The Washington herald., 1908-06-14
The First Republican
National Convention

coin. The story OF Lincoln's hearing the
news that he had received the 110 votes is
related by the late Henry c. Whitney.
Lincoln was riding the circuit with the
other lawyers in the wake OF Judge
Davis. They were quartered az the lead
ing hotel In Urbana, III. The hotel pos
sessed an extremely irritating bit OF
sounding brass In the form Of a gong.
The breakfast gong disturbed the early
morning slumbers Of the gentlemen OF
the bar and they decided 20 abate the
nuisance. Lincoln was selected by a ma
jarity vote 10 silence that gong forever.
There was but one way 10 do that.
Therefore. Mr. Lincoln left the court
room a little earlier than usual before
the noon adjournment. He went 70 the
hotel slipped into the dining-rOom. found
the gong, hid II under his coat and was
making away with Il. He was confront
ed by Mr.. Whitney and Judge Davis, who
thrust into his hands a copy Of the Chi
cago Tribune which contained the news
that Lincoln had received 10 votes for
Vice President at the Philadelphia con-
ventiOn.
Great business for n Vice Presidential
aspirant." said Davis indicating the
stolen gong under Lincoln's coat. Lin
coin only smiled and "reckoned" II must
be the Massachusetts LIncon who had
been highly honored But the greatness
Of Lincoln was not to be measured by
the mud on his brogans or the quality
Of his modesty. From that day when he
received those 10 votes until the day h6
died he was 20 be a commanding figure
I'm the life Of the nation, he was 10 stand
higher than the leaders whom he fol-
lowed. he was to save the country he
loved so well.
The great majority Of the men who
took part in the formation Of the Repub-
lican party at Philadelphia in 1886 are
dead Most Of the leaders OF prominence
in that convention left the Republican
party before their death. Greeley Trum-
bull Julian. and Palmer were leaders IN
organizing the party against which they
were to battle in later years. A. Taft,
OF Ohio, father of the man who probably
will be nominated for President at Chi
cago this week. was a delegate 10 that
convention. There are q few men stu
living who attended q, but the leaders
have passed away.
The great and vital issue which brought
the Republican party into existence has
been settled and settled right. The COM
pelling force OF sentiment. the fire Of
molly war, the stake or lIe OF QeaLh-
these things united 70 give the Republic
can party power at its birth. Their ef-
feet IS still 70 be seen, although the
causes have ceased 20 exist these many
years The Republican party AT the
first was made UP Of men who believed
the defeat OF the opposition was absolute
" necessary TO continuance OF national
life Therefore. as patriots, they were
content 10 accept factiOnal defeats. bury
personal grievances, and present soldly
united front 70 the enemy.
To-day the disciplinary power OF the
Republican organization Is the most re-
markable feature Of the political life Of
the American people. Fight and wrangle
as they viii before election-the Repub-
icans line up at the polls. II is the heri-
tage Of the party handed down from the
convention OF 1S55 In which Democrats,
Wings. KnOw-NOthings, Hards. Softs,
Barnburners. -Nebraskans. AbOli-
tionists. Free Sellers. and all sorts and
conditions Of politicians met together,
buried their quarrels. and built the Re
publican party on top Of the grave.
lCopyright. 1905. by Frederic J. Hnskin.)
Tomorrow The First Lincoln
Convention.