Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-05-16
CONVENTION WHICH SELECTED LINCOLN
 MET 50 YEARS AG0
Approach of 1920 Meeting Re. calls Famous Anti-War
 Gathering

Chicago May 15.-The converting of the Republicans in Chicago. June 6, to nominate candidate for President recalls afresh at this time the Repub ifcan convention opening here 60 years ago which nominated Abraham Lin- coin. This was the second national Republican convention and the first of the many which have since been held in Chicago.
 The convention assembled on May l6, 1860, and Lincoln was nominated on May 19, the third and last dav. After this election feeling aroused by the slavery issue ran quickly into civil war.
 Relies of the campaign of 1860. in- cluding the oil paintings of the "rail splitter" are preserved by the Chica- go Historical Society E. E. Wood .4ield secretary of the society, has just repared what he regard as the most seomplete account of the events of the convention of 60 years ago. In this he calls attention to Addison G. Proctor of Ann Harbor, Mich, who, Mr. Wood believes, is the only surviving delegate of the convention.
 Chicago in 1860 was a promising city of 10000 not quite 25 years old It had won the convention by the offer to build the largest assembly hall in the country and fill it at every ses- sion. Accordingly the "Wigwam' arose at the soutl. west corner of Lake and Market streets, occupying space 100 by 80 feet. It was temporary wooden structure costing little owe, the estimated $5,00O. The balance was made up by charging 25 cents ad- mission on it's formal opening the Sat. urdav before the convention.
 Few Republican conventions, if any have been so charged with excitement or had so spectacular an ending. Lin- coln's prospects appeared small enough before the convention opened The favorite was William II. Seward Senator from New York. He had g great asset in the ability of Thurlow Weed, who prosecuted his campaign among the delegates. He suffered 2 handicap in the determined opposition of Horace Greeley, the famous New York editor, who had no candidate of his own but refused to have Seward Both Greeley and Weed were earl, on the ground and according to MT Woods review. the centers of inter est. He notes, however, that other and non-politi'cal attractions. were numerous, among them being Zouaves circus band. minstrels, and such well known theatrical pieces of the day a "Lucretia Borgia" and "The Hdder Hand"
 The slavery issue camesup quickly on the first day of the convention when David Wilmot of Pennsylvania gen taking the chair as temoprar, chairman, made a ten minute anit slavery speech. "No extension O slavery" became an essential part O, the platform next day.
 In view of the many days now spen in hearino' delegate contests, this con vention of 60 wears ago offered some thing novel There were no contested delegates. There were. however. som' acontesting" states. Whether to ad init Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky ant Texas was a question that occupie, most of the first day and was stil undecided when adjournment came fo the day.
 The next day the convention decid ed to admit the "border states" Tn, nlatform committee then brought il it's report It was amended to includ, reassertion of the "self eviden truths" of the Constitution. At ad J0uTnmenC ittCfe TGHld'Heu DeNoHu tn choosing of the candidate. and MT Wood characterized that night as tumultuous one filled with band musi and processions until almost day. En thusiasm for Seward, we'll worked III in his behalf, was at high tide. Gree lev telegraphed his paper that Sew ards nomination appeared certain. In cidenta1ly, remarks Mir. Wood. thi convention was the first at which tn, telegraph was employed.
 How Lincoln came into the nomina ton is now for many a familiar story Seward led in the first ballot 173 l.. with Lincoln next best at 102, and 23' necessary for ~choice. A few mor' votes came to Seward on the secons ballot, bringing his total to 1S4 1-2 while Lincoln jumped to close ouar ss ters with 181. The taking of the thirt ballot showing Lincoln going strongl. to the front.
 As the figures were being compiled D. K. Cartier. of Cleveland Ohio counting them up for himself found that Lincoln needed only few vote: to win. The tabulation in fact at that moment was 231 1-2 for Lincoln ane 1S0 for Seward, with 233 necessary fol the nomination. Instantly Cartier was