Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-01-10
A Lesson from History.

The present complication in respect TO the |
Presidency finds parallel, in some sense, in |
the circumstances attending the election of
Thomas Jefferson during the closing year of
the last century. Let the wisdom and patriot
ism of the past be our guide in the sacrad
duties of the present. The historical events
were collated by contemporary;
The closing year of the last century wit
messed an exciting political contest in our
country. The Presidential term of the elder
Adams was about to expire, and successor
must be chosen. The real leader of the
Federal party was Alexander Hamilton but
that party was losing its prominence Ar
rayed against it was a strong party, bearing
the name of Republican, under the leader
ship of jefferson. Events indicated that it
would soon become the dominant party in
the country. At that early time it was GUS
tomary for either party to hold a national
convention, but nominations were made by
Congressional caucuses. The Republican
members of Congress accordingly designated
Thomas jefferson and Aaron Burr TO be
voted for by the electors of their party. On
the other hand John Adams and Charles c.
Pinckney were put in nomination by the
Federalists.
At the period named, the original pro-
vision of the constitution, relative to the
choice of President and vice-President, was
in force. That provision ordained that
every elector should designate two persons,
one of whom, at least should not be of the
same state with himself, for these Offices.
The one who received the largest vote, pro-
vided it exceeded the number of half of the
electors, was to be President, and the person
receiving the next largest vote was to be
Vice-President. If the two highest candi-
dates, however, received an equal number,
the House of Representatives was to desig-
nate which Of them should be President of
the United States.
Although John Adams was one of the
candidates of the Federal party, it was an
open secret that Hamilton and many of the
other leaders of the party bore him no ex-
traordinary affection, aud it was hoped by
many that Pinckney, who was a native of
South Carolina, would receive the vote of
his own state, and be made President. In
that case it mattered not to Hamilton and
his friends whether Jefferson or Adams be-
came Vice-President. The result disap-
pointed their hopes, however. Jefferson and
n,, Ia 30 6 lo 10 a.
of South Carolina, and a jor vote in the
country at large. When the returns came
in it was found that Jefferson and Burr had
each received seventy three votes, and Adams
had obtained but sixty-fve. An elector in
Rhode Island gave one vote for John JAY
which had reduced Pinckney's vote to sixty
four. The House of Representatives, voting
by states, must therefore decide whether
jefferson or Burr should be made President.
The Federalsts had decided majority of
the members of the House, but could not
command majority of the states. But as
a number of the states were equally divided,
the Republican party were alike powerless.
Their preference was, of course, for Jeffer-
son, and they had seen with great annoyance
that both their candidates had obtained an
equal number of votes. In this condition Of
affairs, the bulk of the Federals entertained
the thought of disappointing Jefferson and
annoying his supporters by giving the first
office to Burr. And one ground of their pref
erence was the fact that Burr was North
ern man and it was reckoned that sense of
gratitude might incline him to favor the
policy and members of the Federal party.
To this scheme, however, Hamilton gave no
countenance. lie wrote to friend: al
trust New England, at least, will not so far
lose Its head as to fall into the snare. There
is no doubt that upon every prudent and vir-
tuous calculation, jefferson is to be prefer.
red. lie is by far notso dangerous man,
and he has pretentions to character. As to
Burr, there is nothing in his favor. His
private character is not defended by his
most partial friends"
The second Wednesday in February, 1901,
arrived, and the House of Representatives
were invited to the Senate chamber to wit
ness the opening and counting of the cleo.
toral votes. jefferson being the Vice-Presi-
dent, presided as President of the Senate,
and announced the result. Before repairing
to the Senate chamber, however, the House
had resolved, that, in case no candidate
should have a majority of electoral votes,
they would Immediately return to their own
hall, and there remain in session, without
engaging in any other business, till Presi-
dent were chosen. Seats were TO be fur
nished on the floor for the President and
the Senators but during the balloting the
galleries were to be cleared and the doors
closed.
On the first ballot eight states voted for
jefferson, six for Burr, and two were divided.
Two or three members were so sick as to be
brought to the House on their beds. TWEEN
tynine ballots were had, occupying the House
till the following day at noon, with the same
result. The House remained in session, with
out any nominal adjournment, for week
but after sitting out the first night they
evaded their resolution by substituting a
recess 1t had been privately agreed by a
number of the Federal Representatives, that
they would not push their hostility to JEFF
ferson to any factious extreme If Burr or
his friends could secure the support of any
of the divided states, they would assist in
his election. The time might come, however,
when the general veal would demand that
they should yield. And that time came. Burr
was unsuccessful in his efforts. Meantime
the public mind had become greatly excited
Although it was before the days of telegraph
or even railroads, news was forwarded to
the more populous centres, aud threats were
muttering and protests laundering. The
remoteness and smallness of Washington
were the protection of Congress for the
opinion was expressed that had it been
sitting in Philadelphia, the House would
have been invaded by mob.
On the sixth day of the ballotting, Bay,
ard of Delaware, whose vote could decide
the action of his own state, called a general
meeting of the Federal members, and it was
finally agreed that Burr had no chance, and
| that Jefferson must be elected On the