, 1884-06-27
ILLINOIS VICTORY.
How Lin,oln's Nomination Was se-
cured in 1860.
The Work Which David Davis Did
for fhe MISUNDERSTANDING
Weeds D~efeat-The
Total Cost.
lBon: PerleY Poore.l

I'll lD'u. tcToy IOOlb.l
Tho second National Republican conven-
ton was called to meet at Chicago on
ednesdhy, May 10, 1850. and Mr.. Stewards
friends regarded his nomination for presi-
dent as certain 1'be Illinois state Repub
Heah~ convention met at Decatur a 70 might
previous It was attended by the political
friends ut Abraham Lincoln, who had writ
ten urging them TO cone, as he thought that
II supported by the Illinois delegation he
might secure the domination. Few of them
agreed with him, but they worked zealously
for him, AMI elected three Lincoln delegates
at-lurge-David DAVIS, Norman B. judd and
stephen 7, Logan The other delegate. Or
vile Il Browning, was a Bates man, but
Lincoln approved of his election, saying that
Bates would have no show, aud that when
browning saw this, he would not only go
over 20 him, but would take some of his
friends with him. .
Judge Davis had never attended a primary
meeting or n caucus much less a convention,
but Lincoln prevailed upon him to 90 to
Chicago and conduct his campaign. The
Judge arrived on the scene OF Lotion the
Saturday night previous to the meeting Of
the convention. He found that tie larlors
ut the hotels had ell been engaged, and he
had To establish his headquarters In two small
connecting rooms in the third story of the
fremont hOuse. The outlook was not en-
SOufoBADBI II Inc only LlnCOlu men on the
ground we're g few Of the delegates from
Illinois and Indiana. Thurlow Weed had
thoroughly organized the Seward cohorts,
aud the streets were Oiled with thousands
who were shouting the New York war cry.
Lincoln's raw levies were scattered far and
wide, aud lett at the mercy of disciplined
politicians. They had no organization.
They were even without a headquarters.
The hotels were packed with the noisy
friends of Bates and Seward.
David Davis proved himself a political
Cnrnot, and threw the RailspLtter's Gag to
the breeze. Tn raw ley,es were gathered
and disciplined. Night and day was he busy.
forming combinations and visiting deieea-
tions. HoTnce Greeley, under the guise of a
delegate from Oregon. appeared es the leader
OF the Bates men, and Thuriow Weei footed
deiance from his Seward bugls. Davis Wis
tied both leaders, and was showered with
chaff. But bis raw levies were not without
backing. On Saturday night he to egIaphed
to the lawyers of tine eighth circuit, assuring
them that I'D Abs's stock was rising. and that
its vdlus would b. greatly enhanced by the
presence OF his frienis in force. 1t was an
electric shock. The slate was aroused. On
Monday aud Tuesday trains poured into. tie
city overlooking with Lincoln shouters.
They were enthusiastic friends, who gladly
paid their own way out OF love for Lincoln.
They Inassed themselves in the streets, and
raised "a din that astonished the noisy Ie-
tainers of Seward. They thronged the cor
riuors OF the hotels, and invoke the echoes of
the night with their cheers. Hourly their
number Increased. They poured into the
wigwam us soou as the doors were opened,
and the very atmosphere Of the convention
seemed surcharged with their enthusiasm.
The two small roomS on the thirI floor of
the remon house were the scene OF I'M
wonted activity. Every order was promptly
executed. Lawyers acted as messengers and
u iges watched the cars for belated dele
gates. Under Davis's gu dance the work
was thoroughly done. When lie entered the
city on Saturday night barely fifty weak
kneed delegates stood under tue Lincoln flag.
On the first ballot the Railsplitter polled la
votes to 1857 Tor Seward and IS for Bates.
The lanky cohorts i'll the gallery nearly lifted
the roof with their cheers. The second ballot
ave Lincoln 1871, Sewa d lo5L and Bates IS.
Again tie biaWJy friends OF o d Abe roared
with delight The Seward inen turned pale,
ami Tnurlow's knees sInOte together as he
saw the writing on tie wall. Lincoln was
animated on the next ballot by a vote Of
654 to hoy for Seward, ami the whole state
OF Illinois was tUrown into ecstGcy. Tint
night Judge Davis went to bed for the fir {
time in six days, having conquered at a tot I
cost, all told, OF 500. srr.
Judge Davis went to Springfield on thu
next day, AMI had a long in, erview with Mr..
Lincoln. The candidate offered to refund
the 500, but the judge said that his friends
would not hear OF 1t. r. Lincom's friends
urged Judge Davis to take the stuuip In his
behalf. He dill SO, and ma Ia most effective
speeches. Nor dill he relax. his exertions'
until the closing OF the polls lincoln car
iied the state 10y a pluranty of II ,941 Iver
Douglas. and a majority of only 4 ~ over
all tue candidates, N u popular vote of $780,
Ip3