The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-15
HOW LINCOLN
WAS ELECTED
Hithertoo Unpublished In
cidents Of Politics Which
Gave Him Nomination
TOLD BY ADDISON PROCTOR
Sole Survivor Of Famous
"Split- Rail" Convention
Gives Credit to Cassius
M. Clay.

Chicago, Feb. Knew, and what
are believed to be hirtherto unpublish-
ed incidents concerning the politics
which gave Abraham Lincoln the Re
publican nomination for Pres dent
the first time, were told here in an
address before the Hamilton club by
Addison G. Proctor Of st. Joseph,
Mich, who believes himself the only
surviving member of the famous 'split
rail" convention.
Mr. Proctor gives one man, Cassius
M. Clay of Kentucky, the credit for
forcing the nomination of Lincoln
from a chaotic disorganfzed opposition
to the regular candidate for the NOM
nation. William H. Seward Of New
York. This is how Clay's influence
was exerted, as related by Mr.. Proc
tor.
when the convention opened, Mr..
Stewards interests were in the hands
Of Thurlow Weed, and were we'll or
ganized. The opposition. of which
figure. was absolutely without organ
ization or community OF desire. To
show how much without aim we were
working, recall that Mr.. Greeley
said to us within thirty hours of the
time for balloting. answering ques-
ton as to whom we should unite upon
to oppose Seward:
/" I think well of Edward Bates of
Missouri: he is a strong man and
believe one of the best we could NOM
mate
/" How about Lincoln?' we asked,
and Greeley replied:
{" While Mr.. Lincoln Is an adroit
politician, he lacks experience in pub
lie affairs. and while we are drifting
toward a crisis. do not believe the
country will trust man SO lacking
in experience In national affairs
1--WE were discussing matters in the
old Briggs house in Chicago, when
Mr.. Clay and his mounta n men from
western Virginia. Tennessee and Ken
lucky arrived Clay was a man Of
most interesting personality and he
headed an interesting group.
I'VE are on the eve Of great civil
war;" began Mr.. Clay. but we Of Kan
sas were used to strong words and
smiled. The mountaineer looked at
us sternly and continued:
We know what your platform
plans are. and I am here to say that
If candidate is nom mated on that
platform the south will make an at
tempt to dissolve the Union. Your
southern border extends from Mary
land to Missouri and on this side
stands determined body of men.
resolute that the Union shall not be
destroyed except after most desper-
ate struggle
" 1T makes a great difference to
you whom you. nominate Numbered
on the tall Kentuckian. and 1T makes
a much more vta1 difference to us.
Our homes and all we possess are in
peril. We demand of you a candidate
whoswill inspire our courage and con-
fidence.
I" We call upon you to nominate
Abraham Lincoln, who knows Us and
understands our aspirations. Give US
Lincoln and we will push back your
battle line from the Ohio river to the
Tennessee where it belongs. Give us
Lincoln and we will unite the strength
Of our union sentiment with the union
army and bring success to your le-
gions. DO this for u.s., pleaded the
speaker, and We will go home and
prepare for the conflict
I'VE saw things from a new angle.
1t was no longer question Of fight
ing slavery, but of saving the union.
Lincoln was nominated"