The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-15
FOR PRESIDENT IN 1860,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
OF ILLINOIS.
OF ILLINOIS.

'''''''''''...'' -.......--.......-....
man by the name Of Ridgely, who was
standing on the platform with the .ev.ew-
ing party. saw the inscription just before
the Gardiner township delegation arrived
even with the reviewing stand.
We'll. for the Lords sake. Abe. lock- al
that exclaimed Ridgely in astonis 1men:
and mirth, tapping Lincoln on the sh ouI-
der.
Lincoln had turned around and was en-
gagged in an earnest cenver saIioa n the
time He did not seem to hear Ridgeiy
Mccoy heard him. and, glancing in me
direction indicated, saw the inscription
The transparency was being revolved slow
~ Mccoy said he watched with great in
terest to see how Lincoln would act when
ne ala see the inscription. When it came
around in sight again Ridgely shook Lin
coin violently by the shoulder
Look, Abe, looki'' he exclaimed. Lin
coin turned and read the inscription inst
as the wagon passed the reviewing stan1
Inc attention Of the entire party was at
tracted TO 1t by Ridgely's loud excIama-
tlon. Lincoln read the inscription and
looked into the faces of the men standing
near him. The idea suggested by the in
scrlpuon was so ridiculous that Lincoln
and the entire party burst out in uncon-
trollable laughter. 1t was the richest Joke
OF the campaign. Munson Beach was COM
p'etely abashed and chagrined at the re-
ceptlon OF his suggestion, nominating Lin
coin for the presidency.
The story of Lncoln's growth and nomi-
nation for president Is an old one. The
Worlds article continues:
Lincoln did not go to Chicago 70 at
tend the convention, but remained in
Springfield. He was in constant cam
munication with the convention hall. how
ever and knew in general way every
thins that was going on a few minutes
aIter II mad happened. The result of the
third ballot had hardly been declared in
Chicago until this telegram came over
the wire to Lincoln:
You are nominated Third ballot
ORANGE JUDD"
Mccoy was one of the first 10 congrat-
ulate Lincoln. He was coming down the
street when Lincoln came out of the teIe-
graph office with the telegram in his
hands.
well, Abe what's the news?" Mccoy
asked
Lincoln handed him the telegram. The
news spread quickly over Springfield. As
Lincoln was standing there on the side
walk in front of the telegraph office. one
of the Springfield lawyers came up the
sidewalk on the other side of the street.
When he got opposite the little coterie
which surrounded Lincoln. he called out:
"Abe, when are you going over to the
ball ground?" Ut appears that there was
a ball ground back Of the court house.
where the lawyers and others would re-
pair nearly every nice afternoon and
amuse themselves ar town ball.
I'll be out shortly after dinner, joe
Lincoln shouted across the street. 1t is
an interesting fact that Lincoln, just nom
mated for president of the United States.
did that afternoon go out on the ball field
and participate in the game. as usual
Just as though nothing unusual had oc-
CURED.
After Lincoln had stood there near the
telegraph office few minutes. receiving
the congratulations of his friends, he
looked at his watch and then said:
well, boys, I guess you all know how
feel There's little woman up on the
hill who wants to see me about this time
or day. I'll see you all after dinner"
Speaking Of Lincoln's character, Mccoy
said that Lincoln owed his greatness
largely to the fact that he was unhappily
married 'Lincoln's wife" Mccoy says.
was common scold. a regular Xantippe.
She was socially ambitious and extremely
selfish. She made life unbearable for hus-
IA
OF spending his time in saloons. as many
would have done, he went into the library.
For nearly twenty years he spent his !
evenings in the state library rooms in the !
basement Of the capitol building in Spring /
field. He drank deep at the fountain Of
knowledge and when the time came for
him 10 use his knowledge and training /
ne was prepared for the emergency
Abe lincoln was the most approach /
Die man I ever knew" continued Mccoy. /
Every man. be he ever 60 humble could 4
get his ear. His political success did not /
turn his head. He listened 20 and coun- /.
seled the advice OF mis- friends Il was
only after h had thoroughly made up his I
mind that he was right on given propo- I
;ition and had mapped out his course. that .
he became firm and immovable All the 4
powers on earth could not have swerved f!
him in his course then. remember at 4
Instance OF this during the war. Al his f,
friends were advising him to Immediately T.
amancipate the slaves. Lincoln insisted /
hat time was not yet ripe. John G Ere
mont, who was in command OF the depart
nent OF the Missouri. stationed at s..
louis, issued his famous order. freeing the
slaves embraced within that department
lincoln promptly anuulled the order. Gov
,rnor Yates sent Lincoln kilograms urging
lin 70 issue the emancipation prociama-
ion. In reply Lincoln wired hack:
g Hold down. Dick Walt and see the I
a walton cf The Lord"