Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-08-01
HISTORICAL PARALLELS,
Singular Similitudes in the Presi-
Dental Campaigns Of 1874
and 1884.

Tie very striking similarity be-
tween the respective position of the
Democratic and the Republican par
ties of to-day and that of the Demo-
cratic and Whig parties of lSlI i'll
duces me to call attention TO this
singular political coincidence. llar-
rison and Tyler, Wing candidates
wclr elected in 1910. Iiaraison died,
and in 1871 Tl les succeeded him,
lie Immediately had serious disa-
grcements with some Of the Wing
leaders, both in his Cabinet and i'll
Congress. Mr.. Clay iiercely opposed
him, and so strong was his arraign-
mcnt that i'll five months after Tyler'S
accession every member of his Cat
met except Mr.. Webster resigned.
Harrison was President one month
TYLER the rcmainderof the term.
In 1880 Garfield and Arthur were
elected. Soon Garfield died and Ar
thur succeeded him. lie immediate
| ly had serious disgreements with
many OF the leading Republicans,
both in his Cabinet and out of ii. In
short time after his succession cv-
cry member Of his Cabinet except Mr.,
Lincoln resigned. Garfield was
President less than year; Arthur
the remainder of the term.
Tyler wished to succeed himself,
but was beaten by Mr. Clay. Arthur
wished to succeed himself, but was
beaten by Mr.. Blaine.
The admirers of Mr.. Blaine have
compared him to Mr.. Clay, and, in
deed, he is to the Republican party
of to-day what Mr.. Clay was 10 the
Wing party of 1871. On the lst OF
May, 1874, in Baltimore, Mr.. Clay
was nominated by the Wings with
enthusiasm, with no platform except
a brief extract from one of his OWL
letters embraced in single resolu'
ton. Mr. Clay was the most prom
inent man in his party. lie was
emphatically the "magnctic" candl'
date. Against this man, whose fame
was worldwide, the Democrats nom
mated Mr.. Polk, a man comparative
" unknown. Mr.. Clay had no oppo'
sition in his convention. Mr.. Blaine
had but little in his. The personali'
ty of each carried him through. In
the Democratic convention of All the
unknown Mr.. Polk was opposed by
the distinguished leaders, Mr.. Var
Buren, and Gen. Cass, Behind Mr.
Polk was Gen. jackson, who, though
aged and iniirm, and retired fron
public life, was the IDOL Of the Dem
ocracy. Mr., Clay's followers were
wildly enthusiastic, and felt certain o
his election. Mr.. Clay himself was
serious and uneasy as to the result
He knew that Jackson was' bchin(
Mr.. Polk, and he had occasion K
know his power, as he had felt it be
fore. In 4 private letter, atterwarl
, published, Mr., Clay wrote; "Wt
: should have pretty time of 1t, witt
one of Jackson's .Lieutenants a
Washington aud another at Frank
fort, and the old man in his dotagc Il
the Hermitage debating to both
Though Mr.. Clay refers to "his do
tage," the old mans intellect was Il
clear and his spirit as strong as whe
!. he compelled the British to surrende
!, at New Orleans.
l In 1874 the pivotal State was NeN
q York. Mr.. Blaine, in his Twent
Years of Congress, page 80 volume
5 gives this graphic description of tn
canvass No contest for the Pres
@ dency, either before or since, has bee
Q conducted with such intense enorg
and such deep feeling. Mr.. Clay
followers were not ordinary politics
supporters. They had the profoun
:, personal attachment which Is locke
q for only in hereditary government
where loyalty becomes a passion, an
: is blind and unmeOning in its adhel
: ence and its devotion. The logici
= argument Of such ardent fidelity is a
:, opposition marked by unscrupt
y lous rancor, This case proved no el
o ception. The love of Mr.. Clay
,- friends was equaled by the hatred