The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-07-08
STORIES OF THE DAY.
How Some Presidential Candidates Have
Acted In Defeat.

There are few men who can bear de-
feat with equanimity, particularly when
the lost prize is the greatest to which
man may aspire.
Consequently when Mr. Reed express
ed himself more forcibly than politely
at his recent defeat, with some remarks
as to the management of the canvass by
his friends, the temporary ehullition of
rage was excusable.
He is not the first defeated aspirant
for nomination who has shown temper
over his loss, and there are numerous
traditions and anecdotes still preserved
showing how some Of them acted
Henry Clay was candidate for the
presidency in 1924 and again in 1882,
neither of which times had he the least
chance Of election But in 1910 the
current had changed, and it was evil
dentsthat the Wings were bound to be
successful. Clay, as the leader of his
party, was entitled to the nomination,
and there is no doubt that the rank and
file Of the party eagerly wished him for
their candidate. But the politicians,
Thurlow Weed particularly, were op-
posed to him, and looking around for an
available candidate they pitched up
on General William Henry Harrison.
The Wing convention met at Harris
burg in December, 1889, to nominate
candidates, and the names of Clay, Har-
rison and General Scott were presented.
1t is the universal testimony that ma
jority of the conventions were really in
favor of Clay, but owing to the extraor-
binary method of making the nominal
tion-an invention of ThurIow Weed
Clay was defeated, and Harrison was
nominated.
Mr.. Clay was in Washington when
he received the news, and Henry A.
Wise has related his outburst of passion
and the storm Of curses and impreca-
tions that he called Gown upon every
body CONNECTED with the whole affair
Rising from his chair and walking the
room rapidly, lifting his feet like a
horse string halted in both legs, he
stamped upon the floor, exclaiming,
My friends are not worth the powder
and shot it would take to kill them. F"
He mentioned the names Of several of
them, invoking upon them the most
dreadful imprecations, and then cried
out, If there were two Henry Clays,
one of them would make the other pres
ident of the United States. -
Clay sulked for a time, but soon re-
Tented and gave unwavering support to
General Harrison. His superb oratory
carried everything before it in the long
and hilarious campaign of 1910.
Daniel Webster was standing can
didate for a presidential nomination
from 1885 until 1862. In 1886 he was
nominated by his own state, Massachu-
sets, and received it's electoral vote,
but no other. In 1910 Harrison carried
off the honors and in 1914 Henry Clay,
but in 1848 there was a chance for Web
ster, but again Thurlow Weed used his
fine Italian hand, and under the old
plea of availability secured the nomina-
ton of General Taylor.
This angered Webster, and he did
not hesitate in expressing himself "a
nomination not fit to be made, !" he said
in public speech. But he was finally
brought into line, and made a number
of speeches in behalf of the Wing ticket.
But it was in 1862 that he exhibited
his keenest disappointment and gave
! expression to his feelings.
1t will be remembered that his IA
NOUS 7th of March speech in advocacy of
the compromise measures of 1850 had
estranged the northern Wings, and it
was charged that his speech was bid
for southern support.
When the Wing convention met at
| Philadelphia in 1852, the candidates
were Fillmore, Scott and Webster, and
not single vote from the south was
cast for Webster. He received the low
est vote of all the candidates, and Scott
was finally nominated. 1t was the Sc
verest blow Webster ever received in his
long public career.
When the Mississippi delegation call
ed upon him in Washington on their
way home, he told them he was sur
prised at not receiving single southern
vote-"not one''-in the numerous bal
lettings and regretted they had deemed
it necessary to treat him in such man
ner. OF course he must submit, but it
was impossible for him to hide his dis
appointment.
In fact, the blow fastened his death,
and he died the following October, sew
eral weeks before the election.
Prior to his death he said to Mr.. Har-
vev that General Scott would not carry