Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-03

who had encompassed his defeat in 1914, and
he wiped 1t out in his own way. He ac-
cepted the nomination of the free sellers,
though there was no chance OF his election,
and in so doing dealt Cass' candidacy a
heavy and what proved to be a fatal blow.
The wings, on the other hand, when their
success seemed secure, ignored the weighty
and long7standing claims of Clay and Web
ster, and fixed their choice upon Taylor, a
man who doubted his own qualifications for
the presidency and secuted the idea that his
services in the Mexican war entitled him to
such civic distinction. Scott, the real hero
OF the Mexican war, though an active candi-
date and backed by skillful politicians, was
passed over, only to be nominated four years
later, when his defeat was a foregone con,
clusion. Taylor's election closed the political
aspirations of Clay, Van Buren, and Cass,
who had striven more diligently to reach the
presidential office than any other prominent
statesmen Of the time. Webster's ambition,
though he was loath to recognize the fact,
had been wrecked seven years before, when
his hardness in joining in the whig repudia-
ton OF Tyler had provoked GOODNESS in his
party which his long services and eminent
ability could not overcome.
PIERCE NEVER DREAMED OF IT.
Buchanan, Marcy and Douglas were the
leading candidates in the democratic con-
vention Of 1852. All three had ability and
honorable public service to commend them,
anu tHeT lTlenuS nau the promise or VIC
tory at the polls to inspire them with en-
thusiasm. However. it was soon made
clear that none Of them could be nominated.
Had not Daniel S. Dickinson of New York
peremptorily declined to permit his name
to go before the convention he might have
been named in their stead, and Connecticut
politicians used to assert that nothing but
the inability of the delegates from that
state to agree on the name of Thomas H.
Seymour-the New Haven men would have
none of him because he lived in Hartford
prevented his nomination. When more than
forty ballots had been taken in the con-
yention some Of the southern leaders said
to the New Hampshire delegation that any
man unanimously put forward by that state
would receive the support of the south.
The New Hampshire delegates fixed upon
Pierce, who had never dreamed of such an
honor, and the ambition of the great leaders
of ths democracy was baked by a man who
almost unknown outside the confines OF
his own city and state.
ENVY KILLED DOUGLAS.
In 1856 the envy and the personal hatreds
by his brilliant career as a leader
prevented the nomination Of Douglas, and
who, as minister to England, had
been for some years in practical retirement,
was chosen and elected by the democrats.
Here, for the first time in two decades. an
active aspirant for the presidency was sue
cessful in his ambition, and but one similar
Instance mas occurred N the IOrty years that |
have elapsed since that day. The year 1860 !
forever the hopes of attaining that
which had long been cherished by !
Breckenridge and Seward. Lincoln
may have expected at some time to be chosen
but IL Is certain that he was
never an active a~spirant for the office in the
sense in which Douglas and Seward were In
hat day, or in which Clay, Webster, Cass
md Marcy were a decade or two earlier.
Most curious was the combination Of circum-
stances which assured his success and Sew
lrd's defeat. For years the newly formed
epublican party had looked upon Seward as
is natural leader, and his nomination was
regarded as certain to be made.
But Seward had given mortal offense to
Horace Greeley, and the latter was resolved,
I possible, to prevent his nomination. Gree
could not be chosen a delegate from New
York, but he appeared in the convention
With the proxy of a member from Oregon.
The great editor labored night and day to
his purpose, and his efforts were
lded by the voice and influence OF Andrew
!, Curtin and Joseph Lane, the candidates
or governor of Pennsylvania and Indiana,
Who believed that they could not carry their
states in the October election II
'eward was nominated for president. II was
u vital consequence to their party that both
'urtin and Lane should be elected in Oeto-
The OF these three men
royed effective.
hAiEs ANOTHER
An overwhelming and irresistible public
eminent made Grant president, without any
Mort on his part 10 mould o. direct it. but
rants successor. Eayes, was in every way
n accidental candidate. In the months pre-
edlng the republican convention OF 1876 It
eemed certain that Blaine would be the
ominee. He had for years been forging to
ne front as a party leader OF ability, force
nd magnetism, and his popularity equaled
Of Clay in a by-gone time, Ingersoll
laced him in nomination in a speech still
emembered for its eloquence and earnest
and in the number OF delegates pledged
ltes. Still. he was defeated! Why? Be- 0
fuse. II Is said. he had once failed 10 keep 6