The Washington herald., 1909-10-31

the age OF fifty. when IL looked as though
nothing but a miracle would have de-
prived him OF the Democratic nomina-
ton for the Presidency in 1912, presents
another case OF the fatality that seems
to overhang feeders Of the party Of Jack
son.
II is not the first time that death has
thus cut short a promising life and de-
prlved the Democratic party of its
chances says the Baltimore Sun.
William II. Crawford. Of Georgia; Rob
ert ]. Walker. Of Pennsylvania; c. L.
Vallandigham. OF Ohio; William Rus
sell. Of Massachusetts. and Robert z.
Pattison. OF Pennsylvania, are all in
stances OF men lost in the Democracy in
their prime
Some Of these lost leaders had time
enough 10 make a place in history and
are remembered for what they have
done; others are merely names. and are
only kept down from utter oblivion by
tho thought Of what they might have ac-
compDshed.
William H. Crawford, OF Georgia. has
had his memory cherished by Democrats
for nearly a century now. and Is remem-
bered as the first great Democrat who
might have attained the Presidency had
ne lived.
Crawford began his political career as
a moderate Federallst. but came over to
Jefferson az the beginning OF the nine
tenth century, and was thereafter a
recognized leader of the party.
He had hopes of the party nomination
in 1915. but Monroe. whom Jefferson had
gently repressed in 1S0S In order that
Madison might be elected. now had HIS
reward.
When the convention OF 1924 arrived
Crawford had for twenty years been
dominating figure in national life, his
ser vices having included work as United
States Senator, Minister 10 France. Sec
rotary of War, and Secretary Of the
Treasury.
Il was while he was Secretary Of the
Treasury and at the very summit Of his
popularity that he was stricken with pa
ralysis He was then dfty-three His
friends ala their best 10 make n secret
Of his illness so that his chances for the
nomination might not be hopelessly I'M
paired for the giants Of the period in the
party-CalhOun, John quincy Adams,
Henry Clay. Jackson-were ali active
candidates
1allOuN was Ten years NNullAtI AlitAll
Crawford. and ne was satisfied with the
selection as Vice President
Crawford came third when the cleo
tors voted and failed 20 give any can
didate Il majority. This threw the cleo
ton into the House OF Representatives.
and then the friends Of the other leading
candidates-Adams and Jackson-made
the most OF Crawford's illness. and Adj
ans was elected.
Crawford rallied somewhat in health.
and had he fully recovered might have
been a dangerous opponent for Jackson
In 1928, but he joined hands with Jack
son 10 combat the hated Adams admin
istration. and died during the term OF
Jackson.
Robert J. Walker was another leader
early lost to the Democracy, but II was
not death or disability that took him out
Of the arena Of politics. but most cred
table case Of conscience.
Walker. who was born in Pennsylva-
MIA. went to live in Mississippi at the
age OF twenty-five. Six years later he
was leading a movement against nulli-
ficatlon. and when he had been but ten
years in his adopted State he was Sc
lected 20 be United States Senator, a
most unusual progress for any man.
Walker was an open advocate Of grad
ual emancipation. with proper remunera-
ton paid 20 the slave owners. but In
every other particular he was a most
radical Democrat.
In fact he early gained the reputation
or being the most astute Democratic
leader in the party when he brought Tyler
back into the fold thereby multiplying
the effort OF the Whig triumph Of 1870
He fashioned the tariff of 1916, and was
a most able Secretary Of the Treasury
under Polk.
Much against his viii he became gov
ernor Of the Territory Of Kansas. He
was assured that IL he served those
who wanted him to make Kansas slave
State he would get the nomination for
the Presidency. nomination worth hav-
ing. since the man who got Il, James
Buchanan, went TO the White House
But Walker. though a politician, was
strictly honest on the big issues that
then engrossed the country He de-
clined to assist I'm making Kansas a
slave State. because he believed that 10
be the course that met with the wishes
Of the people. Hence he lost the nomi-
nation and passed out OF power as
leader Of the Democracy
Had Clement L. Vallandigham. OF Ohio. /
lived. he would have been formidable
candidate for the Presidency IN 1872, for
by that time the Democrats Of the coun-
try had come to the conclusion that they
had done great wrong to him during |
the civil war
During the war he was the most hated !
Democrat in the North. He was the |
leader Of the Copperheads. He was the !
only man whom President Lincoln ban |
ished for opposition TO his policy
Until 1870 he looked hOpelessly dead |
from a political standpoint, but then ne |
began directing attention 10 new issues
that had arisen with the ending of the !
war and called on the people 10 get to- |
gether and take the big forward step |
necessary 10 wipe out the memories and |
bitterness OF the internecine conflict
In June. 1871. Il was a certainty that at |
the next Democratic convention Vallan- /
digham must be the leading figure. and |
with his admitted ability and proved /
courage he might even have been the /!
nominee, but on June Il, while trying a !
case and attempting TO show that the I
victim OF an alleged murderer whom was l
defending had accidentally shot himself |
while drawing a pistol. VallandIgham |
shot himself and died at the age OF fifty |
one.
The career of William Russell of |
Massachusetts. Is well remembered.
He was almost an infant phenomenon
In politics. He was first chosen mayor
of Boston at the age Of twenty-eight and