Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-01-06

voice. high pitched at first, meIlowed
into d pleasant sound.
One sentence In Lincoln's speech al
Ottawa thrust THE Little Giant of
Illinois out OF his way forever. Il was
this pregnant query:
"Can the people Of a United States
territory in any lawful way and
against the wish of any citizen OF the
United States exclude slavery from
its limits prior to the formation of
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
'The Little Giants" answer was the
famous "Freeport Heresy." He was
elected to the senate, but was no long
er possible as a candidate for the
presidency.
/ come now TO the last step In the
career of my friend and beloved mas
ter. 1t was the Republican conven-
ton Of 1860 in Chicago l was a
delegate. The New Workers came In
white beaver hats, enthusiastic for
| Seward. sheir favorite son. He was
the man we dreaded most. Many in
the great crowd were wearing his col
ors. The delegations were in earnest
session the night before the balloting
began. The hotel corridors were
thronged with excited men. My fa-
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 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 man whose pame
is .hallowed by my dearest reeollee-
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 a stir among the
delegates. / turned and saw the tall
form of Horace Greeley entering the
door. His, big. full face looked rather
serious. He wore gGld-bowed specta-
cles He was smooth-shaven save for
the silken, white, throat beard that
came out from under his collar. His
head was bald on top with soft, sill
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. l doubt
not they turned scores of men from
Seward to the great son of Illinois.
Then-the campaign with its crowds,
its enthusiasm, its VesUvian mutter-
ings. There was a curious touch of
humor and history in its banners. Here
are three of them:
"Menard County foc the Tall
Sucker"
1--WE are for old Abe the Giant
Killer"
Link on TO Lincoln"
Then-those last days in Springfield
He came to the office the afternoon
before he left and threw himself on
the lounge and talked of bygone days
with Herndon.
Billy, how long have we been to-
gether?" he asked.
sixteen years"
"Never a cross word"
Never"
Aeep the ola sign hanging. A 1T
tie thing like the election of a Presi-
dent should make no change in the
firm of Lincoln and Herndon. If l
live, Tn coming back some time and
then Wen so right on with the prac-
tice of the law as If nothing had hap
pened."
Then-that Monday morning in
Springfield, at eight o'clock, on the
eleventh of February, the train bore
him toward the great task of his life.
Hannah Armstrong, who had foxed
his trousers In New Salem, and the
venerable Doctor Allen and the Brim-
steads. and Aleck Ferguson. bent with
age, and Harry Needles and BIN and
| thnir four handsome chiIdrar md NV