The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14

,settled as easily by the nomination of
William T.. Dayton, of New Jersey. On
ceived 253 votes TO the Ito cast for
Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was Il dark
horse OF the deepest hue in that con-
Ivention. The delegates knew OF him
az great speaker. but even Illinois
did not consider him big enough for
national party honors a few en-
| thuslasts worked for bin at Philadel-
Iphia, and there sowed the seeds for
his great triumph four years later.
When Lincoln's name was being
placed before the convention by a
|Pennsylvanian who was praising the
rail-splitter's oratory, an Ohio man
| called out: Can he fight" The re-
ply was: Yes. Have not told you he
was from Kentucky? He's strong mem
e ass s Msg PayssSiy pam nss
l9f Illinois, forty years later the can.
ldldate of the Gold Democrats for
PRESIDENT, arose and made a plea for
Lincoln. saying: We can Hex Buch-
II a little easier if we have Llncoln
ION the ticket with John C.. Fremont
whether Lincoln would have given
/ tlle ticket enough additional strength
lto nave carried Illinois ana PennsyI-
vania Is a question for fruitless specu-
tiiation. but In the light OF past events
az ~ doubtful II the elevation OF Free
mont TO the office of President at that
lime Tine would have helped the country
THE people were not vet rtpc FOR. tho
great revolution of the election of 1850.
~ The Republican party in it's first
national cUnvoution WAS making n
mistake by defeating Abraham Lincoln
Tor The nomination for Vice. President.
INC one man In the country al that
tiine who was farthe8t from so think
ling was a. Lincoln. The story of Lin
coins hearing the news that he had
ireceiyed the 10 votes Is related by the
iate Henry G. Whitney. Lincoln was
riding the circuit with the other law
tNers In tho wake or fudge Davis they
We're quartered at the leading hotel
in urbana, III. The hotel possessed mn
extremely irritating bit OF sounding
brass in the form OF gong Tia
tpreakfast gong disturbed the oarIy
morning slimbers of the gentlemen OF
the bar. and they decided to abate fhn
nuisance. Lincoln was selected by 4
majority vote 10 silence that gong for
ever. There was but ono way 10 do
tthat Therefore. MIR. Lincoln left the
lcoufl-room a little earlier than usual
Ihefore the noon Adjournment. He went
10 the hotel slipped into the dining
room, found the gong, hid it under his
lcoat and was making away with 81
He was confronted by AIR Whitney and
Judge Davis. who ttrus, into his hands
copy OF the Chicago Tribune. which
contained the news that Lincoln had
received 10 votes for Vice President
n.
Great business. for q misrepresentation
tai aspirant." said Davis. indicating
the stolen gong under Lincoln's coat.
Lincoln only smiled and "reckoned" it
must be the Massachusetts Lincoln who
had been highly honored But lie
greatness of Lincoln was not 10 be
measured by the mud on his brogaps
Tor the quality of his modesty. From
mat day when he received those ITO
votes until the day he died he Was To
be commanding figure in the life OF
the nation, he was TO stand higher than
the leaders whom he followed he was
TO save the country lie Ioved so well
The great majority OF the men who
took part In the formation of the Re-
publican party at Philadelphia In 1856
lare dead. Most of the leaders of prom
inence III that convention left the Re-
publican party before their death
Greeley, Trumbnll Julian and Palmer
were leaders in organizing the party
against which they We're TO battle In
later years. A. Taft. Of Ohio. father OF
the man who probably will be noini-
mated for President at Chicago this
week, was delegate to that conven-
who attended IT, but the leaders have
Ipasscd away.
The great and vital issue which
brought the Republican party into en-
Iistence has been settled and settled
right. The compelling force of senti-
,ment. the fire OF holy war, the stake OF
life or death-these things united to
give the Republican party power at
its birth. Their effect is still Ia he
seen, although the causes have ceased
ito exist these many years. The Re.
publican party at the first was made
up OF men who believed the defeat
of the opposition was absolutely neces-
sary to a continuance OF national life.
therefore, as patriots, they We're con-
tent 10 accept fractional defeats, bury
personal grievances and present
solldly united front to the enemy
day the. disciplinary power OF the
Republican organization is the most
remarkable feature of the political life
Iof the American people. Fight and
wransle as they will before election,
the Republicans line IN at the polls.
IT is the heritage of the party handed
down from the convention of 1856, in
which Democrats, Wings Know Moth
lngs Hards, Softs Barnburners. Anti
Nebraskans, Abolitionists, Free Sellers
and all sorts and conditions of politi-
clans met together. buried their GUAR
rels and built the Republican party on
top OF the grave.
tCo,pyright, 1908, by Frederic j.
Hasllin)
-morrow--The First Lincoln Con-
vention. its