The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-05

MYTH democratic victory next
wv month the historic party
founded by Jefferson, should be able 10
retain power for many years consec-
,,tivelv. as in the early decades OF the
REPUBLICS life. Of tbs thirty-two presi-
dent;al terms from Washington's in
auguration / n
po,;.;..1 Parties 1889 until the
That Come and Go present time 10
have been filled
Inv the election of democrats, ana
nearly a full term-three years ana
eleven months-by the succession OIL
Vice President Tyler on the death OIL
William Henry Harrison, a wing.
When Tyler was nominated Tor the
vice presidency he was classed as a
whig, but he had democratic lean
ing and. at the beginning OF his IN
cumbency of the executive ottlce'
changed his allegiance to the demo-
cratic party.
So there have been II demo.
cratic administrations in all. II Mr.
Tilden, who was elected in 1876, had
not been a timid man, but had as
serted himself boldly and claimed
what his adherents claimed were his
RIGHTS. one more democratic admin
;stration would have been added to the
galaxy. But the Sage of Gramercy
Park" as the great statesman was
styled, being afraid that another civil
war might result from his Inaugural
ton. acauiesced in the action of Con-
gress creating an electoral commission
of eight republicans and seven demo-
Gratis which counted him out and
counted Rutherford B. Hayes in.
Tilden had carried New York, Con-
necticut, New Jersey and Indiana, and
on the face Of the returns Oregon and
all the states south of the Mason and
Dixon line; but the commission threw
out the electoral votes of South Caro-
lima, Florida, Louisiana and Oregon
on charges of ballot box fraunds.
On the partisan findings of the
eight-to-seven board Mr.. Hayes
received 1876 votes and Tilden
1874. While this exciting episode
in American history is fresh In
the minds of thousands of citi-
zens who were of voting age at the
time, the younger generation, only
knowing the facts from books or by
hearing, can scarcely realize what a
menace to the south it was. But Presi-
dent Hayes was peace-maker, and
his conciliatory policy caused the peo-
pie soon to forget their tragic griev-
ance.
In ante-bellum days there were
many minor parties, as there have
been since, but only two Gre
ated much commotion or carried
single state. William Writ of
Virginia, who had the distinction
of being the only man who
held a cabinet position-Attorney
General--twelve years, was can
didate for President on the anti Ma
sonic ticket in 1882. He carried one
state-Vermont. His canvass was
based on the kidnapping of Morgan,
and owing to the fact that Writ had
been initiated an entered apprentice
and "passed to the degree of fellow
craft" the Masons naturally resented
with much bitterness his attacks on
the fraternity. Writ was recognized
as one of the greatest lawyers in the
United States and a man of ire
proachable character, but his over
weening vanity and craving for high
office made him ridiculous. He really
thought he had a chance OF being
elected on an issue that had listle APP
peal to intelligent people. The anti
Masonic party soon fell by the way.
The only other minor party that
ever carried state was the Ameri-
can. commonly known as the "know
nothing" party. Millard Fillmore. who
had been elected vice president as a