The Coconino sun., 1924-09-12
OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION
IN THE BY GONE YEARS

Those who listened, either in per
son or by radio, to the official noti-
fication ceremonies at Washington
and Evanston, H., when President
Coolidge and General Dawes were
notified that they were the Republi-
can candidates for President and Vice
President, respectively, were not
aware that these ceremonies date
back to December II, 1881, when
Henry Clay was notified by a COM
mittee from the Whig convention at
Baltimore that he was the partys
candidate for. President. Mr.. Clay
was in Washington and there were
no railroads or telegraph lines, and
even letters from Baltimore were
slow in arriving.
Mr.. Clay replied by stating he wish
ed the. convention had selected anoth-
er man, nevertheless II do not feel
at liberty to decline the nomination.
Thus in the earliest days of the
convention system, one of the most
striking features cf the nominating
system was introduced in precisely
the present form.
Conventions and notification cere-
monies languished for eight years.
The first Harrison was notified by
letter; and the custom Of official noti-
fication in person was not revived un-
til Mr.. Clay was again nominated at
Baltimore, in 1874. Again Mr.. Clay
was in Washington, and it required
several days for the nominee to make
up his mind.
Zachary Taylor was nominated by
a convention IN Philadelphia; but
there we're no fireworks or platform.
In fact, an old letter written by Gen
eral Taylor some time before was the
only platform on which he stood.
General Scott was notified by letter
and replied by letter.
The custom of personally notifying
the candidate was revived when FIRE.
mont was nominated. General FIRE.
mont lived in New York City and the
was held in the same
place. Dayton lived in Trenton, N.
j., and was notified there in person
by committee.
When Mr.. Lincoln was nominated
in Chicago, in 1860, notifying cele-
brations were firmly established. A
committee journeyed to Springfield,
Ill, and amid great enthusiasm mott
fled him of his selection. Spring
field was crowded with people from
all sections of the country, and the
day was made holiday. Mr.. Lin
coin accepted deeply and even pain
fully sensible of the great response
bility which is inseparable from this
high honor"
Mr.. Lincoln's second official mott
fication was in the White House.
His speech of acceptance was less
than $50 words. The gathering at the
White House was brilliant and nota-
Die.
General Grants first official noti
fication was by mail and his accept
ance by mail In his letter of ac-
ceptance he used the words so often
quoted from his saying: Let US
nave peace" His second official no
sification was in the White House
with considerable ceremony.
From the days of Mr. Hayes to-
the days of Mr.. Harding these Off
,ial notification ceremonies increased
N Importance and brilliancy. The
lOIIlSS VI LlIC WC1C IlAC
Meccas of all the celebrities; the
lays were made holidays. The only
Notable exception was the notification
Of Mr.. Garfield, in the Grand Pacific
1otel in Chicago.
The official notification of the
of Mr.. Blaine took place
on his beautiful lawn before his resi-
lence in Augusta, Maine. 1t was
gala day for Maine and the whole
party.