New-York tribune., 1900-07-08

the one requiring a tvo-thirds vote TO nom
mate, which also adopted.
When Martin Van Buren nominated for
President in May. 1895. the Convention adopted
platform contenting itself with selecting Richard
M johnson, Of Kentucky. as the nominee for Vice
President. IN May 1870 also in Baltimore, the
third National Convention renominated Van Buren,
but left the selection Of a Vice-President TO the
several States
At the fourth Convention. which met on May 27
1874. IN Baltimore, Van Buren, had a majority of
the instructed delegates, but his opposition the
annexation Of Texas and hostility in New-York de-
feated him. the prize going 70 James K. Polk, who
had aspired 70 nothing higher than second place.
silas Wright, Of New-York declined the nomina-
ton. and to George NJ Dallas, OF Pennsylvania,
went the second place on the ticket.
Polk, by his plain self-seeking and by his fatal
blunder il taking sides IN one Of the factional
quarrels in New-York, put himself Of line for
denomination, and at the Convention Of May p 1s4s
IN Baltimore, Cass, of sfichigan5 ard futIer, OF
Kentucky, were chosen
Forty-nine ballots were required TO nominate
Franklin Pierce, Of Hampshire, in the stormy
Convention OF 1852 which met IN Baltimore on June
!. That he was q dark horse is shown by the fact
he was not mentioned until the thirty-flfth ballot
when fifteen votes were cast for him the fight
being between Cass, Douglas, Marcy and
Buchanan William r King, OF Alabama, was
nominated for Vice-Presideut, but did live 70
i'll the Office.
The repeal Of the Missouri Compromise was toe
great burden for Pierce TO carry before the 1856
Convention, which met in Cincinnati on June 2 and
Buchanan who had been out Of practical politics
for years Minister to England. carried of
the prize, with John c. Breckenridge for his
ming mate.
The next Democratic Convention met in Charles
ton s. c, April %, 1860 and after four days
wrangle between the Northern and Southern fac
tions Of the party. in which the delegates from the
cotton States withdrew from the Convention.
adjourned 10 meet in Baltimore June 18 AS a
result Of. the split. Douglas and Johnson CIer-
schel V, Of Georgia. the ticket nominated at
Baltimore, while the seceders met in another hall
in Charleston adopted a pro-slavery platform.
adjourned TO meet in Richmond and finally
indorsed the ultra-southern platform and the
Breckenridge and Lane ticket put forth by a second
body OF boilers meeting ir Baltimore.
Horatio Seymour, Governor Of New-York was the
presiding officer at the forlorn Convention which
met in Chicago on August So 1864. and nominated
General George 3. Mcclellan and George H. Pen
deton as standard bearers. This Convention sue
ceeded in preventing the party organization from
going 70 pieces and on July 1. 1868 in New York
at the next Convention Of the Democracy the unex-
pected happened. The interest thus given It for
students political history is increased by the fact
that II the first National gathering Of Demo-
Gratis since 1860 which all Of the Southern States
sent delegates. Months before the Convention met
ii had been decided by Democratic leaders that
Salmon P Chase, who had become estranged from
the Republican party, should be nominated for
President and save for One mans craft and cum
ming plan would have been carried into execu-
ton.
That man was Samuel J. TfIden who decided
that the candidacy Of Chase would spell defeat
Instead he planned with subtle and mastery STRAIT
egy to nominate Seymour. It had been arranged
that Seymour. who had been chosen president OF
the Convention. was to leave the chair 10 nomi-
nate Chase This moment cunntngly chosen
by T1lden for the fulhlment Of his purpose, and
when Seymour called another 10 preside, Ohio
delegate. selected for the occasion, sprang his
feet and in a brief yet impressive speech. demand
ed nomination of Seymour. the confessed leader
of the Democracy. Instantly men IN other deega-
tons previously assigned 10 their task. rose and
sweIled the hurrah for Seymour. and when some
Of the New-York delegates Joined in the cheering
the end became evident 10 all. Your candidate
cannot be-" said Seymour, in q faterng voice,
he left the platform. but the wave sped on and he
made the nominee by a practically unanimous
vote. Seymour, prevailed upon TO reconsider the
subject reluctantly submitted and the Convention
completed its work by nominating General Frank
P Blair. Of Missouri for Vice-President.
The Democratic National Convention held at
Baltimore on July 9. 1872. was a dull and HfeIess
affair II having been settled before It met that the
only hope for the Democracy was 10 indorse the
action Of the Liberal Republicans who had nomi-
mated Horace Greeley for President. On the other
hand the Convention which opened at St Louis
on June e. 1876. OF the most interesting
and instructive in the history Of the party. Its
,ssue proved Samuel J. Tilden be of the
master politicians oS his time. Ii seemed after
The sasco Of 1872 though the Democracy was
,,,t,bo1, a future Yet within two years there
a complete change IN the situation A tidal wave
gave the Democracy control Of the House, and TIL
6ens genius converted the threatened disaster, due
IN the exposure OF the denominations practised BY
Tweed and other robbers, disguised as a Demo
cratic association. into potent influence for the
1artxss supremacy IN New-York State. and pos
efb n the Nation -
the second place on the ticket The contest tor
.bs pSresidency before the Electoral Commission
..+r,eS an the vote of Louisiana, and II required
The approval of the Senate 70 assure the Elector4
vote OF that State 10 Hayes haq II 9ssn elVS S0 10
Tilden he would have been the President MANY