Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-24
Republican National Conventions.

The time and place Of the next Repub-
lican national convention having now been
definitely fixed, 1t will be found exceedingly
interesting to take glance backward over
the several conventions held by the party
since its organization, now quarter of a
century since.
| The first national convention of the Re-
publican party was held at Pittsburgh on
the 22d of February, 1856. 1t was devoted
to consultation merely, no nominations hay
ing been made. The first national Repub-
lican nominating convention met at Phila-
delphia June 18th, 1856. Colonel Henry S.
Lane of Indiana presided. General Ere
mont was nominated for president on the
first ballot, receiving $50 votes to 1876 for
John Mclean of Ohio. William L. Dayton
of New Jersey was nominated for vice-pres-
ident, his principal competitor being Abra-
ham Lincoln. Dayton received $50 votes,
Lincoln 10. The convention of 1860 was
held at Chicago, May 10th. George Ash
nun of Massachusetts, presided. Abraham
Lincoln, on the third ballot, received within
p votes enough to nominate him. Before
the result was announced changes were
made which gave him 1854 out of the 466
votes of the convention. The nomination
was made unanimous. Hannibal Hamlin
was nominated for vice-president on the
| second ballot. The other leading candi-
date for the place was Cassius M. Clay.
| The third convention Of the grand series,
"the Union national convention" as it was
called assembled at Baltimore, June T. 1854
Rev. Robert j. Breckenridge, DID,, of Ken
lucky, was made temporary chairman, and
Ex-Governor William Denison of Ohio, per-
manent president. The rebel states were
not represented. Henry j. Raymond re-
ported the platform. Lincoln was renomi-
| mated on the first ballot. He received the
votes of all the delegates save those from
| Missouri, who named General Grant. Andy
| johnson, on the first ballot, received 200
votes for vice-president to los for Daniel
5. Dickinson, $50 for Hannibal Hamin,
and so scattering On the second ballot
johnson was nominated.
The national convention of 1858 met at
Chicago, May Goth. General Hawley pre-
sided. On the first ballot for president, $50
votes were cast, Of which General Grant re-
ceived $50. Five ballots were taken for
president, the fifth ballot being as fol-
lows Colfax, 224 Wade, 100; Fenton, 1888;
Wilson, 81 Hamlin, 10. The unanimous
nomination of Colfax followed. The ma
tional convention of 1872 met at Phila-
dephia, June 9th. Thomas Settle of North
Carolina presided. General Grant was nomi-
mated on the first ballot, receiving all the
votes of all the states, 1852 in ALL Henry
| Wilson was nominated for vice-president on
the first ballot, 1914 votes being cast for
him, and 32lt for Colfax. The national
convention of 1875 was held at Cincinnati,
June 18th. Edward Mcpherson of Pennsyl-
vania presided. Rutherford B. Hayes was
nominated for the presidency on the seventh
ballot, the vote standing: Hayes, 3S4
Blaine, 351 Bristow, 81. William A.
| Wheeler was nominated for president,
receiving $40 votes as against 6S for Cen
eral Woodland, SO for Marshall Jewell and
Al for Mr.. Frelinghuysen.