The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-06-24


from "a desire to be enlightened and to get in
formation from such men aS Clay, Webster,
Calhoun. Marcy, Van Buren, Reeves of Nir-
ginia, Reverdy johnson. John McMahon and
a host of other political leaders of that high
type of character and ability. There was no
scarcity Of brilliant campaign orators, as is
sadly the case nowadays. Both parties were
able To put into the field speakers Of marked
ability and well matched in eloquence and
argument. As a result, the campaigns were
frightened and made instructive to a striking
extent The elections themselves were, com
paratvey speaking orderly and quiet. Oc
casionally there would he some confusion,
but nothing approaching the terrible riots
which are seen on every hand during the
presidential elections of this generation. In
fact. the whole method of conducting the big
campaigns forty or fifty years ago was on a
much higher level than at present, MS the
leaders then addressed themselves to the in
tvi5gence of the voter rather than to his
rupldity or desire for promotion. Now every
thing is run 10y machinery.
TURNING POINTS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
In speaking of notable national campaigns
of past years. Colonel Berret brought out the
fact that many IN apparently meaningless in
cideul may turn the tide of victory and bring
about defeat when success was almost graSped.
y
dency in 1874. That was famous contest
said Colonel Berret The convention met
in Baltimore, Mr. Van Buren, being the
I only candidate prominently mentioned for
( denomination. Such was his popularity with
/ the party that a majority OF the delegates
{ elected tu that convention bad been formally
/ instructed 20 vote for him. Up to day OF
TWO before the nominations he was rs sure
I Of the nomination as though it had already
I been given ro him. He wrote an unfortunate
I letter. however. IN which he opposed the an
[ uexatiou ol Texas, which caused great and
/ instantaneous reyulSion of feeling toward him.
/ The party leaders decided that il would be
{ unwiSe 10 nominate him, aud in order to re
. ieve the delegates who had been formally in
s,raciei To vote for him. the convention
adopted the twothirds vote rule, which re
suited in the nomination Of James X. Polk.
Bot for writing and publishing his letter, Mr.
/ Van Buren, woHld have certainly won that
nomination and been elected.
Probably the most remarkable presidential
/ campaign, so far as popular enthusiasm was
concerned. was IN 1910. when William Henry
Harrison was elected. Times were hard,
/ money was scarce and people were out OF en-
4 plovmeui, but Harrison WIS hailed a> the man
whose election would bring ahuut q return OF
prosperity. Harrison clubs organized every
. WAtFe ana went ABOUT lnt country SlUEluL
songs about Nppecanoa aud Tyler. too, and
/ We VIII Beat Little Van In every parade
I the Harrison log cabin figured prominently AS
well as coon skins. barrels filed with hard
cider and banners bearing the legend. 1t
Harrison s, Elected the Working Man viii
F Get - a Dav with Roast Beef. The popular
/ demonstrations in favor of Harrison were
I wonderful. beating anything OF the kind IN the
memory nf men Of those days, aud not having
been e4ua!cd since. Il was easily the most
/ deuousJrative campaign IN the past fifty years.
lie was elected largely on sentiment the ma
( tionai issues cutting no figure at all in the re
1 ,uj.
..Ihe campaign III which Liucolu was elect
{ ca was probably the most exciting one IN my
I memory because there were such number
( of candidates and because of the Importance
/ nF the outcome The feeling was intense, It
/ being well understood that il Lincoln was
elected the South would seccde. There were
up riots ou election day, however. everything
I being conducted IN "a very orderly manner.
I Th,. nomination of Lincoln and Hamllu OF
/ coarse caused very considerable excitement,
and upon the announcement of this fact the
4 alHng oi the friends OF Hamhn who was liy-
iuE I'm % hotel in this city was the signal tor
some improper demonstrations on the part
of ;huughtlc., citizens who ,rlei 90 interrupt
ih.- s4e.fIus by throwing missiles and stones.
The Republican party in the City OF Wash
( ,uEfau az hat time was very small. hey had
i g.ab which was said 10 consist Of 70 mem
{ brrs aud afier this demonstration at the hGme
/ Of Hamliu. the President OF the club called
nron mr. rs the Mayor Of the city, 20 know 1t
ihev would be protected in holding a public
meeting 10 front OF the City Hall. Tie wanted
,U know ID ! would exercise the power OF my
office and the giss o! the police an preserving
order. / responded that | would do my ut
Z most 10 enforce not only projection uut Inc
I peace and order of The city 1t any attempt Was
made ou the part OF ludtScreet people 10 m,
1 .eriere wllh the treeiom oi speech "h'eh
{ considered the highest huiy 81 magistrate 20
afford. The meeting WAS held ana FaSt con
/ eonrse assembled 0ui'e NUN Der '' P,'"
. meet htpnoHtau SPEAKERS al'euueN anu AI
dressed tAe pushe without 'h,e''" p''u' li'"1',
. % She surprise u my i'eHdS VINO "eTIa'e 'e1
I that the meeting would eud iH a rlo'. ~ "a5 "a55
the custom 'g th"'e nays oS 'i'e way ~ ny. ~
. meetings ln the OPEN |'"S''e ~ '''' " '"'
. 'i'} nan. hts vas 'i'"' .''''s'1' % - 81
couut OF me great number 60, Peop'e VINO a
WAYS attended auA who Gon'd mot ne accom-
I moAa'ed ln iae smai ha"-- since '"e rev
. noh u' mammoth hual'"'i"l"S, s'"""s ."'"
I sands. the habit 81 holding "ut OF dooi Po'i'lta'
uIc-tiHgs has almost enureiy p'lSSeu away
[ In ortrr lo hold the attention oi theit Auu'e''
crs, the political speakers OF 'h'riy; ,or'y anu
I. hiiE years ago had @ nave Po"eilu' .uu3 ''',,'
f. a thorough N"""ie"s' '' "'" " F''Fe''S
the VOICE .-...-..,,..,.
CHAT AH'' N"''''' ~ ''>'
TO my mtud Henry Clay was the creates !
leader Jhat has figured IN American political
history. lie was the most magnetic man l
ever saw and his equal has not since been dc,
yeIopei. He was great organizer, a mag,
I uihceut ialker. possessed spiendId mind ana
WAS full ut personal magnetism Despite his
hrilhan, career he failed 10 get the presidency
and | think he died n disappointed man as a
result. He was Justly disappointed, IN my
opi 4inn. for | think he earned tins honor 10y
reason OF his service 20 the Mig party
. Daniel Webster was one OF the greatest men
this country ever produced, being statesman
LAWYER and orator, but he lacked those quail.
lies of magnetism which were possessed to
such a marked degree by Clay. lie was also
ambitious for presidential houors, but failed
Ia command a support large enough To get a
/ nomination. These men were prominent IN
/ the Wing party halt century ago. pnrine
that era General jackson was probably the
strongest man in the Democratic party ana
10 nv mind also the strongest man ever
presented as a candidate for President by this
PARTY He possessed remarkable characters
ties. was very magnetic, hut without any claims
I o., sl,1uapca aS a sneaker suppose no man