El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-06-04

.
/ United States was a product of the
/ national Democratic convention Of
/ 1914. This convention was notable not
/ only because Of this fact. but because
I il was the only one in which the ira
I dltiOnal tWO-tnirds rule has operated to
defeat a candidate having a majority
of the votes in the convention 1t is
also notable because OF its connection
with the first use Of the telegraph.
Gen. Harrison had died after only
month IN the white house and had
been succeeded by John Tyler, a nom
Democrat. His quarrel with the Wing
leaders had gone to the extent that
he had reorganized his cabinet on a
democratic basis and John c Cal
hOun was his secretary. The slavery
question was becoming more and more
acute and practically everybody in the
south, as well as great many people
( in the north, desired the annexation of
Texas The Texans had secured their
independence from Mexico and were
! knocking at the door of the American
Tyler was distinctly in favor Of an
EeXatiOn.
The Democrats had been practically
unanimous in the belief that Mr.. Van
Buren, should be renOminated conf
dent that the Wing victory of 1870
could not be repeated since the admin
lstratiOn had been such q complete
failure. The Wings, on the other
hand, were determined that this time
no consideration OF practical politics
should prevent the nomination of their
popular idol. Henry Clay. The abOli-
zionist sentiment in the north was
growing, and the Democratic leaders
were beginning to fear division on the
slavery question me wings by the
very constitution of their party had
always to consider this difficulty.
Friendship Of Clay and Van Buren,.
Although bitter political enemies,
Clay and Van Buren, were warm per
sOnal friends Mr. Van Buren, visited
Mr., Clay at his home at Ashland, Ky,
and they discussed the Texas Ques-
ton They agreed that il was too hot
70 handle, and they decided 10 elimin-
ate II as an issue in the coming cam
R G4ls oy a common agreement The
wing convention was to be held in Bal
ImOre on Nay J. and the Democratic
convention was TO meet in the same
city on May % In those days each OF
the political parties maintained Off
cal newspaper organs at Washington. I
Inc National lntelHgencer' represent
ed the Wings and the Washington
GLOBE the Democrats On April y
there appeared in the National Intelli- ]
gencer' an open letter from Mr. Clay }
saying that he was opposed to the an
Of Mexico. as il would mean war. In T.
the Globe on the very same day, I
there was an open letter from Mr.. Van /
Buren saying that he was opposed TO !
the annexation OF Texas without the /
consent Of Mexico, as it would mean I
war This remarkable coincidence OF /
the simultaneous publication of the /
ldenIlcal views Of the two leading I
candidates for president caused a ire
mendOus sensation
south sided With Texas.
In the south the Democrats were I
practically unanimous in demanding q
the annexation Of Texas, not only be-
cause OF the slavery question, but also /,
because the Texas pioneers and fight /
ers who had won their independence |
from Mexico were mostly southern men.
ana the south could not but have q /
strong sentimental regard for the /
memory Of Crockett, could not but I
sympathize with the aspirations Of /
Houston. A majority Of the delegates /
20 the Democratic convention already
had been instructed for Van Buren, But. 1
in the south an anti Van Buren, move
menr gained rapid Roadway.
Andrew Jackson. in retirement at the /
hermitage, was old, but he had not I
lost his cunning. He had made Van
Buren, president Of the United States,
but van Buren's collision with Clay
HICKORY from further support Of his
New York lieutenant. A letter pub
llshed in the Nashville Union on MAY
10 and signed a Jackson when read |
IN the light Of after events. shows that
the old general had already definitely
decided to defeat Van Buren, and to !
nominate a dark horse Of his own
choosing 1t is probable that not even
Polk himself knew that early that he
had been selected
Trouble in the Air.
nc AtEAA4DAAaAAE EQAh EnLAOu met on
May q The first telegraph line from
Washington to Baltimore had been fin
ished the day before, but only a few
experimental messages had been sent
over IT. At the same time, there was
In session in Baltimore the general
conference Of the Methodist Episcopal
church and the debates on the ceIe-
DRAFTED case OF bishop Andrew. which
were TO result In the separation Of the
northern and southern sections Of the
cnurcn, were In progress. The Know
nenI, was under way in Pennsylvania,
ana Baltimore was then fearing a reDe-
uuon OF the riots that had taken
place In philadelphia only few days
DeIore, when, in a riOtous battle be-
tween Know NOthings" and Irish 1
catholics, some so odd persons We're I
slain The whole atmosphere was
surcnarged with excitement and the
people We're prepared for anything. On
the same day, a convention Of office
holders, styling itself the National /
meeting in Baltimore, nominating
president Fyler as the Democratic can
dldate for president This movement I
soon persisted miserably.
The Democratic convention met and &
homulus NJ Saunders, who had cham
Toned the twO-thirds rule in a pre- |
Hlous convention, nominated Heindrick
B. Wright, Of Pennsylvania, for tenn !
DOrary chairman. AR Wright having
taken the chair. Mr.. Saunders imme-
1iately moved the adoption of the
rules Of the national conventions OF
S32 and 1885. This meant nothing .
more nor less than the readOption of
The twO-thirds rule The opposition 10
Van Buren, included many of the south .
2ru delegates VINO had been instructed
-O vote for him. He would have the ,
majority on the first ballot. for these
delegates must follow their instruc-
lions. But if the tWO-thirds rule could
BE- enforced these same deleaafas
could, after a few ballots. with good
grace desert Van Buren, and so to some 7
ither man. That this was the whole | !
purpose of the Saunders motion 10 Z Z
-eadopt the rules of 1882 and 1895 was 5
manifest to everyone of the 266 dele
yates present.
Two-TaE.Jss Rule Adopted. :
The Saunders motion was set aside
lt the time because of a parliamenrar- q
objection. but the North Carolina con- I !
5ressman renewed IT at every oppor- +
unity, and, after a day and a hale Of ;
.arnest and bitter contention. I'm which I )
he twO-thirds rule found its cher