The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-06
1928, but Jackson was elected, receiving
IFS electoral votes. to SO for Adams.


THE FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION.
There was no opposition to Gen. Jack
son, by the Democrats, in 1882, for
second term, but the party was much
divided as to who should be the nominee |
for vice president. The old congressional
caucus system had failed, in 1924, to
harmonic aud unite the party, and had
been abandoned, and in order to settle the
question as to who should be the candidate
for vice president, a national convention
was called, aud met in Baltimore, in May
1882, delegates being present from each
of the then % states. This was the first
national Democratic convention ever held. |
Gen. JackUn was unanimously endorsed
as the candidate for president.
THE Two-THIRDs RULE.
1t was at this, the first Democratic
national convention ever held, that the
famous two-thirds, anti Democratic rule was
adopted, and which has been re adopted by
every Democratic national convention,
since that time. 1t was as follows:
"ResoiUsd, That each state be entitled, in the
nomination to be made for the vice presidency, to
they will be entitled In the electoral colleges under
the new apportionment, in voting for president and
vice-presideDt; and that two-th:rds of the whole
number OF votes In the convention shall be neces
sary 10 constitute choice"
The convention proceeded to ballot for
a candidate for vice president, with the
following result:
For Martin Van Buren,: Connecticut Illinois,
2; Ohio, 81; Tennessee, Is; North Carolina, 9;
land, Z; New Jersey, s; Mississippi, a; Rhode
Island, 4; Maine, 10; Massachusetts, il; Delaware
als Ns% a4mP T65 New York. ~; Vermont
For Richard NJ. Johnson: Illinois, ?; Indiana, 9;
Kentucky, 15-Total %.
Fer Philip p. Barbour: North Carolina, 6; Nir-
ginia %; Maryland, 3; South Carolina, II; Ala
bama, 6-Total 40"
Mr.. Van Buren, having received more
than two-thirds of all the votes cast, was
declared duly nominated as the candidate
for vice president.
In an article last week we stated that
this rule has produced no good, but only
evil.
1t defeated the nomination of any candi-
date for vice. president in 1910, and the
convention actually broke up without a
candidate.
1t defeated Cass in 1874, and nominated
Polk.
1t gave us Cass in lS4S and gave us
defeat.
1t defeated Douglas in 1856, and had
Douglas insisted upon its enforcement it
would have defeated the party. But
Douglas showed his contempt for the rule,
and his reverence for the majority, by tele-
graphing, as soon as he learned that
Buchanan hal received a majority, to
withdraw his name and support Buchanan,
because he had majority. Well do we
remember the excitement in the rooms of
the Illinois delegation in the Burnett
House, when old Dick" Richardson read
the telegram from Douglas Judge
Douglas said ''Mr. Buchanan having re-
ceived a majority is entitled to the nomina-
ton"
The rule defeated Douglas years later
at Charleston, and helped to bring ON a
war aud break down the party.
If the st. Louis convention is.wise. Its
first act will be to repeal it. Unless ii
shall be Immediately repealed there is
great danger that it will produce feelings
and results which will lead to defeat. Il
is not Democratic. 1t is contrary to thu
spirit and principles of our government
and we call upon the St. Louis convention
to bury it with the dead rubbish OF the
buried past
But, to return to the convention: n,
platform or address was adopted by tn
convention resolution was adopted
recommending each state delegation t
issue an address.
The opposition took the name of Ma
tional Republican" and voted for Henri
j Clay for president, and John Sergeant, G
Pennsylvania. for vice president. Ger
Jackson received 2l9 votes, Mr. Clay a!
John Floyd, of Virginia, IL, and Williar
Wort, of Pennsylvania I.
THE SECOND CONVENTION.
y In May 1885 the second Democrat
: national convention was held in Batimor,
d 81 states being represented. No platforl
y was adopted. On the first ballot MART
o Van Buren, received 265 votes--every vol
q - a. y NJ