The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-05


and at the hotels one hears but little about
the Worlds Columbian exposition, and
much regarding the Democratic conven-
tion that will be called to order on the 2lst
Of June by Calvin s. Brice, chairman Of
the national committee.
Speculation is rife regarding the possible
nominee. There are Cleveland men and
Hill men Of course, but also find many
who are partisans OF either B0ies or Cor
man or Palmer The governor OF Iowa and
the seuators from Maryland and Illinois
are regarded as lin it" when the battle IS
on and the delegates, ranged under the
banners OF their states render the verdict
they have been ordered TO bring in by their
constituents.
BY common consent the long two story
structure in which the contest will take
place is called a "wigwam,' and perhaps
that title is as appropriate ms any Tor IL
will be here today and gone tomorrow. IL
is "a temporary affair, 500 by 300 ieet' ana Is
10 be torn down after serving its purpose.
Yet. although it has ne actual perma-
nencr. It will live in history as do other
wigwams where red men and white have
met 10 confer and decide upon the conduct
Of high enterprises, involving momentous
questions either of peace or war
II was in a wigwam that Tecumseh and
his chiefs arranged to wage that fierce
strife that ended in disaster 20 the savage
arms. I'm a wigwam Pontiac urged his
comrades To boodshed, and in wigwam
Black Hawk arranged with his councillors
the details of the Illinois campaign, IN
which Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson
Davis served as brothers in arms.
So often and so closely were the white
men I'm contact with the aborigines either
as friends or foes that naturally the for
mer adopted some Of tie latter's terms.
Tammany. the great Democratic organiza-
ton of New York city, is named after an
Indian. meets IN q ''wigwam' and has
"sachem' for leader Also 10 was IN
"wigwam" ia this city that Lincoln tri-
umphcd over Seward and entered on that
career at Washington that was 20 be so
glorious and yet so m0urnfu, that was TO
see the country rent by strife and cemented
IN new bonds Of union by the blood Of
million brave men. and that was 70 close
in tragedy and compel the tears Of friend
and foe alike.
IL was in May Of 1850 that Lincoln and
Hamhn were chosen as the standard bear
ers Of the Republican party and at that
celebrated wigwam, which is now but
memory, got my first taste of that politi-
cal malaria chat once absorbed never leaves
the blood My father was delegate and
an aboliti0nist Of the ab0liti0nists. So he
took me, a mere led, TO the convention 10
drink in the wisdom Of universal freedom
at what be thought its fountain head.
j remember the wrangle of preliminalies,
the roar of debate, the anxiety Of the roll
calls. the yells Of victory when odd Abe
got there" and the silence OF defeat which
characterized the supporters Of Seward;
but these are misty and indistnct com
pared with two other incidents-one the
phenomenal lung power of a farmer, who
was imported specially to lead the ap-
plause for Lincoln, and the other the sight
Of a sign on Lake street stuck III the middle
of the mud road and labeled, NO bottom
here
Well, as the French say, "Other days,
other manners" Lake street is now well
paved and lined by costly business blocks,
and. so far as comfort and capacity are
concerned, the Democratic wigwam OF 1892
will knock the spots off the famous Re
publican structure OF thirty odd years ago.
BY the way, wonder if it has ever oc-
CURED TO the reader that Chicago is the
luckiest convention city in the history Of
politicsg mean by that. that the nomi-
nees chosen here have scored larger per
centage of success than those selected else
where, barring Harrisburg, which has only
had one convention--the one at which Will
liam Henry Harrison got his nomination.
Outside Of this exception, twelve cities
have seen waged the quadrennial battles
for the highest political preiernent in the
gift of the alton.