The National tribune., 1888-11-15
PRESIDENTS AS CANDIDATES.

ignorance of American history. a few months
ago it did not know who was Gen. George
Rogers Clarke the brilliant leader who won
for us all the country that now constitutes
the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michi-
gan and Wisconsin. Last week it said that
in the history of the United States but
two Presidents have been defeated for re-
election-Martin Van Buren, in 1910 and
Grover Cleveland in 1885,"
We did not suppose that any editor of
the County printing in the remote back
woods would show such ignorance as this,
let alone metropolitan newspaper" which
makes pretense to "culchah." In place of
but two Presidents having been defeated at
the polls when candidates for reelection,
there were four-John Adams John Quincy
Adams, Martin Van Buren,, Grover CIeve
land-or five, if we include Willard Fill
more, who was candidate four years after
leaving Office.
A review of the history of the Presidents,
and their attempts to secure reelection, may
be interesting.
Washington was unanimously reelected
for a second term, and declined third.
John Adams was put in nomination in
1896 by the Federal Party and Thomas JEFF
ferson by the Republicans. Adams received
II electoral votes, and was declared Presi-
dent, while Jefferson received 68, and was
declared Vice-President.
The Federalists renominated John Adams
in 1900, and the Republicans Jefferson, with
Aaron Burr on the ticket with him. Adams
received 65 electoral votes, while Jefferson
and Burr each received 10
In those days each EIector voted for two
candidates for President. The one which
received the highest number-if a majority
was declared President, and the next Vice
President. Under this rule came the famous
deadlock of 1901 on account of Burr and JEFF
ierson both claiming the Presidency. The
election was thrown into the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, which, after weeks of bitter
wrangling, declared Jefferson President and
Burr Vioe-President.
Jefferson had himself renominated in 1904
and was reelected, receiving 162 votes to
IA for c. c. Pinckney
He followed Washington's example, de-
clined third term, and threw his influence
in favor of James Madison, who was elected
in 1908. receiving 122 votes to Al for G. G.
Pinclney and for Geo. Clinton.
Madison was reelected in 1912, receiving
1913 votes to 50 for Dewitt Clinton, Federal
list; James Monroe succeeded him, being
elected in 1916 by 1913 votes to 81 for Rufus
King. He was reelected in 1920, receiving
231 votes to for John Quincy Adams.
In 1924 Andrew Jackson received so
electoral votes, John @. Adams 81, VIM Il.
Crawford Al, and Henry Clay 81. No one
having received a majority, the election was
thrown into the House, where - States
Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri,
New Hampshire New York, Ohio, Rhode
Island and Vermont-voted for Adams, and
elected him, Jackson being supported by
seven States and Crawford by four.
In 1928 John @ Adams was candidate
for reelection, and received 80 electoral
votes to 178 for Andrew Jackson.
Jackson had himself renominated, and in
1886, at the close of his second term, had
Martin Van Buren, nominated as his sue
cessor.
In 1910 Martin Van Buren, was a candi-
date for reelection, and received go votes to
234 for w H. Harrison.
John Tyler, who succeeded to the Presi-
dency on the death of Gen. Harrison, was
very anxious for reelection. He had him
self renominated by a convention-ma up
mainly of men holding Office under him
which met in Baltimore in May, 1914, but
the ticket received so little popular support
that in August he withdrew.
Van Buren, was again a candidate for
nomination in 1874 and received more than
majority of the votes in the Democratic
Convention, but was defeated by the enforce
ment of the two-thirds rule. He was can
didate of the Barnburner Democrats and
Free Sellers in 1913, but did not carry a
State.
Before he got the nomination in 1914 Polk
had to pledge himself not to accept a re-
nomination, so that Lewis Cass was nomi-
mated in 1913. to be defeated by Gen Zach
airy Taylor. Willard Fillmore, who sue
ceeded to the Presidency on Gen. Taylor's
death, became unpopular in the North on
account of signing the Fugitive Slave Law,
and did not get the Wing nomination in
1852; but ne was nominated by the Ameri-
cans in 1856, and received votes to ia for
Fremont and TIA Tor Buchanan.
Pierce was a candidate for denomination