Evening star., 1926-06-06
By j. l.. SHERARD

1882 the question of its re
peal has become a vital issue OF
party policy and threatens to precipi-
tate bitter fight in the 1928 conven
ton. At New York in 1924 the opera
ton of the rule made impossible the
nomination of either McAdoo or
Smith the leading candidates. ana
threw the empty honor to John W.
Davis as q compromise candidate.
Party leaders. it appears, are sharp
ly divided in opinion as TO the WISDOM
of repeating the rule, and already. as
the preliminary Skirmishes FOR ad-
vantage are beginning to cast their
long shadows across the 1928 presi-
dental contest. the lines are being
tightly drawn in an effort to repeal
rule which was founded in expedlency
and which has risen many times TO
devil party candidates and to endanger
party harmony.
Started by Jackson.
The Democratic convention held at
Baltimore in 1882, at which the rule
was adopted. was dominated by An
drew Jackson. nominated without op-
position for second term.
jackson was d staunch Unionist. He
represented the wing of the party
that demanded a strong central gov
tional unity and solidarity. Opposed
TO him was John c. Calhoun, Vice
President under John Quincy Adams
and also under Jackson's first admin
tstration.
These two leaders of the political
thought of the day. representing con-
flicting ideas of government that had
grown out of the old confederation
and that persisted under other leaders
l1I.t 20 sword
in the COS, split over the question
rs to which power should have the as
cendancy in government, the Federal
authority or the individual States.
The proximate cause of the revolt
of Calhoun and those who held his
views grew out of the tariff acts OF
1924 and 1928. which marked sharp
advance in the system or protectlon
Of home industries and manufactures.
The South, relying upon the un-
skilled labor of slaves was engaged
In agricultural pursuits to the ex-
clusion of almost everything else. 1t
had no manufactures. 1t therefore
objected most strenuously to sys-
tenn that helped TO enrich Northern
manufacturers at its expense
Started Notification Move.
Opposition to the high tariff fos-
tered the movement for nullihcatlon.
eliminating in the adoption OF the
ordinance by South Carolina in No
vember, 1882, forbidding the payment
of the customs duties under the tartn
law and setting at defiance the au-
thorjty of the Federal Government
itself. Jacksons vigorous action
brought the State back into line. But
before this. in April, 1880, at gath
ering Of leading Democrats at WASH
tngton to celebrate the birthday or
Thomas jefferson, the regular toasts
had been so arranged by sympa-
thizers as to suggest and emphasize
notification, and it was then that
President Jackson took occasion to
rebuke the whole proceeding by CIV
ing a voluntary toast, The Federal
Union: 1t must be preserved" Vice
President Calhoun retorted with an
other to Liberty dearer than
Union" These mutual dehances were
the entering wedge Of the breach
that tore the two men apart and
turned them into bitter, unrelenting
enemies.
Jackson was no halfway fighter.
He always meant what he said and
said what he meant. and moreover ne
had the courage to resist TO the limit
Of force any movement he considered
o menace to the integrity Of the Fed
eral Union.
Kitchen Cabinet" Powerful.
Before the two great leaders en-
saged in their final struggle for the
mastery Of an idea they had been
friends and political allies. But after
ghe Jefferson banquet, which had pro-
vided an occasion for an open clash,
Calhoun, who had a will as stub
bornly unyielding as that of Jack
son. began collecting material for
deliberate attack on the President.
Martin Van Buren,. then Secretary OF
State and some private friends of
the President were the real power
behind the throne, their secret cabal
being known as the kitchen cabinet"
The rising influence of Van Buren, as
an adminstra ton favorite was
crowiing out the unbending Calhoun,
who, smarting under the loss of pres
tige and eager to gain control as
leader of his party. made his prom
March 1881 1t was followed by the
breaking up of the cabinet. Van
Brikeh. to whose crafty Vaccinations
Calhoun laid the bad feeling that had
arisen between himself and the
President. resigned. and the other
r&nabers of the ca abinet followed suit.
blnJanuary. 1882. two months be-
fotesthe convention of the party at
Baatimore. the nomination Of Van
B,hen as Minister to England came
ups in the, Senate for confirmation.
TheHvote was so arranged by parti-
sahs as to cause a tie (23 to 23),
tht n1otive being to afford Calhoun
ans Opportunity to take dig at his
eneruy by voting off the tie. Van
Brren had already gone to his post
Of fkduty at London, circumstance
thSt added all the more to his hu-
Eqiat'en- 1t was an inexcusaoIe
sAtnAr than to hurt Van Buren and
b weaken Calhoun's hold on public
confidence.
I'LL First Convention Held.
The wear 1882 was the first time
and lgpolitical party had chosen its
Candidates by party conventions such
as are in vogue todny. 1t marked an
adfance in popular government over
the Old method Of selection by caucus
and Nominations or recommendation
byk State Legislatures. Calhoun was
AgAfn in line for the Vice Presidency.
backed by the solid strength OF the
extremists Of the South. He hoped to
succeed "Old Hickory as, Chief Exc
outive at the end of the old warriors
second term, and had it not been for
the break between them it is almost
cert Ain that Calhoun would have real
lied his great ambition.
The Democrats assembled at Balti-
m@rR in March. 1882. The Calhoun
fa4tlHn was strong enough, it was
.edrBh by the opposition, to force his
notnihation as running mate Of Jack
SOD To prevent this. Jackson and bis
: lisAtenants. the suave and foxy Van
Buren, among them, hit upon the
echNruA ~ recurring 4 two-thirds vote