Evening star., 1952-07-23
Stevenson of Illinois


has said several times, in several ways, and with
seeming sincerity that he does not wish to be
nominated for President by the 1852 Democratic
National Convention. At this moment it looks
very much as if Governor Stevenson will be so
nominated-deSpite what appears to be belated
left-wing- INSPIRED oppoSition-and 1t has been
indicated that he would accept such nomination.
There have been three occasions in which
major American political party has nominated
a presidential candidate against his expressed
will. The first so chosen was George Washington,
who was genuinely wearied by his military leader
ship OF the new country and anxious to remain at
Mount Vernon. He was persuaded then, however,
that no one had his qualifications to be the first
Chief Executive. The second was former Cover
nor Horatio Seymour of New York, chairman of
the Democratic National Convention in 1868, to
whom the party stampeded on a 22d ballot
after being deadlocked between Chief Justice
Chase and Senator Hendricks of Indiana.
Seymour repeatedly planned to ask the conven-
tion to reconsider but 1T adjourned before he
could do So He waged a strong but losing
campaign against General Grant. The third was
James Garfield, floor manager for Republican
Secretary of Treasury John Sherman in 1880.
When the first votes were cast for Garfield on
the saith ballot after long deadlock between
General Grant and Senator Blaine Garfield
sought a ruling that they were invalid because
unauthorized by him. He failed in this and was
nominated on the seth ballot going on to win
the presidency.
In each of these cases it is fair to say that
the nominations represented conviction of the
delegates that the individuals chosen would be
strong candidates. that they would, in fact, be
winners. In 1852, each of the major parties is
perhaps more determined than usual to find its
strong man-its winner. The Republicans turned
from the established party leadership to entice-
almost to draft-General Eisenhower The Dem.
ocrats now seem about to turn likewise from the
really old-style professional ranks to draft the
52-year-old, middle of the-road type Governor
of Illinois.
Adlai Stevenson is a lawyer by profession
and grandson of former Vice President of the
United States. He served in appointive office in
Washington briefly in the early thirties, returned
during the war for several assignments, and
represented the United States in several of the
formative United Nations conferences.
His race for Governor in 1948 was his first
bid for elective Office and the results explain a
great deal of the delegate enthusiasm for him
today. In State where Democratic Governors
have been the exception Mr.. Stevenson was
elected by a margin of $4,000 votes, the largest
ever given gubernatorial candidate and
startling contrast to the $4,000 vote margin held
by President Truman. In the years between,
his administration of the State Office has had
a reform quality and has been generally con-
sidered efficient and businesslke.
The Governors whole behavior in the face
of the Stevenson-for-P President boom might we'll
strengthen him as a candidate or as President.
All indications are that seeking no support, he
has made no commitments. 1t is adequately
clear from his record and his statements that
he is internationally minded in favoring the
United Nations and our efforts to establish and
maintain collectively the security of the free
world. 1t is comparably clear that he is not an
unqualified Fair Dealer, and that his preference
as to platform would be declaration on which
all the party could stand in reasonable harmony.
His bandwagon in Chicago reflects this same
broadness of appeal with Governors, members
of Congress and ordinary citizen-delegates joined
in pressing for his draft.
His difference from the rabble -rousing type
Of political candidate was reflected in his address
of welcome to the convention on Monday-a
short, cogent and dignif1ed speech that drew the
warm and quick approval of a politically wise
assemblage. His nomination to oppose General
Eisenhower would probably assure a type of
campaign-at least by the principals fitting to
the great Office being sought.