White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-07-19
The Rustic National Chair Sent to Mr
Lincoln.

Many who attended the National Re
publican Convention. says the Chicago
Press, will:remember the unique and taste
full Rustic Chair, specimen of Michigan
ingenuity, brought by the delegates from
the Peninsula State, destined to be pres
ented to the nominee of the Convention.
Accompanying the same was full de-
scription and explanation of the chair
and its design. by the maker, Mr.. Meese,
of Hillsdale county.
The "Irrepressible Conflict" Chair { as
he terms it) is composed Of thirty four
varieties of timber, representing the thir-
ty-three States and Kansas, the names Of
which are inscribed upon the several pie.
ces respectively.
The two main posts Of the chair are
Hickory and Ash, in commemoration OF
the "Old Hero" of Tennessee, and the
Sage of Ashland" Of Kentucky. Kan.
sas, with her Affections. is represented by
limb of Weeping WILLOW and in a
similar manner appropriately throughout
the whole.
The ideas and principles intended to be
symbolized or represented, are
LIST. The true Democracy-the People;
and the great truth that all power ems-
mates from them.
I'd. Equality in privileges and respon-
sibilities and, though all cannot hold
equally conspicuous positions, yet the
functions of all are necessary to the COM
2lete whole.
Sd. Free Labor, the wealth of a nation
its support in peace, and defense in
war.
4th. The union of the States, the IN
ion of interest; a union for strength,
union for action, union for good.
Finally, the chair is. presented to the
Nominee Of the National Republican
Convention as a symbolic address to i'm
press upon him the justice and necessity
of being a National and not Sectional
Executive, as the last two who have oc
cupied that position have been.
The chair was, by the election Of the
Michigan delegation, placed in the hands
of Judge D. V. Bell, of Chicago, to be
forwarded to Mr.. Lincoln at Springfield.
The subjoined correspondence shows how
well and satisfactorily the mission has
been performed:
CHICAGO, June 4, 1860.
Hon. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Springfield, ILL.,:
Dear Sir: By the United States Ex-
press of TO day, l forward to your ad.
dress, ''rustic chair" which, at the re-
quest and with the compliments of the
donor, Mr.. j. d. Meese, of OsSeo, Hills
dale county, Michigan, l have the honor
to present for your acceptance. This
chair was expressly made for the person
who should be nominated as a candidate
for the Presidency by the National Re-
publican Convention, and during the ses-
sion of that body it held a conspicuous
place among the seats of honor in the
great "Wigwam," where it was deposit
ted by the Michigan delegation.
1t is, as will be seen on examination,
composed of thirty-four different kinds
of wood, appropriately labelled, and
symboliking the union of the several
States, including Kansas. which are re-
spectively represented the whole inge
niously' combined in a structure, which,
though rude in form, may be considered
an emblem of the "Choir of State"
which. through the united suffrages of
your fellow citizens. it is believed you are
destined to occupy. ...f
On behalf of the donor respectfully
ask your acceptance Of this token Of his
patriotism, and with profound admira-
ton for your personal character, and an
ardent love for the great principles Of
freedom, of which You are the seknowl-
edged representative, / have the honor to
be, dear sir,
Most respectfully, your obi servant.
-.- W.. D. V. BELL.
P. ST. enclose Mr.. Meese's descrip-
ton of the chair, and statement Of the
ideas and principles intended to be sym
bolized in its construction.
SPRISGFIELD, ILL.,, June 5. 1860.
Judge D. v. Bell
My DEAR Sir: The chair which you
designate as. the "Chair of State" is
duly at hand aud gratefully accepted
In view of what it symbOiizes. might it
not be called the "Chair of State and
the Union of States ?" The conception
Of the maker is pretty, patriotic and
q national one. f'Cu
Allow me to thank both you and him
much, for the chair, and more for the
sentiment which pervades its structure.
suI Your obedient servant,
..--r -ors A. LINCOLN.