Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-24

HENRY {. LODGE in preSldentla1 history was
James K. Polk. nominated and elected inHS44.
In the previous campaign Van Buren had been
defeated by "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too."'
The Democrats declared that the Wings had
won by fraud and claptrap. They made
the charge-the first time it had appeared in
connection with national politics-that the
victory had been due to the power of money.
And before Harrison was inaugurated they
had resolved that they would bring Van Buren,
forward again and elect him.. In the next
three years "a of the 26 States in their State
Democratic conventions pronounced in favor
of Van Buren, and more than three-fourths
of the conventions instructed their delegates
to Baltimore to support him.
But late in 1s43 the Democrats were dis
cordant. Most of them were Jealous in their
adherence to the fortunes of the eX-Presldent,
but there were other possibilities with fol-
lowings to be reckoned with. Calhoun de-
cined an invitation to visit Ohio in semi
public way on the ground that he ought not
TO do so while his name was before the coun-
try as candidate for its highest office. Col.
onel r. NJ Johnson, of Kentucky who had
been Vice President made tour through the
North in which he assured the people that
nothing could prevent the election Of Henry
Clay in 1874 except his own candidacy. Lewis
Cass' boom was assuming considerable pro-
portions. James Buchanan had been put for
ward as Pennsylvania's "favorite son."
Texas Defeated Little Van"
Then the question of the annexation of
Texas was reopened. The South, with its
slaveholding interests, was strong for bring
ing Texas into the Union. Clay and Van Buren,
issued statements the subjects They
agreed that annexation without the consent
mi
cared themselves opposed to the pending
treaty with the Texas republic. Van Buren's
stand defeated him. The time before the
Baltimore convention was short, but it was
long enough. The twothirds rule originally
adopted in 1892 was put into operation after
a strenuous battle. On the first ballot Van
Buren, received 17S of the 266 votes. He held
his own through the day The eighth ballot
was taken on the second day of the con-
vention. The sensation carefully prepared in
advance by the foes of Little Van was
sprung. member of the Maine delegation
remarked that 1t was time ito draw the fire
of Tennessee" The result was announced:
Van Buren,. 1O4; Cass, ia; Polk, A. 1t was
the first time that Folks name had appeared
in the balloting Before the ninth ballot Van
Burens name was withdrawn-'for the sake
of harmony" as they say in politics. New
after delegation followed suit and the Ten
nesseean received every single vote in the
convention. The first dark horse was nom
mated and elected.
The Republican convention Of 1880 was a
dark horse convention. Lodge was a delegate
from Massachusetts,. AS he said to an inter
viewer recently. II voted for Edmunds and
against Blaine and Grant However Massa-
chusetts helped to nominate General Garfield,
and my vote was given with the rest"
Grants Elusive Third Term
That convention met at Chicago. The two
strongest candidates were Grant, who had
been President two terms, and James G. Blaine
John sherman and George +. Edmunds pos
sessed considerable strength on the first day
OF voting 2s trials to nominate a party eandi-
date were made. Grant led the ballots Ia his
favor auctuating between so2 and s0s. Blaine
followed with Els 70 2s5 votes Sherman came
nezt. Washbnfne. 81 Iiiinois: Egaaunaa. of
Vermont aad n'indome of ulnnesota. rsesiFsd
support 81 - afth ballot 4 esfe4 eeIa
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