Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-25
the past has ever dared to venture upon the

.
nificent record as a union general and OF
having been twice elected president, and
never defeated BY his party for anything,
the Republican party flushed with power
and popular favor, did not, even for the
qualification of Gen Grant and his host OF
enthusiastic Republican supporters, dare
risk the experiment OF attempting third
nomination, even in case of 2 candidate who
had been successful in both Of his previous
races and who at that time was the most
popular living American. Whether such
an exception if made by the Democrats viii
be wise one when the question Is sub
mitted to popular vote is yet 10 be deter
mined l suppose it has been taken for
granted by both parties in the past that II
was not safe as a party movement or was
not good politics to try man second time
If he has been once defeated while in OH &c.
Let me state what was the Democratic
practice in a very noted case. In 1928 Gen.
4 ndrew Jackson was nominated by the
Dem ecratic convention and elected presi-
dent Of the United States, and John G.
Calhoun who had been vice-president for
the previous term under the admins tration
of the younger Adams was elected vice
president again on the ticket with Jackson.
During the term Jackson and Calhoun
differed, and Jackson threw Calhoun over
board, if l may use the expression, and
threw all of his patronage to Martin Van
dent. In 1892 the Democratic ticket was
Jackson for president and Van Buren, for
vice-president, and the ticket was elected
over Henry Clay, the Wing candidate. In
1886 Martin Van Buren, was nominated and
elected by the Democracy as the regular
Democratic candidate and Richard M.
Johnson was elected ce-preSident, William
Henry Harrison, Daniel Webster and Hugh
L. White were voted for in opposition to
Van Buren,. In 1S49 true to usage the
Democratic convention nominated Van
Buren, for a second term. The Wings put
in nomination William Henry Harrison for
president and John Tyler for vice-presi-
dent and after very heated ard extra
ordinary campaign Harrison was elected,
and Van Buren,, the Democratic incumbent,
was defeated.
The friends of Van Buren,, including
Gen. Jackson, were very much mortified at
this result, and it was determined that Van
Buren, should have another chance, and in
1874, when the Democratic convention met
it was ascertained that Van Buren, had a
majority Of the members of the convention
favorable to his nomination. Van Buren,
at that time was not in favor with the
Southern Democracy, as he was not thought
to be sound upon the slavery question, Just
as Grover Cleveland is now somewhat I'M
popular with some of the Democracy on
account of his position on the silver ques-
ton.
After mature consultation the members
of the convention thought it unwise and
that it would probably prove unsuccessful
to nominate Van Buren, after he had been
defeated by the popular vote, and in con-
formity to the usage Of the party they de-
termined not TO do So To avoid that re-
suit, as Van Buren, had a majority of the
convention, they adopted the two-thirds
rule, and under the Jwo-thIrds rule they
took up James K. Polk, made him the nom
inee, and he was elected over Henry Clay,
the great leader of the Wing party.
Here was case exactly in point. Van
Buren, was the popular nominee in 1896 and
was elected Democratic president. In 1910,
the Democratic party, in conformity to
usage, again made him its leader and nom
mated him for a second term. He was de-
feated as MIR. Cleveland was in the last
election. He and his friends, as is the case
with Mr.. Cleveland and his friends, were
not content with the result. and determined
to do all they could to give him another
chance to serve q second term. After
mature reflection, however, 1t was thought
by majority of the party that it was IN
wise to violate usage and make such a NOM
ination, and he was disposed of by the two
thirds rule, and James K. Polk was NOM
mated in his place and elected.
If Demo cratic usage amounts to anything,
or Democratic precedent is to be considered,
then this inevitably disposes of Mr.. Cleve-
land for another term, and it would be
more in conformity with the usages of the
Democratic party to nominate Senator Hill
or some other good man as the Democratic
candidate. And let IL be remembered that
the government of the United States is
now one hundred years old. and that this
usage of both great political parties not to
nominate the same man three successive
times for president, whether elected the
second time or rot, has been uniform and
without exception.
When we take into consideration the long
and valuable services of Senator Hill as
governor of New York to the Democracy,
and the recent fact that by master stroke
of policy be secured q Democratic majority
in the legislature of New York and re-
deemed the state from the rule of the
party, and has placed it within
the control of the Democratic party, for
many years to come, it would seem that no
other Democrat has done mere for his party
or has more richly merited its honors and
emoluments. Grover Cleveland being out
of the way as a candidate for the Demo-
cratic nomination by the unbrokeu usage of
the Democratic party, Senator Hill, by his
wisdom in council and his ability in execu<Ai
ton, looms up head and shoulders above
any other aspirant His nomination by the
Democratic convention viii be followed by
success at the ballot box, which will cause
all the branches of the Federal government
TO pass again under the control of the Dem
ocratic party.
At this juncture of our affairs, let me re-
mark that the division attempted to be |
gotten up in the Democratic party by the |
formation of a third party is most unfortu- |
nate, and if persisted in and is successful, |
will be most disastrous to the Democratic |
party, and most unfortunate for the South |
ern people, and especially the white people |
Of the South who understand very well the |
supreme Importance of holding together |
and acting together. l cannot think that |
the patriotic citizens of the Southern section |
Of the Union can afford to tolerate division |
in the face of the disasters which would |
necessarily result. If we stand Back as |
heretofore and present solid South, and |
the Democratic party in convention NOM
mates q candidate who can carry what have
been usually known as the doubtful states
already mentioned, we have a glorious
triumph in reserve for US. Let US hope that
no unwise step will be taken, no unfortu-
nate division tolerated, but that every Dem
1crat will be ready to make any and all sac
rifces which are necessary for the success
If his party and to defend the great public
interest involved. I am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
1