The daily sentinel., 1909-11-13
DENOCRACY'S LOSS.
CChicago Record-Herald. }


ed as though nothing but a miracle
would have deprived him OF the DEM
ocratic nomination for the presidency
In 1912, presents another case of the
fatality that seems to oyerhang lead
ers of the party of Jackson.
IL is not the first time that death
has thus cut short a promising life
and deprived the Democratic party OF
its chances.
William II. Crawford OF Georgia.
hobert ). Walker of Pennsylvania, c.
l.. Naliandigham of Ohio, William
Russell of Massachusetts and Robert
+. Pattison of Pennsylvania are an
instances of men lost to the Democ-
racy in their prime.
Some of these lost leaders had time
enough to make place in history and
are remembered for what they have
done. others are merely names. and
are only kept from utter oblivion by
the thought of what they might have
accomplished
William H. Crawford OF Georgia
has had his memory cherished by
Democrats for nearly century now.
ana is remembered as the first great
democrat who might have attained
the presidency had he lived.
II was while he was secretary of
the treasury and at the very summit
OF his popularity that he was stricken
with paralysis. He was then SO. uis
friends did their best to make
secret of his illness so that his
chances for the nomination might NOT
be hopelessly impaired. for the giants
OF the period in the party-Calhoun
John Quincy Adams. Henry Clay and
Jackson-were all active candidates.
Calhoun was ten years younger than
Crawford, and he was satisfied with
the selection as vice president.
Robert J. Walker was another
leader early lost 10 the Democracy,
but II was not death or disability that
took him out of the arena of politics.
but most creditable case of con-
science
Walker who was born in Pennsyl-
rania. went TO live in Mississippi at
the age of 25. Six years later he was
leading movement against nullifica-
ton, and when he had been but zen
years in his adopted state he was
elected to be United States senator,
most unusual progress for any man.
walker was an open advocate of
sradual emancipation with proper re-
muneration paid to the slave owners.
but IN every other particular he was
most radical Democrat In fact he
early gained the reputation OF being
the most astute Democratic leader in
the party when he brought TYLER
back into the fold, thereby nuIljfyinr
the effect of the Whig triumph of
1910. He fashioned the tariff of
1916. and was a most able secretary
of the treasury under Polk.
Much against his will he became
governor of the territory of Kansas
He was assured that If he served
those who wanted to make Kansas a
slave state he would get the nomina-
ton Tor the presidency. "a nomination
worth having, since the man who got
~, James Buchanan, went TO the
White House. But Walker, though
politician. was strictly honest on the
Dig issues that then engrossed the
country. He decliRed to assist in
making Kansas slave state, because
he believed that to be the course that
met with the wishes of the people.
Hence he lost his nomination. and
passed put of power as a leader of
the Democracy.
Had Clement l.. Vallandigham of
ONO lived, ne would have been
formidable candidate for the presi-
dency in lS72. for by that time the
Democrats of the country had come
to the conclusion that they had done
great wrong to him during the Civil |
war
In June, 1871, il was certainty
that at the next Democratic conven- |
uon Nallandigham must be the lead |
ing figure, and with his admitted abil- |
lty and proved courage he might even
have been the nominee, but on the |
nth of June. while trying case, and |
attempting to show that the victim
of an alleged murderer whom he was
defending had accidentally shot him
self while drawing a pistol. Vallan-
digham shot himself and died at The
age of 81.
The career of William Russell of
Massachusetts is well remembered.
He was almost an infant phenom-
enon in politics. He was first chosen
mayor of Boston at the age of 2S,
and was promptly returned for a sec
ond term. He was only 80 when he
was chosen governor of Massachus-
etts. Altogether he had five terms |
In Massachusetts they elect every
year
His thin, smooth. almost colorless
ed with intellect and energy, made |
him liked everywhere, and Democ- |
racy looked to him as a leader who |
would certainly have a chance to
make the running for the White |
House. and probably get there.
But in 1896 from a remote camp |
in Nova Scotia came news of his sud |
den death. He was then only 40
years old, and had he lived would to-
day still be younger than most of |
the present day leaders.
The career of Robert e. Pattison |
was somewhat similar. When only |
~ years old he was elected comp
troller of the Republican city of |
Philadelphia, and twice he was elect |
ed governor of the hide-bound Repub-
lican state of Pennsylvania The pa |
ton looked with interest to the possi- |
bilitips pt This fall and l