The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-02
"cUss" WORDS exCusABLE
Especially When the Prize Lost
Is the Presidency.
SOME BEATEN ASPIRANTS
Blaine Furnishes One of the Few Ex-
amples Where No Expressions
of Disappointment We're
INDUCED In

in the Chicago 'Times-Herald."
Consequently, when Mr.. Reed eX-
pressed himself more forcibly than
politely at his recent defeat, with
some remarks as to the management
of the canvass by his friends, the tenn
porary ebulltion of rage was excus-
able.
He is not the first defeated aspirant
for a nomination who has shown tenn
per over his loss, and there are num-
erOus traditions and anecdotes still
preserved showing how some of them
acted.
Henry CLAY was candidate for the
Presidency in 1924 and again in 1892,
neither OF which times had he the
least chance of election. But in 1910
the current had changed and it was
levdent that the Wings We're bound to
be successful Clay as the leader Of
his party was entitled to the nomina-
ton. and there is no doubt that the
rank and file of the party eargerly
wished him for their candidate. But
the politicians, Thurlow Weed parti-
Icularly, were opposed to him. and look
ing around for an available" candi-
date they pitched upon Gen. William
Henry Harrison.
HENRY CLAY.S RAGE.
The Wing convention met at Harris
burg in December, 1899, to nominate
candidates, and the names of Clay, Har-
rison and Gen. Scott were presented
1t is the universal testimony that a
majority of the convention was really
in favor of Clay, but owing to the
extraordinary method of making the
nomination-an invention of Thurlow
Weed-Clay was defeated and Harri-
son was nominated.
Mr.. Clay was in Washington when
he received the news, and Henry A.
Wise has related his outburst of pas
sion and the storm of curses and i'm
precautions that he called down upon
everybody connected with the whole
Iaffair. Rising from his chair and walk
ing the room rapidly, lifting his feet
like a horse stringhalted in both legs,
he stamped upon the floor, exclaiming:
l"My friends are not worth the powder
and shot it would take to kill them. -
He mentioned the names of several of
them, invoking upon them the most
| dreadful imprecatiOns, and then cried
out: IF there were two Henry Claws
one Of them would make the other
President of the United States"
When demonstrated with for his UNI
seemly passion he said: 1T is a dia-
bolical intrigue. / now know. which
has betrayed me. | am the most un-
fortunate man in the history of par
ties: always run by my friends when
sure to be defeated, and now BETRAYED
for a nomination when !, or any one,
would be sure of an election"
Clay sullled for a time, but soon re-
Tented and gave unwavering support
to Gen. Harrison. His superb oratorv
carried everything before it in the
long and hilarious campaign of 1910.
WEBSTER'S DISAPPOINTMENT,
Daniel Webster was standing can
ldidate until 1852. In 1886 he was nomi-
mated by his own -Massachu-
setts-and received its electoral vote.
but no other In 1910 Harrison carried
off the honors, and in 1914 Henry Clay.
but in 184S there was chance for Web
Ister. but again Thurlow Weed used his
! fine Italian hand" and under the old
Iplea of availability secured the nomi-
nation of Gen, Taylor.
This angered Webster, and he did not
hesitate III expressing himself a
nomination not fit to be made" he
said in a 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 1852 that he exhibited
his keenest disappointment, and gave
expression to his feelings.
1t will be remembered that his ia
nous 18th of March speech in advocacy
of the compromise measures of 1850
had estranged the Northern Wings,
land it was charged that his speech was
a bid for Southern support.
When the Wing convention met at
Philadelphia in 1852, the candidates
were Fillmore, Scott and Webster, and
not a single vote from the South was
cast for Webster. He received the
lowest vote of all the candidates, and
Scott was finally nominated. 1t was
the severest blow Webster ever re-
ceiyed in his long public career.
When theMississippi delegation called
upon him in Washington, on their way
home, he told them he was surprised at
not receiving a single Southern vote
mot one''-in the numerous ballotings,
and regretted they had deemed it ne
cessary to treat him in such a manner.
| OF course, he must submit, but it was
| impossible for him to hide his disap-
| pointment.
In fact the blow FASTENED his death,
| and he died the following October,
several weeks before the election.
| Prior to his death he said to Mr.,
Harvey that Gen. Scott would not carry
six States. That the people knew he
would be a mere puppet in the hands
! of the New York Wing regency, con
| trolled by Weed and Seward, and he
added: ''The people of the United
Estates will never trust their destinies
land the administration OF the govern
Iment to the hands of William II. Sew
| ard and his associates. Mr.. Seward
! is an able man, but subtle and I'M
Iscrupulous, and will make everything
bend to the one idea of making him
self President of the United States"
SCENARIOS WATERLOO.
The words were prophetic. Scott
only carried four States, and eight
wears later, when Seward thought he
| had the nomination within his grasp,
| it was snatched from him at the mo-
ment of his anticipated victory.
How Seward took his defeat at Chi
cage in 1860 does not appear except as
| it may be inferred from weeds Me-
moirs." Seward had too much control
/ over his feelings to give general ex-
lpression to them, but doubtless his in
| innate friends at Auburn witnessed
| his detection. But Weed makes no
Iconcealment That hardened politician
II .,+ :