The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-08-26
SOME FAMOUS MEN
WHO FAILED TO REACH THE
COVETED PRESIDENTIAL
CHAIR.
From Burr to Blaine Several Inter
esSing Pages of Our Political
History Recalled by
Rocant Events
Recent Events.

oScSuL. .IINSulS'
Presidential lightning IS the mos;
eccentric form Of electric eaeTg!;.
known to either science or religlon
Again aud again has it fallen upo'i
dry places, when it might have found
sete conduct through brilliant minds
and embellisheo and completed 3
shining mark.
The greatest and wisest Of our
land have prepared attractions for 1t,
but it has passed them By 70 alum,-
nate lowly and obscure.
At this time, when the nation is
girding up its loips for the twenty
eight Presidential election. which will
take place in November, it viii not
be amiss to glance backward at the
names Of those (sll dead and many
Of them forgotten) who might have
become Presidents of the republic
but for the interference Of stubborn
chance, providence, or fate OF what
you will.
The men who missed the Presl-
dency were in most instances the
men who seemed at the time most
worthy OF the honor. Clay and Blaine
were again and again within an ace
OF gaining the coveted prize. Daniel
Webster, the modern Demosthenes,
died of broken heart because the
ambition of his life was denied him,
and yet he might have realized that
ambition had his spirit been willing
to accept the crown in the way the
gods presented it.
It is an interesting study, this re-
view OF the causes which baked some
Of the country's heroes just as they
were reaching out their hands to
take more than a "kingly crown.
The contemplation of these facts Of
our history may bring comfort at
this time, when disappointment is in
the air for more than one aspirant,
who would perhaps be ashamed to
confess to the canker gnawiDg at his
heart.
AARON BURs coXE NEAR IT.
Aaron Burr just missed the head
ship of the nation. He was man oi
remarkably brilliant mental attain
ments, and into the Presidential con-
test of 1900 be entered with his ac-
customed energy and determination.
The Republicans triumphed, but be-
tween the two highest candidates
Jefferson and Burr-there was s tie,
eace receiving 81 votes, which threw
the election into the House OF Repre-
sentatives-
In connection with this affair Burr
was charged with intriguing to defeat
the public will and have himself cho-
sen to the first Office instead OF JET
ferson. The Federalists resolved to
defeat Jefferson at any cost, and so
fixed upon Burr as their sole rellorce
in this great emergency.
The balloting went on for seven
days. Thirty-iye ballots were taken
without result. In the balloting IL
the House each State delegation cast
but one vote. The candidate receiv-
ing the highest number would be de-
clared elected vice-president. The
Federalisss strove long aud ferVently
with Burr, but could not obtain FROM
hin the pledge they desired. Jef-
ferson was, therefore, elected on the
thirty-si1ty ballot, and Burr was de-
clared elected vice-president, having
received the next highest number OF
votes
cLINToN's STOUT FIGHT.
In the campaign OF 1872 Dewitt
Clinton was regarded as promising
Republican candidate for the Presi-
dency. He had held many pronl-
nent places IN the government and
filed them all with credit to himself
and to the advantage OF his country.
During his term in the United States
Senate be distinguished himself by a
powerful speech opposing the war
with Spain. he resigned from the
Senate 1862 to take the Office OF
Mayo, of New York, to which he had
been appointed by his uncle, then
governor Of the State for the second
time. He continued Mayor until
1915.
Aaron Burr's disgrace had re-
moved one of his most prominent
rivals, but Clinton soon began to
be looked upon with distrust by his
party, on account OF his want of
sympathy with some of President
Jacison's ects and with Madison's
course previous to the war of 1872.
He was suspected of leaning TO-
ward the Federslists, and was bitter
" assailed by his enemies, toward
whom his own course had never been
lid.
The Republican caucus at Wash
ington in 1912 renominated Madison,
but CLIFTON, retaining his hold on the
party OF his own State and relying on
the support Of the Federalists, secur-
ed q nomination from the Republican
members of the New York Lesisia-
ture. Clinton made stout fight aud
up to the very last seemed to haTe a
chance OF winning because there was
considerable dissatisfaction over the
manner of Madison's nomination.
With Pennsylvania on bis side Gin
ton would have won, and his sup
porters were also sure in advance Of
the adherence of other States, which
failed to come TO time as expected.
Thus did another statesman of the
early days OF the republic miss b. a
chance the great houor for which SO