1872 Democratic National Convention
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2011) |
| 1872 Presidential Election | |
|---|---|
  Nominees Greeley and Brown |
|
| Convention | |
| Date(s) | July 9-July 10 |
| City | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Venue | Ford's Grand Opera House |
| Candidates | |
| Presidential Nominee | Horace Greeley of New York |
| Vice Presidential Nominee | B. Gratz Brown of Missouri |
The 1872 Democratic National Convention was a presidential nominating convention held at Ford's Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland on July 9 and 10, 1872. It resulted in the nomination of Horace Greeley of New York and B. Gratz Brown of Missouri for President and Vice President, a ticket first nominated by the Liberal Republican Party.
The convention was called to order by Democratic National Committee chairman August Belmont. Thomas Jefferson Randolph served as the convention's temporary chairman and James R. Doolittle served as permanent president. At six hours in length, stretched over two days, the convention was the shortest major political party convention in history.[1]
The Convention
Accepting the Liberal platform meant the Democrats had accepted the New Departure, rejecting the anti-Reconstruction platform of 1868. They realized to win they had to look forward, and not try to refight the Civil War.[2] Also, they realized they would only split the anti-Grant vote if they nominated a candidate other than Greeley. However, Greeley's long reputation as the most aggressive attacker of the Democratic party, its principles, its leadership, and its activists cooled enthusiasm for the nominee.
Presidential Candidates
-
Former Representative William S. Groesbeck of Ohio
Horace Greeley received 686 of the 732 delegate votes cast on the first ballot. The motion to have Greeley's nomination be declared unanimous was carried.
| Presidential Ballot | ||
| 1st | Unanimous | |
|---|---|---|
| Horace Greeley | 686 | 732 |
| Jeremiah S. Black | 21 | |
| James A. Bayard | 15 | |
| Blank | 8 | |
| William S. Groesbeck | 2 | |
Source: Official proceedings of the National Democratic convention, held at Baltimore, July 9, 1872. (September 3, 2012).
Vice Presidential Candidates
Benjamin G. Brown received 713 of the 732 delegate votes cast on the first ballot.
| Vice Presidential Ballot | |
| 1st | |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Gratz Brown | 713 |
| Blank | 13 |
| John W. Stevenson | 6 |
Source: Official proceedings of the National Democratic convention, held at Baltimore, July 9, 1872. (September 3, 2012).
References
↑Jump back a sectionExternal links
| Preceded by 1868 New York |
Democratic National Conventions | Succeeded by 1876 St. Louis |
