New Orleans Republican., 1871-09-17

Republican party Of that day for the same
Offices. There was clear defeat OF the
candidates of the Federal party by the
people, but defect in the constitution,
as it then existed, rendered choice OF
President by the House of Representa-
tives necessary. According to the consti-
tuition Of that day each elector voted for
two men without designating which was
to be President, and he who obtained the
greatest number of votes was to be Presi-
dent, and the one receiving the next
highest number Of votes was to be Vice
President. Nh. jefferson and Colonel
Burr, running on the same ticket, re-
ceived the same number Of votes, and the
election, according to the constitution,
had to be decided by the House OF Repre-
sentatives. The votes are here given by
States, the majority of the Congressional
delegation determining the vote OF the
State. When the election was entered
upon by the House of Representatives it
singularly occurred that the States were
for long time equally divided between
Mr.. jefferson and Colonel Burr; and it
began to be feared that man might be
elected President who had not received for
that purpose solitary vote of the people.
For many weeks the people were kept in
intense excitement while Congress was
balloting for a President between two
persons who had been clearly elected by
the people, but in consequence Of defect
i've constitution, q further election was
rendered necessary by the House of Rep
resentatives. At length, after the public
patience had become almost exhausted,
Colonel Burr withdrew from the contest,
and Mr.. jefferson was chosen President.
and Colonel Burr Vice President. The
contest was not without its lesson. The
constitution was changed so as to render
it necessary to name the man in connec-
ton with the Office which he was running
for.
The next and only election Of this kind
that has been carried into the House OF
Representatives occurred in 1924. The
candidates were John Quincy Adams and
General Jackson. AS matter Of course
there was good deal of excitement and
political maneuvering in Congress before
a choice Of President was made. But
finally Mr.. Adams was selected and the
country became more composed. MIR.
Clay, the sage Of Ashland, as he was
styled during his lifetime, took a promi.
nent part in this contest and assisted in
electing Mr.. Adams, though they had diff
fered in politics previously.
A Presidential election in the ordinary
way is always attended with considerable
but when choice is rendered
necessary by the House of Representa-
tives it is prolonged and increased. 1t
has already been asserted by those who
pretend to see iuto the future that it is
highly probable the coming Presidential
election may have to be determined
in the House Of Representatives; that the
condition Of parties will be such as to
render this highly probable. 1t is sup
posed by some, there will be three parties
in the field, and that in that case choice
by the people will be defeated.
It is now quite apparent that good
many Republicans take the liberty Of dis
agreeing upon the subject Of the next
Such distinguished Re-
publicans as Horace Greeley and Cassius
N. Clay have already spoken out in favor
Of the one term doctrine. Ii this doctrine
should become popular with the Repub-
leans, as it is with the Democrats, it will |
njure the chances Of President Grant for |
! denomination. Senator Morton, one of |
President Grants frmest and ablest sup
oorters, in speech made recently in St.
Louis, dwelt upon the troubles that at
present exist in the party. He urged Re-
publicans to come together and heal up
heir differences, pledging himself to sup
port the nominee, whoever be might be. |
He said:
pledge myself to support him. whether
le be Greeley. Sumner, Trumbull or Grant |
AS this is the only way that the
oarty can hope to achieve victory in 1872,
ct US hope, for the sake Of Republican
principles, it will unite and elect the next |