Evening journal., 1912-05-21
Ne. NEE NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Three Words That Se-
cured a Presidential
NOmiRatioR
BJ Holland


At the Democratic national conven-
ton of 1880 one of the leading candi- /
dates for the presidential nomination
was Henry B.. Payne Of Cleveland, |
Ohio. the father-in-law Of the late
William G. Whitney of New York Mr.. |
Payne represented Ohio in the United
States Senate at one time. He was a
man Of great wealth and of even |
greater influence politically and COM
mercially.
The delegates to the convention had |
been informed that they must not
nominate Samuel J. Tilden. who was
the candidate for President Of the
Democracy four years earlier Gov
ernorTilden was known to be in feeble
health, and It was for this reason that
he had written a letter IN which he
stated that he must not be nominated
by the convention for he could not ac-
cept
Leading Democratic politicians
from other parts Of the country than
New York or Ohio searched among
Democratic leaders in other States for
a man who had presidential qualities,
a record, availability, high character,
and a firm belief in Democratic prin-
ciples. They found that man, as they
believed. in General Winfield Scott
Hancock They determined to match
the very expert political strategy of
which William c. Whitney was the
master by political tactics of another
kind. II was their hope to be able to
stampede the convention, as 1t was
called. chiefly through the enthusiasm
and excitement which a magnificent
burst Of oratory might be able to
cause
But who was the man who could
make a speech upon the floor OF the
convention which, as the saying is,
would carry the delegates off their
feet?
Finally. someone suggested Daniel
Dougherty, sometimes called the sill
ver-tongued orator OF Philadelphia. q"
But Dougherty is a Republican" 1t
was objected.
mo. he is not any longer a Repub-
lican,' was the reply. "He went out Of
the Republican party, eight years ago.
He made great speeches in support Of
the candidacy Of Governor Tilden for
the presidency"
That point settled Mr.. Dougherty
was approached and asked If he would
be willing to nominate General Han
cock
What State is General Hancock
from?" Mr.. Dougherty questioned
Isn't II the custom for presidential
candidate TO be nominated by a citizen
of his own State?"
This question puzzled the men who
had waited upon Mr. Dougherty. It
gave them a new thought In all the
discussion about General Hancock
nobobdy had thought to put the query.
What. State does he hail from2" II
was known that he had not cast a
vote for many years. II was very
doubtful whether he could claim resi-
dence in any particular State But it
was recalled that he was born in Penn
lsylvania and had been a citizen of that
State when he entered the army and
that fact was regarded as sufficient tc
establish a residence So the friends
OF General Hancock again went &C
Daniel Dougherty and said to him.
General Hancock is a Pennsylva.
nian, and so are you. You are the mar
who can so speak Of Hancock upor
the floor OF the convention as TO gaiT
sufficient support to secure his nomi
/
wavering delegates. You can capture
them"
Thereupon Mr. Dougherty consented
TO make the nomination speech. HI
had in mind the wonderful outburst o
/ oratory with which Robert G. Inger
soil had proclaimed Blaine as "th'
plumed knight" at the Republican
convention four years earlier. MT
] a. G1I II III
speech and became familiar with al
of the accessories of that occasion. II
spent many weary hours striving Il
coin into single phrase the heroi
attributes of General Hancock A
last. when almost in despair. the eX
preston came to him. when. in read
ing over Hancock's war record. h
learned that Mcclellan, in the PENN
sular campaign. had said Of Hancocl
at the battle Of Williamsburg, Han
cock was superb"
A few hours later, Dougherty, In
fine fervor Of intense feeling. pro
claimed the candidate whom he wa
nominating as Hancock the Superb.
And as Dougherty uttered the worl
superb" every delegate present ha
= wildly pictured forth to his imagina
/ tion the qualities Of Hancock as ther
, had been displayed upon many a tiel
of battle Hancock the Superb wa
the cry instantly taken up by tn
A. convention, and II was for ''Hancoc
, the Superb" that the delegates at IN
1 first opportunity delivered the two
. thirds vote necessary for the nomins
ton.
I Copyright. 1912. by r. J. Edwardi
! All rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr Edwards will tell {
"A Mystery Of the Senate"