The Washington herald., 1908-09-06


popular hero OF the war with Mexico It
mattered nof that he had never cast a
vote in his life and had never taken any
interest IN politics. II mattered not that
the war in which he won glory and re-
nown was condemned by the Wings as a
crime against civilization. II mattered
not that he was Southern slave owner
when Northern Wings were beginning to
battle evety day against the extension Of
{ slavery. Il matrered not that Henry
{ Clay. the greatest Of the Wings. again
I wanted the nomination from his parry
/ Nothing mattered except that the Wings
wanted to win: that they had won in
$40 with war hero and an alliteratlve
slogan, and that they could do It again.
Thus 20 Gen. Harrison and 'Tippecanoe
/ and Tyler. too" was added Cen Taylor
and odd Rough and Ready" These were
/ the only men the Whig party ever put
/ in the White House, and il is remarkable
/ that they are the only two Presidents
who have died in office Of natural causes.
But even the hearty attractiveness Of
[ Gen. Taylor. the freshness OF his vvar-won
i laure!s. the magic OF the memory Of
Bueua Vlsta-none OF these things wousI
{ have avaned TO defeat thu Democrats had
/ It not been for the factlonaI party nght
in New York STATE, which ultimately re-
suited in the formation Of the Free S5H
Democratic party and the candidacy Of
Martin Van Buren for President. Van
Buren did not carry a single state, but
he got a sufficient number Of votes 10
take more than one State away from the
Democratic candidate and give It's cleo
toral vote to Gen. Taylor.
The Democratic national convention met
that year in Baltimore on May p That
was over sixty years ago. but a man stu!
lives who was one OF the pr1-inent fig
ures in that body. The nomination for
President was a race between Lewis
Cass. OF Michigan, and James Buchanaa
Of Pennsylvania Cass was nominated on
the fourth ballot without difficulty. But
the great fight in the convention was not
over the nominations; IL was upon the
status Of the two contesting delegations
from New York.
There they were. Samuel J. Tnden.
later the leader OF the national Democ-
racy. as spokesman and advocate for the
Baru-burners. and DarieI +. Slckles. ora
tor for the Hunke-s. Then only twenty
three years old. sickIes was already a
member Of the legislature and a leader
in the Hunker. OF conservative wing Of
the Democratic party in New York His
career afterward in Congress before the
war. the tragedy Of Lafayette square. {
which cast a shadow over his life. lis
gailsutry IN battle. the loss OF his leg al
Gettysburg. his distinguished service in 7
the diplomatic corps, his return 70 Con
gress in 1892, and his long retirement in I
New York, where he stm lives. are all /
matters of general knowledge. But even I
those 20 whom his later activities are IA I
miliar are surprised 70 learn how long
ago he was a figure IN national political /
affairs.
The Barn-burners were liberal Demo /
Gratis. whose name was given u them
because OF the similarity Of their doc
trines ia politics 10 the economy OF the I
DaJch farmer who burned his barn 20 I
get rid OF the rats. Some authorities. not 4
friendly. assert that the name was de- I
rived from the depredatons of certain 4
persons IN Western New York not un- 4
Ike the Kentucky night riders Of the +
present era The Hunkers were the 4
who believed in standing
by the party whatever betided- "Huuker.'
is New York Dutch-EneIish Tor "hanker.- /
which is akin 10 hunger and the name I
was applied 10 those OF the Democrats I
whose desire for the possession OF Office
was more remarkable than their hunger
and thirst after righteousness.
Barn-burners and Hunkers each came
down 10 Baltimore. each swearing death
against the other. Behind the Barn
burners was the awful shadow of Martin
Van Buren. who had been the head OF
the greatest political machine the party
had possessed The party had defeated /
him for denomination four years pre-
viously by the imposition Of the two
thirds rule and by permitting delegates
to disregard Instructions. Ills friend.
Silas Wright. had declined the Vice Pres
dental nomination in 1915. but had saved i
the day by running for governor OF New
York and lining up the Van BUren +
strength for the Polk ticket Two years
ater. in 1876. Wright had been defeated
FOR reelection as governor. and the blame
vas laid on the HUnkers. Van Buren
md his friends wanted revenge.
The Baltimore convention was unable
10 decide between these bitter factions.
md therefore, voted 20 seat both delega-
ions. giving a half vote 70 each Both ,
,ides declined 10 accept the compromise
md refused 10 vote in the convention.
When Lewis Cass had been nominated Z
or President and William O Butler for ,
Tice President, young Dan SicSles Jumped .
o his feet 10 promise the vote Of New r
FORK for the nominee. making an impas- =
ioned speech. which brought the atten- !
ion OF the whole country 10 him 2
But the Barn-burners went home sore. 2
{ was not long until the Free Soil move Z
nent was Under way. Martin Van Buren I
,ecame its candidate for President and ,
-harles Francis Adams was nonina led
or Vice President The Abolition party e
vas swallowed up in 1t. II was the first :
movement toward the wreck :
ng Of the old nonsectfOnaI parties and c
fastening the inevitable civil war. And d
vhen the votes were counted. Gen Tay- s
Dr. was elected. and Martin Van Buren u
ad his revenge.
Gen Taylor was nominated at the z
Vhig national convention. IN PhIadel-
hia. Gov. Morehead, Of North Caro-
ma, was president Of the convention. F
nd il became his duty 70 inform the
andidates that they had been nominated h
was before the days Of compulsory { g
Of postage. and Gov. More :
cad sent the letter to Gen. TayIor's
ddress, in louisiana, postage couect-
"Old Rough and Ready had been get 4
ing too many letters from cranks all =
yer the country. fer each Of which he {
-as compelled to pay from % TO % 4