friends were very indignant and Virginia in the cleo
ton voted for Van Buren, but rejected johnson, Civ
ing her vote to Gov. Smith. This caused tie. John
son had just half of the electoral There being
no choice johnson was elected by the Senate-the on
ly instance in our history of Vice President being so
chosen The Wing convention met in New York, and
selected Gen. W. II. Harrison for President and
Francis Granger, of New York, for Vice President
The Massachusetts Wings did not attend the conven-
ton, and gave their votes for Mr. Daniel Webster in
the election, instead Of Gen. Harrison. The Georgia
and Tennessee Wings also stood aoof and voted for
John Bell. Van Buren, was elected.
"1n December, 1889, the Wing convention met at
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. For the first time in any
convention there was struggle for the Presidential
nomination, between the friends of Henry Clay, Gen
Harrison and Gen. Scott. Harrison was chosen on
the third ballot, and John Tyler, of Virginia, was
nominated for Vice President The Democratic ma
tona convention met at Baltimore and re-nominated
Mr. Van Buren, for President No Vice President was
nominated and the States were left to for whom
they pleased for Vice President The friends of Van
Buren, however, generally voted for Col johnson.
Harrison and Tyler were elected.
" In 1914, both parties held their national conven-
tions at Baltimore. The Wings nominated Clay and
Freinghuysen, and the Democrats after long strug-
seltCteu oaHleS a. Oh tennessee, ana SlaS
Wright of New York. The latter declined and Geo.
NJ. Dallas of Pennsylvania, selected in his stead
Polk and Dallas elected. -...s 1.g.:. !
'In 1S4S the Democratic national convention met
at Baltimore and nominated Gems. Cass and Butler for
President and Vice President. The Wings held their
convention at Philadelphia, and selected Gen. Tay ylor
for President and Mard Fillmore of New York, for
Vice President They were elected '- !
In 1852 the Wings met at Baltimore and nomi-
mated Gen. Scott for President, and W A. Graham, of
North Carolina, for Vice President. At the same
place the Democrats nominated Franklin Pierce for
President, and W. R. King for Vice President. The
latter were elected
In 1856 the Democratic convention came to Gin
einnati and nominated James Buchanan and John c. |
The Republicans held their convention
in Philadelphia, and nominated Fremont and Dayton |
Another section of the opposition held their national
convention and nominated Fillmore and Donelson. |
Buchanan and Breckenridge were elected
In 1860 the Republicans convened at Chicago and |
nominated Lincoln and Hamlin. The Democrats met |
1t Charleston South Carolina, where split occurred
md the convention adjourned to Baltimore. Douglas,
md Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, were nominated by one
branch, and Breckenridge and Gen. Lane by the other
fitzpatrick declined to run, and Fl. V. johnson, of
3eorga, was selected. Bell and Everett were also |
un by the National Union men, Lincoln and Ham,
in we're elected. .... -s.. .~' .-.5. - ~ ...-
:" In 1864 the Democrats met at Chicago, and the
Republicans at Baltimore. The latter nominated Lin
oln and johnson, and the Democrats Mcclellan and
'endleton. The former were elected. We have thus
rought the history down to the present tme showing
he change from the congressional caucus to the ma
ional convention and the circumstances that led to
is occurrence" "-+