Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-18

TN \NSss and ls4s are likely 10 be
an -L-sA repeated in the effort to
repeal the two-thirds
.tTNi HIl.1sNy rule, which has become
tuEf TNf~ almost q cardinal prin-
ciple in the party. No
effort has been made for some years to abro-
gate that dme-honored rule, but indications
are not wanting that such an effort will be made
In the interest Of q candidate who may have on
the first ballot majority Of the convention. A
review Of the contests which took place in the
democratic convention Of 1874, when the rule
was first adopted, and again in ls4s. when the
oefeated delegates from New York withdrew
irom the convention, may interest and in
measure instruct the present generation in the
political inner history Of the party which is
soon to assemble in convention 20 select the
standard bearer for the coming presidential
contest OF November next. The first conven-
ton with which had any personal experience
was the democratic convention presided over
by Hendrick B. Wright Of PENNSYLVANIA, which
met at Baltimore on the 9th OF May, ls44
The nomination OF Mr.. Van Buren, was Rener-
ally expected, as il was known he had majority
OF the convention in his favor. The friends of
Gen Cass, it was charged, in order to defeat Mr..
Van Buren, offered a resolution requiring two
thirds of the votes of the convention necessary
TO the choice Of the nominee for President and
Vice President This was following out the
plan first adopted in 1882 and which had been
the rule OF democratic conventions after that
time. A long and bitter debate ensued Robt
j. Walker leading in favor of the rule and Ben
tamin Z. Butler Of New York in opposition
toll. Mr.: Butler denounced the rule as un-
wise and dangerous and charged IL was intended
TO throw Mr.. Van Buren,, who had a majority,
out OF the convention. Mr.. Romulous NJ
Saunders OF North Corolina and Messrs. Hub
u<.fr a1<so A. IA
but 1t was adopted by a vote of 14s to lis and
has been reaffirmed by the democratic conven-
tons which have met since that dav. The nomi-
nation OF Mr.. Polk was made on the third day,
but previous to the nomination the barnburn-
ers withdrew from the convention.
BARSBURNERs AND HUSKRRs.
In ls4s, May "a, the democratic convention
met at Baltimore and Andrew Stevenson pre-
sided over its deliberations The two-thirds
rule was again the bone of contention. @. G.
Cambreling, Gov. Samuel J. Tilden and Pres
ton King were the leaders of the barnburners
and Daniel s. Dickinson led the hunkers Gov.
Iilden, on the question Of the right Of the barn.
burners to seats in the convention refused a
reference to the committee on credentials and
asked to be heard by the whole convention.
This was refused and the barnburners declined
the offer Of seats with the hunkers. Mr.. Dick
enson when he arose to reply to Gov Tilden
was interrupted repeatedly, and said il those
who interrupted him did not like what he had
to say they could withdraw, which the barn
burners did. refusing to take part in the pro-
ceedings, after denouncing the two-thirds rule
cratic doctrine laid down by Jefferson. Mr..
Dickinson cast the vote Of the state for Gen.
Cass, who was nominated.
The barnburners met in convention at Utica
on the ed Of June and nominated Mr.. Van
Buren, and Charles Francis Adams which ticket
vUnC udn .t1fh v-< ~ n
ventiors and caused the defeat Of General Cass
and the election OF General Taylor. Since that
time no effort has been made to repeal the two
thirds rule. 1t has remained as dogma Of the
party and its influence has never been cues
toned as securing candidate acceptable to the
democratic party throughout the country.
NIB. CLAWS LETTER.
The inside history Of the letters written by
Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Van Buren, in 1874 is not
generally known. II was regarded as q fixed
fact that these two gentlemen would be the
personal relations existing between Mr.. Clay
and Mr.. Van Buren, were Of the most friendly
nature. They entertained the same views on
the question OF the annexation Of Texas, and
they had agreed to write letters on that SUBJ
tect which would withdraw that question from
the canvass. Mr.. Gays letter was written on
the 18th Of April, 1874, from Raleigh, N. c., and
sent to the National Intellegencer for publica-
ton. Mr.. Gales was opposed TO its publica.
ton on the eve Of the meeting of the vhie con-
vention at Baltimore on the LIST Of Nav. and
withheld il until Mr.. CLAY should arrive as he
was then en- route to this CITY, In about week
Mr.. Clay arrived, and Mr.. Gales visited him
and suggested the letter be withheld from pub
location for the present, but Mr.. CLAW refused
to receive the suggestion, and on
Mr.. Gales return he was excited and
said Mr.. Clay had treated him like
a schoolboy. Mr.. seaton then saw Mr.. CLAY,
but failed to move him, and in the afternoon OF
the same day was sent to request Mr.. Clay TO
consent to delay the publication for forty-eieht
hours. Mr.. Clay was the guest of Mr.. VIM. A.
Bradley. then living on Maryland avenue be-
tween 9th and 7th streets found Mr.. CLAY
alone and made known to him the desire for a
postponement Of the publication, when he
burst into storm of excitement and shouted:
mo, sir! not day. Tell Messrs. Gales Seaton
If that letter does not appear in the National
Inteitigencer tomorrow morning will send II
to Messrs. Blair 4 Rives," then publishers Of
the Globe. His excitement was 40 great II
startled me- which he observed and nutaino
his hand on INV shoulder he said. 1T hare hae9
SO ANNOYED by these efforts 10 prevent M Views
being known that I cannot submit 70 Hanger
delay"