The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-05-25
CONVENTION OF
1860 is RECALLED
.-sc,ON WHICH NOMINATED
LINCOLN WAS THE FIRST
HELD in CHICAGO.

curCAGO.-The converting of the
onnblicans in Chicago June 6 to
aminate a candidate for president
saoIls afresh at this time the repub-
loor convention opening here sixty
Years ago which nominated Abraham
Imcoln, This was the second ma
tional republican convention and the
first of the many which have since
been held in Chicago.
The convention assembled May 16,
,Oe0 and Lincoln was nominated on
IIU a. the third and last day. After
"" Icy election feeling aroused by the
slavery issue ran quickly into civil
Relics of the campaign of 1860,
including the oil painting OF the rail
sniittpr5 are preserved by the Chi
cpgo historical Society. E. E. Wood,
field secretary of the society, has just
nrepared what he regards as the most
COMPLETE account of the events OF
the convention of sixty years ago. In
this he calls attention to Addison u.
Proctor of Ann Harbor, Mich, who,
Mr. Wood believes, is the only sur
viving delegate of the convention.
Chicago in 1860 was promising
citv of 10000, not quite twenty
five wears old. 1t had won the con-
vention by the offer to build the
largest assembly hall in the country
and fiji It at everv session. Accord
ingly the "wigwam" arose at the
southwest corner of Lake and Mar
ket streets, occupying a space 100 by
1870 feet. 1t was a temporary wood
en- structure costing little over the
estimated $4,000. The balance was
made up by charging rs cents ad-
mission on its formal opening on the
Saturday before the convention.
An Exciting Time.
Few republican conventions, if
any, have been so charged with ex-
element or had so spectacular an
ending. Lincoln's prospects appear
ed small enough before the conven-
ton opened. The favorite was Will
liam H. Steward, senator from New
York. He had great asset in the
ability of Thurlow Weed, who prose-
cuted his campaign among the dele
gates.
He suffered handicap in the de-
termined opposition of Horace
Greedy, the famous New York editor,
who had no candidate of his own but
refused to have Seward. Both Greedy
and Weed were early on the ground,
and according to Mr.. Woods review,
the centers of interest. He notes,
however, that other and nonpolitical
attractions were numerous, among
them being Zouaves, circus band,
minstrels, ard such we'll known thea
. trical pieces of the day as "Lucretia
Borgia" ard 1.-THE Hidden Hand"
Slavery an Issue.
The slavery issue came up quickly
on the first day of the convention
When David Wilmot of Pennsylvania,
on taking the chair as temporary
chairman, made a ten-minute anti
slavery speech. mo extension of
slavery" became an essential part of
the platform next day.
In view of the many days now
spent in hearing delegates contests,
this convention of sixty years ago
offered something novel. There were,
however, some "contesting" states.
Whether to admit Maryland, Virginia,
Kentucky and Texas was question
That occupied most of the first day
and was still undecided when adjourn
ment came Cor the day.
The next day the convention decid-
ed to admit the "border states" The
platform committee then brought in
us report. 1t was amended to in
crude a re-assertion of the ''self-evi-
Dent truths" of the constitution. At
adjournment little remained beyond
choosing the candidate, and Mr.. Wood
cnaracterizes that night as a tumul-
tuous one filled with band music and
professions until almost day. Enthu-
slaSm for Seward, well worked up in
MS behalf, was at high tide. Greedy
Ielegraphed his paper that Stewards
nomination appeared certain. Incl
dentally, remarks Mr.. Wood, this con-
Ventlon was the first at which the
telegraph was Employed.
Seward Was in Lead.
I!oW Lincoln came INTO the noml-
nation is now for many a familiar
story. Seward led on the first bal
lot l7312, with Lincoln next best at
iV2, and 233 necessary for choice.
a few more votes came to Seward on
tne second ballot, bringing his total
70 l84h, while Lincoln jumped to
uose quarters with 181. The taking
u the third ballot showed Lincoln 60
ing strongly to the front.
AS the figures were being compll-
e. D. K. Carter, of Cleveland, Ohio,
bunting them up for himself, found
mat Lincoln needed only few votes
y win. The tabulation in fact at
@at moment was II for Lincoln
and $50 for Seward, with 233 neces-
SSfy for the nomination. Instantly
SSafter was on his feet to announce
" transfer of four Ohio votes from
vase to Lincoln.
The convention quickly broke into
.ggene of enthusiasm with few par
n S%s in the long list of American
FV4Qcal conventions. Further votes