New-York tribune., 1911-02-14
NEW LIGHT ON LINCOLN
Recalled by Delegate to Famous
"SpIit Rail" Convention.
GREELEY WAS AGAINST HIM
But Cassius M. Clay Made Fer
vent Appeal and Nomination
Went Through.

Chicago. Feb. ~ New and what are be-
lieved 10 be hitherto unpublished incidents
concerning the politics which gave Ahra-
ham Lincoln the Republican nomination
for President the first time were told here
to-day in an address before the Hamilton
Club by Addison G. Proctor. Of 81. Joseph.
Mich. Mr. Proctor believes himself the
only surviving member OF the famous
Split rail- convention.
Mr.. Proctor gave 10 one man-Cassius VI.
CLAY. Of Kentucky-the credit for forcing
the nomination Of Lincoln out OF chaotic,
6lsorganized opposition 10 the regular cam
didste for the nomination. William Fl.
Seward. OF New York This is how Clay =
influence was exerted. as related by Mr..
Proctor
When the convention opened Mr.. Sew
ards interests were in the hands Of Thur
low Weed, and were we'll organized. The
opposition. OF which Horace Greeley was
the dominant figure. was absolutely with
out organization or community Of desire.
To show how much without aim we were
working recall that Mr. Greeley said 70
us within thirty hours Of the time for bal
loting. answering question as 20 whom
We should unite upon TO oppose Seward:
II think well Of Edward Bates. Of Mis-
souri, he is a strong man. and I believe one
OF the best we could nominate.
How about Lincoln We asked and
Greeley replied:
While Mr. Lincoln Is an sdroit poll
tician. he lacks experience IN public affairs,
and while we are drifting toward a crisis
d not believe the country will trust man
so lacking in experience in national affairs
We were discussing matters in the old
Briggs Houe. in Chicago. when Mr. Clay
and his mountain men from Western Vir-
rinia, Tennessee and Kentucky arrived.
Clay was man Of most interesting person
atty and he headed an interesting group.
I'VE ar. On the eve Of great civil
war began Mr.. Clay, but We Of Kansas
we're used 10 strong words and smiled.
The mountaineer looked az us sternly and
continued:
We know what your platform plans
are and am here 70 say hat II a candi-
date is nominated on that platform the
. South will make an attempt 20 dissolve the
Union. Your Southern border extends from
Maryland 10 Missouri and on this side
stands determined body Of men. resolute
that the Union shall not he destroyed ex-
cept after a most desperate struggle
1T makes a great difference 10 you wnom
YOU nominate Numbered the tall Ken
tuckian. and II makes much more VITA
difference TO us. Our homes and all We
possess are in peril We demand OF you q
candidate who will inspire our courage and
confidence
"'W We call upon you TO nominate Abraham
| Lincoln. who knows US and understands our
aspirations. Give us Lincoln and We viii
push back your battle line from the Ohio
River 10 the Tennessee. where it belongs
Give us Lincoln and Te will unite the
strength Of our Union sentiment with the
Union army and bring success to youl
/ legons Do this for us. pleaded the
/ speaker. and We will go home and prepare
| for the conflict
We saw things from new angle. II
vas no longer A question OF hghting slaV
cry. but OF saving the Union. Lincoln was
nominated"