Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-02
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS
IL. The Grant-Seymour Race of 1868
. By FREDERIC j. HASKIN -

great ioyalistic and patriotic gathering
Quite by accident a most peculiar CO.
Incidence, a national soldiers and sailors
convention met in New York on the same
day. That convention, entirely distinct
from the one that had met In Chicago
In May. recommended to the Democratic
convention the nomination OF Gen Win
field Scott Hancock. But the Democrats
didn't approve the recommendation.
Despite the fact. not then so apparent
that the Democrats did not have show
to defeat Grant with anybody they might
name, there was a great contest over the
nomination. In the first place, Andrew
johnson, President OF the United States
wanted to run on the Democratic ticket
He wrote letter saying he would ac-
cept the nomination. Then George II.
Pendleton OF Ohio was there as the EN-
bodiment OF the 'greenback" sentiment
which was gaining ground all over the
country On the first ballot Pendieton
led, johnson was second and Hanc0ca
third, with dozen other candidates In
the Geld.
TWO sHREwD POLITICIANS
IN BATTLE ROYAL.
In that convention were\ the two
shrewdest politicians who ever entered
the national arena under the Democratic
bapner-Horatio Seymour and Samuel. J.
Tilden. Seymour was president Of the
convention. Tilden was leading the New
York delegation. Seymour was the CHIEF
conspirator In a scheme to stampede ttN
convention to Salmon p. Chase II there
was ever q man who wanted 10 be Presl-
dent II was salmon f. Chase. And II
ever an aspirapt had a supporter who
was always faithful and always enthu-
siashc, IL was Chase's daughter, Kate
Chase sprague. Chase had been n can.
didate In various parties before the war,
he had opposed Lincoln for the nomlna.
ton in 1854, and Lincoln had returned
good for evil by making his chief Jus
tice Of the Supreme Court despite the
memory OF fAs quarrel with Chase as
Secretary OF the Treasury early in his
administration.
1t was now 1888 and Chase was again
a candidate, this time for the Democratic
leadership. He had presided over the
trial OF Andrew johnson as chef Justice
and the fairness and impartiality" Of
bis rulings were specifically commended
In the Democratic platform. Seymour
had fixed II up to give Chase the nomI-
nation. After the twenty hrst ballot was
taken on the fifth day OF the convention,
Seymour left the chair to 60 out In the
hall and organize the Chase STAN pede
which was to come OF on the twenty
third ballot,
TILDEN BEsTs OPPONENT.
KATE CHASE REyF.NGED
Now Samuel j. Tiiden was there and
he was absolutely opposed 10 the noml-
nation of Chase. He was informed as to
Seymour's plans and Seymour had left
the chair but moment when Tilden
was In action. He started the Seymour
stampede on the twenty second ballot.
Seymour rushed back TO the plat FORM
and as State after State followed Tilden's
lead, he shouted: Gentlemen, your can
didate can not be, your candidate +
can not be-" But be was. And eight
years afterward, when Samuel j. Tilden
was contesting his right to the presidency
before an extraconstitutional tribunal.
Kate Chase Sprague remembered that It
was Tilden who blocked her fathers last
hope OF the presidency, and was revenged.
The election was walkawa5 for Grant
He received PA electoral votes to Sey-
mour's 80 Seymour carried only eight
States.
The campaign was not close one. but
It was bitter as gall The Republican
orators all over the country made dem
ocracy" and rebellion" out to be synony.
moss, utterly ignoring the records OF the
"war Democrats" This attitude led to
arrangements at the North and paved
the way for the great Liberal Republican
revolt which was to come four years
later.