The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-06-30

candidates for President aud Vice
Preside,t met. The example was set,
curiously eaough, not by either Of the
regular political parties, but by the
faction which came into existence
solely to oppose the secret order Of
Masonry. II is worth while to notice
that II was this movement which gave
an opening to the public careers OF
two men who afterward rose, one to
the Presidency, the other to the Sen
ate and the Sccretaryship Of State.
These we're William II. Seward and
Millard Fillmore. The Anti-Masonic
party grew out Of the excitement pro
duccd by the mysterious disappear
ance Of William Morgan, member
Of the order who was supposed "a
have divulged its secrets. In Sep
tember, 1881, n National Convention
Of this party assembled at Baltimore.
John MI.can, Of Ohio, since judge Of
the United States Supreme Court, was
adopted rs their candidate for the
Presidency, but he promptly declined.
The convention then ten,lered the NOM
nation to the famous lawyer, William
Writ, formerly Attorney-General, who
accepted IL; and Amos Ellmaker, Of
Pennsylvania, was added to the ticket
a, candidate for Vice-President.
The caucus system was now evident
ly extinct; no party would have dared
to attempt its revival. The system Of
National Conventions, exempli6ed by
the Anti-masons, was seen to be the
only feasible substitute. As the sup
porters Of jackson now called them
selves "Democrats," so his opponents
adopted the designation Of National
Republicans" The latter party was
first in the field TO call National Con.
veniion, and this convention met at
Baltimore in December. 1881. Its
session was brief, for public opinion
had already marked out Henry Clay
as its candidate. Clay was nominated
on the first ballot, and John Sergeant
was given the second place on the
ticket. Thus the opposition TO Jack
son which was strenuous and hot, was
vet divided at the start of the race be-
tween Clay and Writ.
The Legislature Of New Hampshire
issued the first call at this time for a
Democratic National Convention-the
first of that long series Of powerful and
exciting conclaves which have 50 Of
ten designated our rulers since. This
body met in Nav, 1882. The Democ-
racy rallied in large numbers at Balti-
more. which may be called the City Of
Conventions, as well as of Monuments,
so often has il been chosen for their
meeiing.place. General Lucas, Of
Ohio, was chosen president One OF
the first montioas passed by this con-
vcntion was to adopt the famous two
thirds rule, which more than once af.
terward did deadly work with the as
piratious of statesmen. The form OF
this rule as adopted at Baltimore was
as follows:
"Resolred, That each State to he en-.
titled, in the nomination to be made a
candidate for the Vice-Presidency, to
u number Of votes equal tn the number
that they will be entitled to in the
Electoral Colleges under the new ap-
portionment in voting for President
and Vice-President; aud that two
thirds Of the whole number of votes
in the convention shall be necessary to
constitute choice
There was no doubt at all of the re-
nomination of President jackson and
the wording Of the first part of this
resolution is explained by the fact that
the contest was upon the nominee for
Vice-President. John {. Calhoun had
occupied this office, but had separated
from the jackson party, and had be-
come the apostle Of notification. o::'
the other hand, Martin Van Buren,,
one Of the shrewdest of politicians,
aud the Presidents most familiar
friend, had been rejected for minister
to England by the Wing Senate. Gen
eral Jackson was understood 70 be
very desirous that Van Buren, should
have the second place on the ticket
and as the convention was composed
largely Of Jacksops adherents. Van
Buren was nomiuatEd on the first bal
lot. receiving 20S votes, ts I9 fol
Philip Barbonr. OF Virginia, and q
for Colonel Richard NJ. johnson, o.
Kentucky.
The result Of the campaign thus in
augurated by the first National Con
vention in our history was terribl,
disasterous to Mr.. Clay, and was th'
second on the long series of his defeat
in attempting to reach the Presidency
General jackson was reelected by 2l'
electoral votes Mr.. Clay had but 40
Writ carried Vermont's 7 votes; Penn
sylyaniacast its vote for William VII
A a