The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-11-25

| INTO d pitdSdnI 5Ouhu-
One sentence In LincoIn's speech a
Ottawa thrust 1.-THE Little Giant" O.
Illinois out of his way forever. II wa.
this pregnant query:
Can the people of United State.
territory In any lawful way ant
against the wish of any citizen Of the
United States exclude slavery from
It's limits prior TO the formation of a
state constitution"
He knew that Douglas would an.
swer yes and that, doing so. he would
ALLEVIATE the South and destroy his
chance to be President two years later
That is exactly what came TO pass
1.-The Little Giants" answer was the
famous "Freeport Heresy." He was
elected to the senate. but was no long,
or possible as a candidate for the
presidency.
| come now to the last step In the
career Of my friend and beloved mas
ter. IT was the Republican conven-
ton OF 1860 In Chicago. | was a
delegate. The New Workers came In
white beaver hats, enthusiastic for
Seward. their favorite son. He was
the man we dreaded most. Many In
the great crowd were wearing his col
ors. The delegations we're in earnest
session the night before the balloting
| began. The hotel corridors were
thronged with excited men. My ia
Their had become man of wealth and
| great influence In Illinois. | was with
him when he went into the meeting of
| the Michigan delegates and talked to
| them. He told how he came West In
wagon and saw the spirit of Amer
lea in the water floods of Niagara and
saw again the spirit of America In the
life of the boy, Abe Lincoln, then
flowing toward its manhood. When
he sat down, the Honorable Dennis
Flanagan arose and told of meeting
the Traylor party at the Falls. when
he was driving an ox-team, in a tall
beaver hat; how he had remembered
their good advice and cookies and
jerked venison.
Gentlemen" he said, 81 am willing
to take the word of a man whose name
is hallowed by my dearest recollec-
tions And believing what he has said
Of Abraham Lincoln, am for him on
the second ballot"
The green Irish lad, whom remem-
Der dimly. had become great politi-
cal chieftain and his words had much
effect. There was stir among the
delegates. l turned and saw the tall
form of Horace Greeley entering the |
door. His big, full face looked rather |
serious, He wore gold-bowed specta- |
cles. He was smooth-shaven save for |
the silken, white, throat beard that |
came out from under his collar His
vered locks over each ear. They called
on him to speak. He stepped forward
and said slowly in a high-pitched
drawl:
Gentlemen, this is my speech: On
your second ballot vote for Abraham
Lincoln of Illinois,"
He bowed and left the room and
visited many delegations, and every
where expressed his convictions in
this formula. Backed by his tremen-
dous personality and influence, the
simple words were impressive. doubt
not they turned scores of men from
Seward to the great son of Illineis.
Then-the campaign with its crowds.
is enthusiasm, its Vesuvian mutter-
ngs. There was a curious touch of
lumor and history In its banners. Here
Ire three of them:
"Menard County for the Tall
sucker"
I'VE are for old Abe the Giant
Killer"
Link on TO Lincoln"
Then-those last days in Springfield.
He came TO the office the afternoon
efore he left and threw himself on
he lounge and talked of bygone days G
nth Herndon.
BILLY, how long have we been to- q
etherYr he asked.
sixteen years."
'Never a cross word"
Never" n
Keep the old sign hanging. A lit
e thing like the election of a Presi-
ent should make no change In the
RIM of Lincoln and Herndon. If
We, I'm coming back some time and
len Wen go right on with the prac- !,
ce Of the law as II nothing had hap !,
ened."
Then-that Monday morning in :
pringfeld. at eight o'clock, on the "
cyenth OF February, the train bore :
IN toward the great task of his life =
annah Armstrong, who had foxed y
Is trousers In New Salem, and the =
,nerable Doctor Allen and the Brim- =
eads and Aleck Ferguson, bent with :.
,e, and Harry Needles and BIN and
cir four handsome children, and my =
lther and mother, and Betsey, my :,
alden sister, and Ell Frendenberg ~
ere there in the crowd to bid him =,
'Od-by. ,,
A quartet sang. Mr.. Lincoln asked 70
5 friends and neighbors to pray for a,
: cucCQSS He was moved nv tho |