The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-09
Wales Porter Joined "Wide Awakes", 7S Years Ago
 To Elect Abraham Lincoln, President Of The U. s.
City's Sole Survivor Tells Stirring Story of Election of
 "Honest
 Abe"

who were packed In the WiRWnin. To this man one of tho secretaries shouted: FIRE THE eALUTEl ABE LINCOLN IS NOMrNATEDp Then, as the cheering inside died away, the roar began on tho out- side, and swelled up from the ex- cited masses. This tho insiders heard, and to it they replied. Thus deep called to deep with such 0 frenzy of sympathetic enthusiasm that even the laundering salute of cannon was unheard by many on the platform.
 Change of Vote
 "When the multitudes became too tired to cheer more, the bust. ness of the convention proceeded. Half dozen men were on their feet announcing the change of votes of their states, swelling MT. Lin- coln's majority. Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Virginia, California, Texas, Kansas, Nebras- ka and oregon insisted on casting unanimous votes for MT. Lincoln, before the vote was declared. When the vote was declared, Mir. Evarts, on. behaf of the New York delegation, moved that the nom- ination of MT. Lincoln should be made unanimous. John A. An. drews of Massachusetts and Carl Schurz of Wisconsin seconded the motion, and 1t was carried.
 "From Chicago the news spread over the country, and the cannon's throat responded to the click of the telegraph from Maine to the Mississippi. Tho outgoing trains that night found bonfires blazing at every village, and excited crowds to cheer the retiring dele. gates, most of whom were either too weak or too hoarse to respond.
 Tn tho little city of Springfield, In the heart of Illinois, two hun- dred miles from where those OK. citing events were in progress, sat Abraham Lincoln, in close and constant telegraphic communica- ton with his friends in Chicago, He was apprised of tho results of every ballot, and, with his home friends, Bnt in the Journal office receiving and commenting upon the dispatches. It was ono of the decisive moments of his life-a moment oil which hung his fate as Q public man-his place in history. He fully appreciated the momentous results of the conyen- ton to himself and to the nation, and foresaw the nature of the great struggle which his nomina- ton and election would inaugu- rate. At last, in the midst of in- tense and painful excitement, 6 messenger from tho telegraph of- flee entered with the decisive dis- patch in his hand. Without hand. Ing it to any one, he took his way solemniy to tho side Of Mir. Lin- coin, and said; The convention has made Q nomination, and Mir. Seward is-the second man on the list Then he jumped upon the eds itoriai table and shouted, d,-dentle- men I propose three cheers for Abraham Lincoln, the next Presi- dent of tho United statesl' and the coll was bosterously respond- ed to. He then handed the dis- patch to Mir. Lincoln who read 1t in silence, and then aloud, It's contents. After the excitement had in a meaaiifa from the little assembly, MT. Lincoln rose, and after Femarking that there was Q little woman oil Eighth street who had some interest in the matter, poeketed the telegram and walked home"
 tTo Do Continued in Tomorrow'l DeHaaafat1