The Washington critic., 1888-04-07

The tlrSt regularly called national
convention of political character was
held in Baltimore September 20, 1881,
and was composed Of i16 delegates,
representing IS States. Its purpose
was to nominate an Anti-AIasonic
candidate with the view of driving
Clay out of the field. William Writ
was placed in nomination, but on ac-
count Of Clay's refusal to withdraw
he virtually abandoned the contest
and at the election received only q
few scattering votes.
CLAY's NOMINATION.
The opponents of Jackson's Admin
istration met in convention at Balli-
more, December II, 1881, but tits not
known who first suggested this pro.
ceeding. There were 100 delegates,
including five from the District Of Co
lumbia. James Barbour of Virginia
was president of the convention and
ClDy>-%iis nominated with great en-
thusiasm and unanimity. AT this
convention the proposition was made
and discussed at some length to hold
q National Convention of Mechanics,
the first evidence on record Of an at
tempt TO bring the workingmen ofthe
country as class into politics.
THE ENSUING CAMPAIGN.
The campaign was vigorously y fought
during the winter in Washington,
Mr.. Clay leading his forces in person
and directing the general management
of the canvass. The following ac-
count of other events in this memo
rable contest Is from an interesting
article on the subject contributed to
the Boston T,dellCr!
"cLAY's INFANT SCHOOL"
The Young Mems National Repub-
lican Convention met in Washington
on Monday, the 9TH day of May, 1882.
Nearly every State in the Union was
represented, and there were present
3l6delegates, among whom were many
who afterward became eminent in
public life. William Cost johnson of
Maryland presided, and among the
vice-presidents were Charles James
Faulkner OF Virginia, William Pitt
Fessenden of Maine and George
w. Burnett of Ohio. The most
of the time of the conven-
ton was spent in speech-mak-
ing, and the interest eliminated on
Friday when Mr. Clay was conducted
to the convention, and each member
was personally presented to him. A
strong platform was adopted declar-
ing for protection to American indus.
try, for a uaiform system of internal
improvements, for fearless and in
dependent exercise of the constitu-
tional functions of the United States
Senate, and denouncing in vigorous
terms the course Of the administra-
ton, especially in the matter of re-
moyals from office and its conduct of
affairs with foreign nations. This
convention was dubbed by the Jack
son men as "Clay's Infant School," )"
and the Democratic press affected to
regard it only with contempt and ridi.
clile.
VAN Bl'REN AND THE yIoE-rRE5tDENoY
So far as Presidential candidate
was concerned, there was no need OF
holding. II National Democratic Con-
vention. But there was the Vice
Presidency, and the plan of the
Jackson managers was to get Van
Buren before the county. Martin
Van Buren,, however, was not in the
same favor with the masses of the
Democratic party that he was with
the chief, II was known that Penn
sylyania would bitterly oppose him,
and it was certain that Calhoun would
make trouble in the South, where he
had great influence. Under date OF
! May %, 1891, Colonel Lewis wrote to
Amos Kendall, who was then in Con
cord, n. H., outlining a plan for 9
National Democratic Convention tC
nominate a candidate for the Vice
Presidency, and suggesting that the
Legislature Of New Hampshire
take the initiative in calling
such convention. OF course Amos
Kendall talked the matter over
with Isaac Hill, and the result was a
meeting of 100 members Of the New
Hampshire Legislature the latter
part of June, at which it was recon-
mended that general convention oi
Observation-Disclosures friendly to
| the reelection of General Jackson
''to consist Of delegates equal to the
number of electors of President il
each State be held in Baltimore OF
the third Monday of May. 1882, Il
nominate candidate for Vice Presi
dent and to take such other measures
in support of the reelection of An
drew Jackson as may be deemed ex
pedient." This recommendation wa
Endorsed by the Democrats of othe
State Legislatures and constituted tn
formal call for
THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
The convention met at Baltimor
on the 2lst of May, 1882, every Stat
except Missouri being represented
The call having originated with NeN
Hampshire, the convention was Yer
properly called to order by Mr.. Sum
ner of that State. General RobeI
Lucas Of Ohio was chosen temporar
| chairman, and John A. Dix of NeN
York temporary secretary, who wer
afterward made permanent officers
with several yice-presidents aud as
sistant secretaries. Committees ol
credentials and rules were appointed
and, following the example of tn
two preceding conventions, the Ver
cradle Carroll Of Camollton was in
| yited to take a seat in the convention
| but, as on the two previous occasions
he declined. The Committee on Rule
reported
THE FAMOUS TWO THIRDS RULE,
which has proved the political deaf
of so many aspirants for the Demo
cratic Presidential nomination.
was adopted as follows
Reso'ud, That each State be entitled IN Il
nomination for the Vicc-Presldenc % nun
Der Of votes eqnal to the number to whlC
they are entitled In the Electoral Colleg,
under the new aportonment, In voting Il
Presldent and NineH HresIdent. and TINT tM