The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1919-02-13
LINCOLN'S NOMI-
NATION RECALLED
HAND OF DESTINY IN CONVENTION
{. L. Smith Recalls Memorable Chicago
Gathering Which Placed Great Eman-
eipatOr at the Party'S Helm

shapes events of mOmentOus conse
quence through an incident of seeming
insignificance.
E. J.. Smith, a personal acquaintance
of the Great Emaneipator. who from
young manhood until today, the late
eveningtime of his life for Mr.. Smith
celebrated his 8lst birthday September
II. l9ls-has ever loved the great char
acter as a living ideal, recalls that an
act of an OregOnian was largely re-
sponsible for the first nomination of
Abraham Lincoln to Republican candi-
dacy for the presidency.
The name of Lincoln will be handed
down, to be revered by coming genera.
tions of loyal Americans. The calm
wisdom of his deliberations and deci-
sions of half century ago, when he
preserved the Union, have remained a
potent strength to statesman and sol
dier in the world crisis so recently
averted by civilization. The voice
from the heart of justice loving man.
kind was speaking through the lips of
Lincoln when he uttered his memorable
Gettysburg address. The spirit of Lin
coin must live today at the peace con-.
ference. And in contemplation of his
development, his self-education and
preparation for the stewardship that
the people of whom he was ever one of
the most plain were to tender him, of
his rugged honesty, characteristic hu-
manness and of the tragedy that mar.
| tyred him, it is interesting to talk with
one of the last surviving men of the
Pacific coast who personally knew Lin
coin and the last living man west of
| the Rockies who was present at the
great Chicago convention in May,
1860. when the Sangamon county rail
splitter became the standard bearer of
his party. When Mr.. Smith talks one
can almost feel the presence of that
great man, and the benefcence and
human kindness of Lincoln are brought
the closer for the inspiration of those
so fortunate as to hear him speak.
| perhaps it was through a whim of
fate" says Mr.. Smith, "thatsL sLeander
Holmes, named at the Oregon State
Republican convention at Oregon City,
as one of the states three delegates
to the national convention, sent his
proxy to Horace Greeley. whose news
paper, the New York Tribune, was at
that time the political Bible of middle
western Republicans. Holmes was
| unable to attend the convention him
self, because of the long journey by
way of Panama and the lack of funds
required.
Some years prior to the Chicago
convention, Horace Greeley and VIM.
| H. Seward became estranged. Their
difference grew to bitter enmity, and
when it seemed that Seward would be
sure to win the nomination in Chicago
| Greeley hastened there determined to
defeat him whatever the cost. The
proxy of the Oregon delegate stood him
in good stead, for with it he was ena.
bled to 90 into the very ranks of dele.
gates and push his cause with the keen
argument for which he was noted.
heard him as he marched up and down
among them. In front of one dslega-
tion he stopped and heard him cry in
impassioned voice: If you nominate
William II. Sewerd he cannot carry the
state of New York without New York
your cause is lost.
Mr.. Smith firmly believes that des-
tiny guides men in their careers and
shapes the trend of nations. At the
psychological time the popularity of
Abraham Lincoln swept over the Wig
wan, as the big auditorium was called,
and votes were shifted for him.
Thus" says Mr.. Smith, through
Horace GreeIey's dislike for William
H. Seward, America was given the no.
blest man the nation has ever had for
president.
Mr.. Smith was student at Lombard
University in Gaesburg, H., at the
time of the Republican convention.
With four or five other students, all ad-
mirers of Lincoln, he secured leave OF
absence to attend the convention.
Although the city was overcr0wed
we were fortunate in getting accom-
modations at the Randolph hotel but d
short distance away from the auditor.
ium. On the day of our arrival we
hurried to the doors of the building
long before the hour for the conven
ton to open, in order that we might
was already there waiting. Promptly
at the proper hour the doors were
thrown open. Never in my life have
so nearly had the life crushed out Of
M as in that jam at the building s
entrance. Being among those nearest
the door, when they were opened,
was fortunate in getting seat neal
the front of the great hall, where
could hear and see everything that was
taking place. In very few moments
except for wide aisle left down the
| center of the auditorium for the pass
| age of the delegations, every seat haC
been taken. In the rear of the build
| ing huge stage, for the accommda
tion of all the delegates and secretar
| les, bad been erected.
"On the third and last day, tn,
/ question of the nomination arose. The
| first ballot showed scattering votes
| different delegations expressing theil
support of favorite sons. On the sec
i ond ballot, the vote drew closer, anC
it was apparent that Seward and Lin
i coin were leading After the secre
/ taries had canvassed the ballot it wa!
announced that it would be legal fol
any delegation to transfer their votes
Il if they so desired, before the fina
result was proclaimed. You can imag
inc my pleasure when my native stat'
II of Vermont switched its entire 10 vote
Il from the Seward to the Lincoln col
H umn. Delegations from other state
H followed. Hundreds of men wer,
keeping tally, and the entire concours,
| knew almost as well as the secretaries
Il lust how matters stood. 1t was sool
apparent that the contest between Lin
| coin and Seward wassgoing to be YER
|! close. AS remember, Lincoln needed
4 three and half votes to be assured o