The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-12
POLITICAL CONVENTIONS.
Mr.. Lincsin's Rrsoiut Ions m Tbek Favor
IN 1Sl3.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN---sir: !
notice In THE SUN a letter signed by
Elmer II. Youngman assuming to Ge--c::-
strate by quotations from the Life OF
Abraham Lincoln" by Ida M. Tarbeil that
Mr. Lincoln was opposed to the institution
Of political conventions and would be at
the present time II alive. The last sem
tence of the letter IL as follows: Have
we any warrant for believing that were
he living now the position he took In
1895 would be alteredr' I answer yes I;
the very best. his own words. Let me re-
fer Mr.. Youngman to Nicolay and Hays
Complete Works Of Abraham Lincein."
Resolutions Of a Wing Meeting at Spring.
field, Illinois. March. ls4S." The object
Of the meeting was stated BY Mr.. Lincoln
Of Springfield. who offered the following
resolutions. which were unanimously
adopted" The first four resolutions are
not material to the subject now consld-
cred. relating to a tariff on Imports, d.
rect taxation. a national bank and the
sale Of public lands /: but note this:
Resolved. That we recommend 10 the
wings Of each Congressional district OF the
state to nominate and support In the ap-
preaching election . candidate OF their own
principles. regardless Of their chances OF
success.
Resolved, That We recommend TO the
wings Of all portions OF the state to adopt
and rigidiy adhere to the convention system
Of nominating candidates
Resolved, That we recommend TO the
wings Of each Congressional district to hold
a district convention on or before the nrsf
Monday OF May next. to be composed OF .
number OF delegates from each county equal
to double the number Of representatives, In
the General Assembly providing each
county shall have at least one delegate. said
delegates to be chosen by primary meetings
Of the wings at such times and places as
they in their respective counties may sec Mt.
Resolved. That A. T. Bledsoe. 8. 7. Logan
and A. Lincoln be appointed a committee
to prepare an address to the people OF the
State.
This address was written by Mr. Lin
coin and signed by the committee. and
the discussion Of the sixth resolution
pages 253. 254 and 255, was as strong an
advocacy OF the convention system as II
would be possible to write.
All the foregoing can also be found In
Volume II. OF the Works OF Abraham
Lincoln" centenary edition.
In the volume first quoted. page ESQ
q found the following letter to John Ben
nett. dated March Z. 1913:
In It you will md a brief argument In
favor OF conventions and although I wrote
II myself will say to you that II 10 con-
elusive upon the point and cannot be rea-
good whig who Is disposed to stick out
against conventions. get him at least TO read
the argument In their favor In the address.
For his attitude In 1895 We have To-
hearsay testimony of Miss Tarbell. cor
roborated by the way by Nicolay and
Hay In another work and In almost iden-
teal language but for his position in
lS43 there is the evidence OF his own writ
inRs. That this was no sudden CONVEX
sion on his part Is shown by the following
quotation from the address:
We do not mention the fact OF many Of
the wings opposing the convention system
ofore for the purpose Of censuring thsm
Far from IT, We expressly protest against
such a conclusion. We know they were gen
orally. perhaps universally, as sood and true
wings as We ourselves claim to be.
Here he distinctly aligns himself with
those who had previously favored the con-
vention system. as against those who op-
posed II.
The question Is answered, Is II not /?
And the following Is a pertinent query ::
Is not THE SUNS position that Abraham
Lincoln is "worshipped for the most par,
ignorantly." well taken
GroRGE w. KERR.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. March IL.