The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-15
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The most momentous political gather
Ing in American history was the Re-
publican convention which met In
Chicago on May Ii, 1860, and which
nominated Abraham Lincoln for Presi-
dent OF the United States. AS long as
this republic endures, It's citizens VIII
praise that convention for its wisdom
lin selecting Lincoln as its standard
bearer. Yet the convention which nom
Iinated Lincoln did SO against It's Will
rreferrlng another man, but bowling
Ito a consideration OF expedicICy. MANY
iof the leaders OF the then ronng party
We're not only opposed to Lincoln. but
iabso lutely disgusted when he was NOM
MATED. Moreover. the convention prob
ably could not have been induced to
for the packing OF the galleries with
Lincoln claqueurs, who made so much
noise that 1t seemed that the very
heavens were crying out for Lincoln.
The discipline of the Republican par
| ty was thus early brought into play.
The disguised partisans OF Seward, the
langry partisans OF Bates, the aristo-
Gratis to whom Lincoln was a most
bitter pill--all these left the Chicago
,wiswam IN anger 20 meet ogtin IN
| will be at Chicago this week. There
Twill be wrangling and fighting, there
VIII be hate and disgust. But the
chances are that the wounds VIII be
healed and the scars ioblitcrated before
1.-THE calends OF November. OF course,
there have been bolts from Republican
conventions. and OBJECTIONS of great
Headers from Republican ranks These
things have happened. viii happen
lagain. may happen this year But
Republican body has been always amen
liable to the reason of party expe-
idiency That is the source of its
great power, the reason for its con-
Itinued ascendancy--and II knows It,
lLet other parties cling to the dead
wood of water-logged issues. The Re-
Ipublicans will keep up with the pro-
5Icession, even IL the procession counters
marches.
/ The majority. perhaps two-thirds, OF
the delegates to the Chicago conyen-
ton of 1850 favored the nomination
OF William Fl. Seward, OF New York,
flor President This preference was
shared by two-thirds OF the Reppbi-
leans of the country. Seward was their
leader in the Senate he was their
champion and their pride. But. Sc
ward had been long in politics. he had
declared that there was "higher law"
than the Constitutions; he had spoken
Iof the "irrepressible conflict" Worse
,of political eHpediency. he had been
lailied with Roman Catholic influences
lin politics
In the convention were Andrew G..
Curtin, of Pennsylvania. and Henry ).
LANE, of Indiana. They were politi-
lplished Stewards defeat and Lincoln's
nomination. Ar that time the Ameri-
lean party. the know-NothinGs, still had
,lsreat strength in parts of the East
land in Indiana. Without their votes
!. the Republicans could not hope to win.
In Pennsylvania the Republicans were
$50 timd, aud SO sagaclous. that they
had dropped the name Republican
land Curtin was running for Governor
las the nominee of the Peoples Party"
Away back in 1885 Seward had been
detected Governor OF New York. 1t was
Icharged that Archbishop Hughes. an
liable Roman Catholic prelate. had ma-
Iterially. assisted in Stewards election
: 1t was known that Seward had sent
! la message to the legislature APPROX
ling the plan for division of the pub
lie school funds between Catholics and
j, Professionals. In the eyes of a Know
Nothing, this attitude on the school
Question was the one scarlet. unpar-
donablc sim The State elections in
! Indiana and Pennsylvania in 1850 were
held in October. Curtin and Lane want
led to be elected. and they wanted tc
elect a Republican President. They
knew that If they were beaten in Oc-
tober all hope of Republican success ir
8 November would be gone. They hat
to have that Know Nothing vote, ano
T, lthey knew the nomination OF Sewart
: would ALLEVIATE 1t.
al Stewards political manager was Thur.
low Weed, the Albany editor, one O.
the ablest political manipulators thi:
country has known. He fought fol-
Seward to the last ditch. lie wen
so far as to take drive with Ian,
and offer to send enough money intt
Indiana to insure Lanes election il
October II the Hoosier would deser
Curtin and support Seward. 1t Is t.
be doubted ii Curtin and Lane coult
have succeeded In nominating Lincoll
against Weeds management and Sc
Wards great popularity, If it had no
been for Horace Greeley. Greeley hat
paved the way for the anti-Sewar'
ward in the Tribune. Greeley said Sc
), ward was unavailable, but OF course
the real reason was not revealed II
that time. The Tribune supported Ed
ward Bates, OF Missouri. It could no
Twin for Bates. but 1t had the effec
of helping to destroy Seward.
When the convention was assemble
I Everybody saw there was great flgh
= on. The Seward managers made
tactical error ! u having a great Sewar
4 tstreet parade. While the Seward PEG
,lple were marching on the streets, til
+ Illinois Lincoln managers-Ludd, Sweet
: and others-pa elk ed the wigwam 10th
le limit with men whose only instruction
We're to "whOop 1t up for Abe The
did. Seward, the darling of the par
ty, had no friends in the galleries
His name was greeted with silence
but for the few feeble cheers comm
'r ton. In 1892 Mr.. Harrison was nom