The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-07

simply a mass-meeting with representa-
tives from the States. There were Horace
Greeley, Joshua Giddings, Blair of Wash
ington, King of New York and Lovejoy OF
Illinois, whose brother was murdered over
the slavery question. They delivered
speeches that had remarkable effect, and
the result of it all was the issuance of a
call for a delegate convention, which was
held shortly afterward in Philadelphia,
and through whibh we nominated FIRE.
mont and Dayton. The American party
put up Fremont and Johnson, but we APP
pointed a committee to confer with their
committee and that resulted in a union of
the parties, which gave the Republican
side great strength.
"Shortly afterward our party in the
State of Pennsylvania nominated Pasmore
Williamson for Canal Commissioner as he
had come before the people very promin-
emily at that time. He was respectable
Quaker gentleman, who was arrested for
assisting fugitive slave to escape, and for
that reason the Repu plican party took him
up. | remember we'll the election day.
was going to the polls, when a Wing met
me.
How many votes do you think your
man will get-sixY he asked me.
"He appeared to be in quizzing humor.
'Yes-forty, l said.
"And he laughed at me, for nobody ever
thought that Republican nominee could
possibly get forty votes.
Williamson was not elected. But the
Republican sentiment was very strong and
growing very fast. The slavery question
was there, and soon even the Wings came
round to us.
"And what is regarded as the most ex-
traordinary event in the history of parties,
four years after the Republican party was
organized, it elected its first President
Lincoln. | met him in Pittsburg after his
election, and when he heard that little
Allegheny County had given him ma
iority of 10000, he remarked:
"'Oh, that is the State of Allegheny
Countv.'
cali the rest is history. Last night I
grew uneasy here in the hotel ana went
ont to look at the bulletins, and stood on
Market street in the crowd until the last
one was shown.
There can be only two parties.
lit is pretty nearly all one now-after
last night"
Mr.. Lewis was asked his opinion on CIV
ing the Republican National Convention
to San Francisco.
Il think your chances are good, was
his reply. But you've hard men to fight,
Tor instance, Quay OF Pennsylvania. He
tavors Plttsburg, of course, and Pittsburg
feels that as it is the birthplace of Repub-
hcanism 1t should have the convention"
But that is honor enough, and the Pa
cific Coast should have something" was
said TO Mr.. Lewis.
That's So" he answered.
''lf holding the convention in San Fran
cisco would strengthen the cords-that is,
strengthen the party in the great West
better have it here. 1t would be great
advantage to this hak of the country and
the delegates could see the Pacific Coast.
II they would enjoy the trip as much as
L have they should only be too eager to
come here. And nobody can have any
idea OF the extent and greatness of our
country without travelling from ocean to
ocean. Pm sure California would be as
hospitable as ever, and therefore the dele
gates would enjoy their visit to your City: "
Mr.. Lewis said that the iron industry in
pennsylvania has greatly improved OF late;
Workmen. Idle men have become fewer
than ever and an air of prosperity was fast
asserting itself in the iron districts.