The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-08-19
1S4S.
A Bad Split Occurs in the Democrat
Party.

A Bad Split Occurs in the Democratic
Party.
The Democratic State Convention organized
by appointing David T. Disney, of Hamilton.
permanent Chairman, and Jabez w. Fitch,
of Cuyahoga, Secretary.
The balloting for Governor resulted as fol-
lows: John B. Weller, l2I; Reuben Wood. SO;
Emory D. Potter, 1S; P. P. Lowe, 10; Douty
Utter, Is; ". c. Walton, Is; Wm.Lawrence, 5;
Alexander Duncan, Is Second ballot: John
B. Weller, l46; Reuben Wood, lis; Alexander
Duncan, l9; P. P. Lowe, 4.
The convention then proceeded to vote for
delegates at large to the National Conven-
tion. There did not seem to be any "slate" at
this convention. every man running on his
own merits. Messrs. Edgerton and Disney
were chosen. There were twenty-seven dis
trict delegates.
GENERAL. cAss THE FAvoRIrE.
The delegation from Ohio voted for General
Cass for President. The Democratic National
Convention assembled at Baltimore on the
23d of May. Andrew Stevenson, of Virginia,
was Chairman of the Convention. New York
then, as in later years, made the trouble.
The "Hunkers" sent one delegation; the Van
Burenites, or "Barnburners," sent another.
The convention decided to admit both dele
cations, which satisfied neither. and both
declined to take part in the convention.
General Cass was nominated on the fourth
ballot, the leading candidates against him
being Levi Woodbury.. of New hampshire,
and James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania.
William o. Butler, of Kentucky, was nomi-
mated for Vice-President on the third ballot
The Barnburners, or
VAN BURESIrEs.
Held a convention at Utica. N. Y, on the
22d of June, which was attended by delegates
from most of the Northern States. and a few
from Virginia, Delaware and Maryland, and
this convention nominated Martin Van
Buren, for President and Charles Francis
Adams for Vice-President. This split in the
Democratic party, and the declaration of the
platform that the Baltimore Convention had
been held under slave-hold dictation, caused
the defeat of General Cass and the election of
Zachary Taylor. Ohio voted for General Cass.
COLONEL JOHN z. WELLER,
The Democratic candidate for Governor in
ls4S, was native of Ohio, and served as a
ments in the. Mexican War. He was in Con-
gress from 1883 to ls45 from the Butler dis
trict, and was an able and fluent speaker. He
| was defeated for Governor by only 364 votes
| in a total vote of nearly three hundred thou
sand by Mordecai P. BartIey, of Ashland,
Wing Weller made a thorough campaign of
| the State, and was styled "John B. Weller
the clustering Feller," by the Wings. De-
feated in October by an Insignificant majority
on Governor, the Democracy rallied and car
ried the State for Cass in November. Colonel
Weller was the first United States Commis-
sioner to Mexico. and finally made California
his residence. In 1851, three years after his
defeat for Governor of Ohio, he was elected
to the United States Senate from California.
In December, 1850, he was appointed Minister
to Mexico by Buchanan. In 1864 he was q
delegate from California to the Democratic
National Convention AT Chicago. This was
his last political trust, and he died at New
| Orleans in August, 1875.