The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-12

delivered at Cooper institute. and 1t is
generally credited with being the peecn
that made NJ Lincoln president. Now it
+ is not thought that Mr.. Yates believed
Mr. Lincoln stood any considerable
/ chance Of being nominate for president.
/ but he originated his plan TO forward
/ his own political ambitions-to make
I Yates governor.
The Illinois state Republican conven-
ton was held in Decatur three days prior
to the convening CT the national conven-
/ ton at Chicago, and Mr. Yates was nom
mated for governor. and Mr.. Llncoln's
selections were chosen delegates TO Chi
cage, and a vigorous resolution present
! ing the name Of Abraham Lincoln TO
the national convention as a candidate
for president, was adopted. Prior to the
event Mr.. Lincoln had not allowed him
self to be announced as a candidate 10
the presidency. holding that he would not
be a candidate before the national con-
vention. unless he had solid delegation
from mis- own state in his favor; but
when this was secured he at once wired
Judge David Davis, who was at that
time holding court at Danvilie, Illinois,
saying that he had secured a solid dele
CATION in his favor, and TIT he believed
ne stood some show Of being nominated,
and asked Judge Davis if he would go
to Chicago and take charge Of his cam
paign before the convention, to which he
received an affirmative reply.
THE story as told at that time as to
how Judge Davis managed Mr.. LincOln's
campaign before the convention is one Ct
abiding interest. though it may have been
often told on arriving at Chicago he
found all the most desirable rooms 1t the
hotels suitable for headquarters. already
taken by other aspirants for the presiden-
tial nomination, 50 that he was Obliged to
take rooms on the third floor of the Sher-
man house, where he called first the Iii
nois delegation and agreed upon the man
ner of their campaign, then sending Tor
the delegates Of other northwestern
states, he pointed out that none Of the
prominent candidates before the conven-
ton had the solid support Of their own
state delegation. and that that situation
afforded a splendid opportunity to secure
the nomination of western man for
president. and TO each delegation he pro-
posed the name OF Abraham Lincoln as
suitable man for western delegates to
unite upon. When the convention had ef-
fected an organization, and the first bal
lot for candidate for president was taken.
Mr. Lincoln received 102 votes, almost
one-fOurth Of the whole number Of ballots
cast, and thereafter the convention ad-
journed for the day The votes Mr.. Lin
coin received on the first ballot was very
gratifying TO his manager and friends,
and equally as great a surprise to his OPP
ponents, and caucusing was the order at
their respective delegations until a late
hour into the night. During the night
Judge Davis sent kilograms to party
friends at every town within 200 miles of
Chicago in Illinois, urging them to come
to Chicago with every available man on
the morning trains. and to charter extra
trains wherever necessary to cheer for
Arabian Lincoln for president. This piece
of strategy was unknown to the other
candidates, and had never before beer
used at a national convention. Soon after
sunrise long trains began to arrive, load
ed to their utmost capacity with enthu-
siastic shouters who were quickly mar
shaled in marching order by waiting lieu
tenants and conducted into the main
streets, there to meet other like masses
fro mother deDots, and TO join the loud
cheers for Honest old Abe Lincoln Of
Illinois for president Soon after the
streets were one mass of marching, shout
ing humanity. The din and noise of Lin
coins cohorts awoke the drowsy mana
gers of other candidates, who rushing to
their chamber windows, there TO behold
such an upheaval of the people unheard
of before. Among the politicians Of the
eastern states CONSERVATION reigDed. for
they believed the people were for Lincoln
before all others. Hurried conferences
were held at each of the candidates
headquarters, and it was quickly decided
TO organize counter street demonstrations
in behalf Of the other aspirants, but the
time was so short that only meager col
umns could be rallied in behalf OF their
banners. While this was being done,
Judge Davis Instructed Lfncoln's friends
to go and occupy the wigwam-an I'M
mense temporary structure provided for
convention and campaign purposes-and
hold their seats until the convention was
over for the day. 81 when the marching
shouters of other candidates got through
their demonstration and repaired 20 the
wigwam they found it packed 10 the door
with enthusiastic Ilhnoisans. When the
prellminaries were through with, and the
moment was near TO order second bal
lot a tall countryman from Mt PulasEie,
H., who was near seven feet Of stature.
possessing a voice ike a steam calliope.
occupyiugsa front seat in the gallery mid
way and in front of the chairman Of the
convention, arose at the very opportune
moment. as If BY Encouragement and IN
a voice that rang out. filing the wigwam
10 its utmost recesses, proposed three
cheers for honest Abe Lincoln u Tli-
nois.' Neither magic nor electricity could
have more quickly moved the crowded
galleries. In an instant every saouter
was on his feet hat in hard and Tor ten
minutes the cheering was Ike the ming
ling Of many winds, the roar II an isre-
pressible tornado. The chair raped vain
" for order. It was useless no.bing
could be done save to await the subsf-
dence Of the outburst- In the meantime
CONSERVATION was depicted upon the
blanched faces Of eastern delegates and
the managers OF other candidates. The
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