Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-05-20
pEAKER COLFAX NEARLY AS STRONG
CHANCES OF GOV. FENTON. SENATOR
WILSON, AND MR.. HAMLlN.
CBy Associated Press I


CHICAGO, ILL, May 2o.-The weather is fine
and clear. The Convention opened at noon, in
the Crosby Opera House, which was completely
filled. There are many ladies present. Thou
sands Of strangers have been turned away for
want Of rsom.
The excitement is intense: chiefly on the Vice
Presidency and impeachment. Some of the
Western delegates manifest a strong determi.
nation to press a vote denouncing the Repub.
hcan Senators who voted against the vic.
ton Of the President. Last night those who
opposed the reading Of said Senators out of
the party seemed to be in the ascendant
The probabilities are that the subject of i'm
peachment cannot be excluded from discus.
sion. The impeachment movement continues
to give Wade considerable additional strength
for Vice President.
The present indications are thai he will poll
one hundred to one hundred and twenty votes
on the first ballot, but his opponents say that
he cannot increase that vote. except for the fact
that Wade's nomination is urged as a rebuke TO
TTumbull. Fessenden, &c.
Speaker Colfax is evidently the strongest at
the start, as it is his vote nearly equals Wade's
at the beginning. His friends are confident
fearing only that he will be weakened by an
argument against the nomination of any West
ern mai for Vice President, which is being
urged by Wade's opponents.
Fenton's friends outside of the Convention
are numerous and active, but don't seem as
confident to-day as yesterday. Their best es.
innate gives Governor Fenton about ninety
votes, which they have hoped to increase ma
terially in the Southern delegations.
Senator Wilson's friends are numerous. but
nave no body to back them, though there is gen :
eral feeling that if New England would unite
ON him be would be nominated.
Hamlin Is also growing in favor for the Vice
Presidency, and if Wade's and Fenton-s friends
should become discouraged. many of their sup.
porters say that Hamlin is the next choice
Among the invited guests on the platform
General Grants father is conspicuous.
The latest opinion seems to be that if Wade is
not nominated his friends will decide the con-
test in favor either Of Coltax or Hamlin. Few
if any OF Wades friends are going to Fenton.
AT 1870 Governor Ward, Chairman of the
National Republican Committee, called the
Convention to order and made q brief ad.
dress. He SAID that the delegates here are
not to take any steps backwards to de-
monstrate that the war was a failure
An emancipated race had been lifted from sla.
very, and to-day unltes with the Republican
party TO maintain the Republican party. Nei.
ther aimed treason nor political treachery can
applause.l If you designate as our lead.
er the great Captain OF the age
the nation will greet it as precursor Of VIC
tory to our cause and peace to the republic.
[Applause.
Prayer was then offered by Bishop Simpson.
On motion, Carl Schurz, of Missouri, was
appointed temporary Chairman, and was con-
Quoted to the chair amid loud applause. He
delivered brief address, returning
thanks for the honor bestowed upon him.
He reviewed the history of the Republican
party, and asserted its triumphs in
support Of liberty, union, humanity
and equal rights. Reserring to Lincoln,
he said. We measure our loss through his death
by what he left behind him. Laughter and
applause.l He counseled moral courage, and
said victory will be true to the Republican
party as long as the Republican party is true to
itself. Let no passion carry US beyond the
bounds Of wisdom and self.respect. GAp.
plause.]
b. A. Cowan, of Ohio; Luther Caldwell, of
New York, and FL. Richards, Of Tennessee,
were appuinted temporary secretaries.
A committee of one from each State was ap-
pointed Committee on Credentials. A debate
arose on the call of California; when a double
delegation from that State was announced
Mr.. German, of California denounced bitter.
ly the contestants who dispute his delegation
He demanded the admission of his party
without question. and hoped the Convention
would not dignity the opposition by admitting
that there is a contest. The whole subject was
referred to the Committee on Credentials.