Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-07-24

racy in Congress and upon the stump.
He accepted the invitation from mo
tives of curiosity more than anything
else, and went to the supper to see how
the Senatorial aspirants would conduct
themselves. He found them all assem-
bled, Gov. Lucas and Mr.. Lytle being
the most prominent, and after supper,
in accordance with previous under
standing, they were each in turn toasted
and called upon to speak. Lucas &C
quilted himself fairly, others not so
we'll, and then, taking advantage Of the
most favorable opportunity, Lytle, the
Cincinnati candidate, was introduced,
greeted with cheers, which there was q
good deal of reason to believe had been
arranged for in advance, and then lifted
upon one of the tables By his admirers.
From this somewhat insecure, but new
ertheless conspicuous position, he made
an exceedingly witty and effective after
dinner speech. One or two of the old
er heads who were not given too much
to wine-drinking, seemed to have a sus-
picion that it was not exactly the adj
dress which might have been expected
from candidate for so important and
responsible a position as Senator of the
United States. The great majority of
those present, however, voted the speech
an admirable one, and, with loud cheers
for Lytle, were about to break up the
entertainment. Indeed, some of them
were on the point of leaving the dining
hall, when it was suggested that there
was a distinguished ex-Democratic
member of Congress present, and that
he be asked to say few words. Imme-
diately there was movement to place
Allen upon the table which Lytle had
just been lifted from, but he said that
he preferred to remain where he was,
and from dark corner of the room, in
q position where his tall, commanding
form showed to the best advantage, he
commenced his speech. Keenly appre-
ciating dramatic situations of every
sort, and having but little patience with
the light tone of Lytle's address, he
commenced with all the earnestness be
could command to discuss grave ques.
tions of State, and with that great com
mand of language and vigor of utter.
ance for which he was noted, urged the
Democratic Representatives to worthily
perform the duties which had been in.
trusted to them; warned them of the
dangers which threatened their party
in the State and nation, and closing in
the most impressive style sat down
amid shouts of applause which shook
the building. Going out-shoitly after
ward he noticed ten or twelve of the
older men talking earnestly together
AS he was about to pass one of then
put his arm about him and said: "You
are to be our candidate for United
States Senator" Quickly seeing hi.
opportunity Allen took The hint, pu
his friends to work, made character
istic personal canvass, and when tn
Democratic caucus met was nominatet
on the second ballot, receiving ever,
vote polled. In March, 1887, he tool
his seat, the youngest man ever elected
to the United States Senate.
REFUSING THE PRESIDENCY.
1t was while Senator Allen was serving ou
] his second term that the memorable Demo
cratic Convention of 1S4S was held in Balti
more. His friends had urged him to be can
didate, but he did not see his way clear to
nomination. and had always declined to ALLOW
his name to be used. When the Convention
, came together, however, it was found that th
delegates were nearly equally divided betwee
| L. Il
tiers of both gentlemen refused to yield, and
was feared that bitter and disastrous quarre
would be the result. In their anxiety to max
a compromise. but still unwilling to give up
each other, committee, composed of bot
Cass and Van Buren men, went over from Bal
tlmore to Washington, 10 consult with Sena
tor Allen and see if be would accept the nom
ination. 1t was nearly midnight when the
, arrived at his house, and the servants toll
them that he had retired to his room and coul
not be seen. They insisted upon being admit
ted, however, and going to the Senator
rooms, found him sitting on the edge Of th
! bed in his night clothes. He was not q ma
to take offense at the intrusion. They wer
sure Of that, and, without ceremony they q
once made known the object OF their visit =
They told him that they were hopelessiy diyi
ded between Cess aud Van Buren; that lher
| was hO PAOspOSe euob GO0A0 DC dDlC W oCl
tie their differences, ano for the sake Of bar
mony, and, as they said, hoping to serve tn
best interests of the party, they formally offer
: ed him the nomination, with the assuranc
that the Convention would indorse and ratif
any action they might take The Senate
never changed his position. In his night-dres
as he was. he sat there on the edge Of his mar
: row bed and thought over the tempting offe
which was being made to him. He has neve
, denied that he was gratified by 1t, or that b
was ambitious to be President. There is n
doubt that it cost him a grest struggle to re
fuse the nomination; but he die refuse, AM
for the reason that to accept it would hav
been to betray Cass. His mind was quickl
made up, and turning to the committee, b
said quietly, but with much suppressed emo
ton:
Gentlemen, thank you but cannot &C
cept."
''Why7 why?" they asked, almost In on
breath, and he replied:
81 will be frank with you. Your offer is th
most tempting one which has ever come to m
in my life. / want to accept it but cannot
l viii not, because thro' all this contest hav
been the personal friend and adviser of Mr.
, Cass. have always been friendly with Mr.
Van Buren, but Cass has trusted me absolutel
with all the details of his canvass; has takel
, my advice in everything; has done nothing o
importance which did not meet my approval
For me to accept the nomination after all thi
would seem very much ike-indeed, thinl
it would be-a very treacherous betrayal Of m,
friend. For these reasons must not and vii
not accept the nomination. am for CaSs un
! til the end, and if you really want to serve m
, you will 60 back to Baltimore and nominal
him."
They did as he requested them, and mex
day Cass was made the Democratic candidat
, for President. Mr.. Allen has never regrettel
this loyalty to the man who trusted him.
, Shortly after the adjournment Of the con
vention, Cass came to him and said: "Allen
you have sacrificed great deal for me, but
want you TO serve me still further"
: Command me SIR was his only reply.
| "a thousand thanks, said Cass, in the i'm
pulsive and just little insincere fashic
| Ix.yhi nha ranforicfir r1fh hin, and then q