Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-25
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
Xn-THE SECOND JACKSON VICTORY.
By Frederic J. Haskin
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

came him to retire from the cabinet in
order that he could not be open to the
charge of using an official position to fur
ther his own candidacy. Jackson replied,
declaring his appreciation of the fine SEN
timent of his chief adviser and practically
putting his o. X. upon Van Buren's am
bition ultimately to succeed him.
Meanwhile, Clay was at his home at
Ashland, cherishing his grudge against
Jackson, and hoping to win in a third
race with Old Hickory He once in
while ventured from his retirement long
enough to let the public know he was
still 1.-The Harry of the vest and ready
for the fray. He was out and out against
Jackson's policies and let that fact be
known at every opportunity.
But while things were happening with
jackson and Clay there We're other parts
of the political world where things were
doing. The alleged kidnapping and muir
der OF Morgan by the Masons of western
New York for attempting to publish the
secrets of the order stirred up the people.
and brought into existence an anti-Ma-
sonic party, a party which proved very
strong in several state elections. ma
tional convention of the anti-Masons met
in Philadelphia in September, 1880, and
called a delegate convention to meet in
ton of candidates for the presidency and
vice presidency. 1t hoped to nominate a
ticket that could unite all the anti-Jack-
son forces. and to this end had practi
cally determined to support Justice Nc
Lean, formerly Postmaster General under
Jackson. but sent to the Supreme Court
bench because he was not vigorous
enough in carrying out the Ito the vic
tors belong the spoils'' policy of the
Jackson administration
When Mclean saw he could not unite all
the contending forces he withdrew, and
the n ion
Mclean Declines, m n ated WI
VIII A4. liam Witt, one of
the grand old men
Pennsylvania. Writ was in Baltimore at
the time. and delivered his speech of
acceptance to the convention. 1t was
about as remarkable a scene as when
the democratic convention of 1904 re-
ceived the Parker gold telegram" Writ
assured the convention that he was a
Mason, and that the Masonic order of
which Washington and his compeers
had been members not the sort of
an organization they were picturing He
fession in their hands. they wanted him
20 be their candidate. he would accept
And they voted to accept him, confess
sion and all. John Marshall the chief
justice of the United States was also in
Baltimore at the time, and accepted an
invitation to sit in the convention.
The democrats met in Baltimore and
nominated Van Buren, for Vice President,
but held that Jackson was SO much the
fJ,n hof ho
needed no nomination at their hands.
jackson was particularly delighted to
have Van Buren, as his running mate,
for that would permit him to force down
the threats of the Senate as its presiding
officer the man that body had refused to
confirm as minister to England. Further
more, If We may believe Parton, it looked
like step in the direction of carrying
out the succession plan of Jackson, which
would give Van Buren, eight years. to be
followed by eight years for Thomas H.
Benton.