The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1922-05-26

He Was Built for 4 Tool Of God In
Tremendous Moral Issues.
lapel Of his coat as Il to rest it. Per
spiration dripped from his face. His
voice, high pitched at first, mellowed
into a pleasant sound.
One sentence In Lincoln's speech at
Ottawa thrust 1.-THE Little Giant" Of
Illinois out Of his way forever. 1t 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.
1.-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. It was the Republican conven-
ton Of 1860 in Chicago. was a
delegate. The New Workers came la
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 were In earnest
session the night before the ballotlng
began. The hotel corridors were
thronged with excited men. My IA
Their had become a man Of wealth and
great influence In Illinois. l was with
him when he went into the meeting of
the Michigan delegates and talked to
them. He told how he came West in
a wagon and saw the spirit of Amer
lea tn 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
1erked venison.
Gentlemen" he said, II am willing
to take the word of man whose name
is hallowed by my dearest recollec-
tions. And believing what he has said
nf hro lincoln I for him
the second ballot"
The green Irish lad, whom remem-
Der dimly, had become great pcliti-
cal ehieftain and his words had rauch
effect. There was a 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 fOi
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 ia q high pitched
drawl:
Gentlemen. this Il 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 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. Herr
are three Of them:
"Menard County for the Tai
Seeker"
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
before he left and threw himself OF
the lounge and talked of bygone day.
With Herndon.
BILLY, how long have we been to
eetherr he asked.
sixteen years."
sNever a cross word"
Never"
Keep the old sign hanging. A lit
tie thing like the election Of Presi
dent should make no change In thu
Arm of Lincoln and Herndon. II
Nv, I'm coming back seDs dime an