Evening journal., 1912-04-04
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Famous AbOlitiOniSt
WhO Ran for Two offices
at the Same Time
Hw HaIIau1
By Holland


Yesterday / told an anecdote show
ing how il came TO be said of James G.
Birney, the aboltiOnist, when he was
running for President on the Liberty
party ticket in 1914 that he could
never be President because his coat
tails came too near the ground That
remark was made l6 years before the
Presidential candidacy of Stephen A.
Douglas, when, applied to the Little
Giant" il gained wide currency.
During the campaign OF 1914 Mr.
! Birney visited Central New York,
where he had large following among
Free Soil Democrats and Wings. There
he met good many friends, all Of
whom encouraged him, to believe that
he would receive a heavy vote in New
York I'm fact he did receive sufficient
votes TO defeat Henry Clay. the Whig
candidate for President; for by rea-
son of the support of Birney by the
Wings who did not agree with Clay's
slavery policy. Polk, the Democratic
candidate received a plurality of 5000
votes in New York, and It was the
electoral votes of New York State that
gave Polk majority in the electoral
college.
While Mr.. Birney on his trip to Cen
tral New York, was one day convers-
ing with several members of the Lib
erty party who lived in Utica, n. Y, a
man, evidently laboring under con-
siderable mental excitement. entered
the room unannounced and stepped in
front OF Mr.. Birney.
Il have a very important question
to ask Of Mr.. Birney,' this man said
First of all, ! want to say that | had
| intended TO vote for him, but that
have heard something today, which,
unless Il is explained or is a false re-
port, will not only prevent my voting
| for him, but will cause me TO take the
stump in opposition TO him.
What is It you have heard?' Mr..
| Birnoy asked. "Have they been say
ing some terrible things about mey'
81 have heard" the man replied,
that you are running for two offices
ON two separate tickets. Is this true
or not? If it Is true, you don't deserve
to be supported One office at time
is enough to be a candidate for In this
country Of ours. If it is not true. |
want you to say so, and then / will
see TO it that the lie is stopped
MY friend" said Mr.. Birney, the
question you ask me deserves to be
answered, and ! will answer it at once
/ by saying that the report is true. /
am a candidate for two different Of
sces upon two different tickets at the
election which is to be held in. No
vemher. / am the candidate of the Lib
eral party for President, and of the
Democratic party of my home town
for a member of the Legislature
Bierney said all of this so quietly.
with perfect composure OF manner,
that his friends were amazed and
looked TO him for further statement.
81 was nominated for President by
the Liberty party without my knowl-
edge and without having raised my
hand to obtain that nomination." he
continued THE nomination was
made while was in England in the
interests of emancipation Also. while
was away, the Democrats of Bay
City Michigan, my home town, with
out my knowledge nominated me foi
member of the Legislature.
"Whon I returned to this country
found that / had been nominated for
President by the Liberal party ana toI
member Of the Legislature by the Den
ocratic party of my city I also found
that ! could not withdraw in either
case without causing a great deal oi
confusion. ! therefore determined tC
let things take their natural course.
But. my friend. | want you TO g
away comtorted If you cant supper
me for President, because | am als'
"A candidate for the Legislature o
Michigan. you need not feel great.
disturbed, because I tell you frankl.
that l don't thing there is the slight
est chance Of my being elected t
either office"
After hesitating for a moment tn
man held out his hand to Mr.. Birney
Your explanation is just what Nigh
have been expected from YOU" he sal
heartily. 81 am going to vote for yo
for President"
Copyright 1912, by p. j. Edwards
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell {
"GarGelds Most Exciting Experieno