The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-06-24
Republican National Conventions.

The convention, which met at 81.
Louis on Tuesday, 18th inst, was the
eleventh Republican National Conven-
ton held in the history of modern pol
itics. When Jefferson organized par
ty against Federalism in 1896, it was
called the National Republican party,
and jefferson, Madison, Monroe and
Adams were all elected Presidents as
National Republicans, when the party
gradually drifted into the Jackson
Democracy in 1882 and finally into
Democracy.
When the revolt came against the
pro-slayery policy of the Democratic
party and new political organization
became necessity, the name of Re
publican was adopted at conference
held at Pittsburg, in January, 1886,
when an address, written by Henry j.
Raymond, was published to the coun-
try, baptizing new enti-slayery or
ganization as the Republican party.
Thus the name originally adopted by
those who founded the Democratic
party was adopted, sixty years later, as
the name of the new party that was
destined TO overthrow Democratic
power in the national government.
The first Republican National Con-
vention was held in Philadelphia in
1856, when Colonel Fremont was nom-
mated for President over Judge
Mclean, of Ohio, by a vote Of 359 to 1876
on the first ballot In 1850 the second
Republican National Convention was
held at Chicago in May, wi EN- Lincoln
was nominated for President on the
second ballot, receiving 2Sl! votes to
$50 for Seward, 2il for Chase, - for
Bates and s for Mclean.
The Republican National Conven-
tions of 1864, held at Baltimore, of
1868, held at Chicago, and of 1872, held
at Philadelphia, presented no contest
for the Presidential nomination. Lin
coin was unanimously renominated at
Baltimore, Grant was unanimously
nominated in 1865 and unanimo usly
renominated in 1852.
In 1876 the Republican National
Convention was held in Cincinnati i'm
June. There was desperate battle for
and against the nomination of Blaine,
and on the seventh ballot the opposi-
ton prevailed by uniting on Hayes
and giving him 3Si votes, with 3jl for
Blaine and 81 for Bristow. Blaine re-
ceived the votes of majority of all
the delegates in the convention, but
never on any one ballot.
In 1880 the battle for and against
Blaine was renewed at Chicago in
June, and il was the most desperate
contest in the history of national con
ventions, as the opposition to Blaine
was concentrated on Grant for a third
term. After struggle of nearly {
week Garfield was nominated on the
thirty-sixth ballot, receiving 800 vote:
to 3o6 for Grant and II for Blaine
Grants vote throughout all the ballot:
varied only from 3O4 to 3l3, and ended
on the famous 306.
In 1854 Blaine had another battle
royal with those who were opposed to
him in the Republican National Con
vention at Chicago i'm June. His chief
opponent was President Arthur, bu
Blaine was an easy winner. On tn,
fourth ballot he received 5il votes tC
207 for Arthur, Al for Edmunds, Is fo
III wiley, Z for Logan and 2 for Lin
eoln. Blaine was defeated at the poll
by Cleveland, and was the first Repub
lican Presidential candidate to fall af
ter the triumph of the party in 1870.
In 1883 the Republican Convention
met in Chicago in June, and after ;
protracted and somewhat bitter oontes
Harrison was nominated on the eight
ballot, receiving 554 votes to us 70
Sherman, 100 for Alger, 50 for Gres
ham, ) for Blaine and for Mckinley
That convention was really battl'
against Sherman, as he was the lead
ing candidate, receiving 22y votes OF
the first and 249 on the second ballot
while Harrison had but SO at the start
Blaine could have received that nomi
nation, but at the last moment he sen
cable from abroad peremptorily de
clining il.
In 1892 the Republican Convention
met at Minneapolis in June, and from
start to finish it was a battle for an,
against the denomination of Harrison
Although Mckinley and Blaine uni
ted to oppose Harrison's denomination
Harrison swept the field on. the frs
ballot, receiving 5S5 1-6 votes to lS2 l.
for Blaine, Isl for Mckinley, 70
Reed and for Lincoln.
Harrison was defeated at the election
by Cleveland, making the third IL
publican candidate out of ten who wa
defeated for the Presidency. Cleyelan'
is the only Democratic candidate VIII
succeeded in reaching the Presidenc
since 1850, although Tilden, Democra
was elected by 90, 900 majority in lS7'
but was refused certificate by tn
Electoral Commission--Philadelphi
Times.