The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-05-24

day-the twenty-sixth Of Nav. The
convention thrilled me-the flags. the
great crowd. the bands. the songs. the
| speeches, the cheering-I seq and hear
IL all In my talk. The uproar lasted
Tor twenty minutes when Van Ruren,s
uaLne was put in nomination.
linen the undercurrent. The South
WAS against him as Wright had fore
seen. The deep current of its power
had undermined certain of the north
erh ana western delegations Osten-
Sioiy for Van Buren, and stubbOrnly
CdStihS their ballots for him. they had
S"ted FOR the two-thir,ls rule. which
had accomplished his defeat before the
paiioting began. IT continued for two
DAYS without Il choice. The enemy
STOOD firm. After adjournment that
evening many of the Van Buren, dele
Ee'es were summoned 10 4 conference.
attended it with Judge Fine.
HE eX-president had withdrawn and
requested his friends in the conven-
ton 10 vote for Silas Wright Nv emo-
IONS can be more readily imagined
IMAM described when | heard the
shouts of enthusiasm which greeted
my friends name. Tears began 10 roll
Gown my cheeks. Judge Fine lifted
his hand. When order was at last re-
stored he began:
NehtIemen, as a friend Of the
learned senator and as a resident of
the county which is the proud DOS
SCISSOR of his home. your enthusiasm
mas welcome sound To me: bur | ham
pen 10 Know that Senator Wright will
NOT allow his name to 90 before the
convention"
lie read the letter of which | knew.
Mr.. .enjamin F. Butler then said:
when that letter was written Sena-
tor Wright was not aware thar Mr.
van Buren's nomination could not be
accomplished, nor was he aware that
Dls own nomination would he the al
most unanimous wish of this conyen-
uon. | have talked with the lending
delegates from Missouri and Virginia
today. They say thar he can be nomi-
mated by reclamation. Is il possible
that he-a strong party man-can re-
slst this unanimous call of the party
with whose help he has won immortal
fame? No, ii is not so. Ii cannot be
so. We must dispatch a messenger TO
nm by horse at once who shall take
to him from his friend Judge Fine a
frank statement of the imperious de-
mand of this convention and a request
that he telegraph a withdrawal of his
letter in the morning.
The suggestion was unanimously ap-
proved and within an hour mounted
or one of the best horses in MARYLAND
so his groom Informed mel was on
my way To Washington with the mes
sage of Judge Fine in my pocket. Yes,
l had two days TO spare on my sched-
ule of travel and reckOned that. by re-
turning to Baltimore next day | should
reach Canton in good time.
1t was the kind of thing that only a
1.-THE. supple, strong-hearted lad such /
AS | was in the days of my youth, |
could relish-speeding over dark /
road by the light of the stars and a
with horse that loved to |
Kick up wind. My brain was in a
fever, for the notion had come to me |
that | was making history.
The lure of fame and high place hur- |
ried me on. With the senator in the I
presidential chair | should be well .
started in the highway of great sue 1
cess. Then Mr.. Ii. Dunkelberg might
think me better than the legacy of /
Benjamin Grimshaw. a relay awaited /
me twenty-three miles down the road. /
Well, l reached Washington very
sore. but otherwise in good form. soon
after daybreak. was trembling with b
when put my horse in the
stable and rang the bell ut our door. 1t
seemed to me that l was crossing the
divide between big and little things. A
few steps more and | should be look
ing down into the great valley of the
future. Yet, now that | was there, |
began TO lose confidence.
The butler opened the door.
Yes, the senator was up and had
Just returned from walk ard was in
MS study. found him there.
well. Bart, how does this happenT'
ne asked.
IT'S important business" | said. as
presented the letter. n
Something in his look and manner
Is he calmly adjusted his glasses and
cad the letter Of Judge Fine brought
he blood TO my face. 1t seemed To
my balloon, so to speak. and