Diary of George Templeton Strong, April 17, 1860

After an apology for a dinner, I went to [Arnold] Guyot’s lecture at the Law School. Well attended and very hot; lecture original and interesting. Thereafter discoursed with Guyot, whom I like, and General Scott, the most urbane of conquerors. Curious it is to observe the keen, sensitive interest with which he listens to every whisper about nominations for the coming presidential campaign.

The Charleston Convention will nominate Douglas, I think. Then comes the sanhedrim of the undeveloped Third Party. It is not at all unlikely Scott may be its nominee. In that case, it is possible the Republican Convention may adopt him. I wish things might take that course, but hardly hope it. Neither Douglas nor Hunter nor Banks suits me.

SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, p. 22

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, May 14, 1860

Quincy     Thundered & lightened last night, but did not rain—Quite cool this morning. Soon after breakfast took Steamer Hannibal for home where we arrived at 10 А. М. *At 512 PM took the cars for Chicago, to attend the National Republican Convention which is to assemble there on Wednesday. At Galesburg took a sleeping car, and had comfortable nights rest. *A great many going up-long train of cars & all crowded

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 406

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, May 15, 1860

Arrived in Chicago before breakfast this morning and stopped at Briggs House. Head quarters of our delegation at the Tremont House. We have had a busy day arranging the programme of proceedings. By request I went in Chicago company with Judge Davis and Tom Marshall to meet and confer with the Maine delegation; and at their solicitation made them a speech. Also called upon the delegation of New Hampshire     At night we received a message from the Massachusetts delegation, and called upon them at their rooms. I addressed them also upon the aspect of political affairs in Illinois

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 406-7

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, May 16, 1860

Chicago     At 12 Meridian the Convention assembled at the wigwam near Lake Street bridge, and were called to order by Gov Morgan¹ of New York, who is Chairman of the National Central Committee David Willmot² of Pa: was appointed temporary Chairman He is a dull, chuckel headed, Chicago booby looking man, and makes a very poor presiding officer. After appointing Committees with a view to permanent organization adjourned till 5 P. M. at which time we again assembled, when Mr Ashman³ was elected President of the Convention. I was designated by our delegation as Vice President for Illinois, but declined, and Judge Davis was appointed in my place. After appointing some additional Committees we adjourned till 10 O'clock tomorrow morning

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¹ Edwin D. Morgan, 1811-1883. Chairman of the Republican National Committee, 1856-1864; governor of New York, 1859-1862; major general of volunteers; United States senator, 1863-1869.

² David Wilmot, 1814-1868. Representative from Pennsylvania, 29th, 30th, 31st congresses; United States senator, 1861-1863; author of the Wilmot Proviso.

³ George Ashmun, 1804-1870, of Springfield, Massachusetts, member of Congress from 1845 to 1851.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 407

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, May 17, 1860

Warm day—The convention was occupied all day on credentials, rules and resolutions. The platform was adopted late in the afternoon, when we adjourned to meet at 10 AM tomorrow when we will proceed to nominate candidates [Leaf missing.] *My first choice for the Presidency was Mr Bates of Missouri, but under instructions our whole delegation voted for Mr Lincoln Many reasons influenced me to support Mr Bates, the chief of which, next to his eminent fitness, were to strengthen our organization in the South, and remove apprehension in the South of any hostile purpose on the part of Republicans to the institutions of the South—to restore fraternal regard among the different sections of the Union—to bring to our support the old whigs in the free states, who have not yet fraternized with us, and to give some check to the ultra tendencies of the Republican party. Mr Bates received 48 votes on the first ballot, and would probably have been nominated if the struggle had been prolonged¹

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¹ Browning's entries in his diary give a disappointing account of the work of the convention which nominated Lincoln, and of Browning's own work therein. Though he privately favored Bates, his influence for Lincoln, exerted according to instructions, seems to have been a factor of importance. Gustave Koerner, one of the Illinois delegates, has left an interesting account of the way in which the Illinois men worked to obtain support for Lincoln from the delegations of other states. The Bates forces were working hard to win over the Indiana and Pennsylvania delegations which were holding a meeting at the court house. Koerner states that he and Browning were "despatched to counteract the movement." Koerner urged Lincoln as a candidate far more likely to win the support of German Republicans than Bates. Browning, he said, spoke from the Whig standpoint, showing that Lincoln ought to satisfy the Whigs of Indiana and Pennsylvania, while his opposition to nativism ought to win for him the foreign vote. Koerner adds: "He [Browning] wound up with a most beautiful and eloquent eulogy on Lincoln, which electrified the meeting." After this the delegates held a secret session and it was later learned that Indiana would go for Lincoln at the start, while the Pennsylvanians would support him as a second choice. Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, 2: 87-89.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 407-8

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, May 19, 1860

At 9 A. M. left Chicago on my way home, and arrived at midnight, having been delayed several hours on the way. Gov Selden¹ of New York, who was one of the delegates to the Convention, came down the road as far as Batavia. He introduced himself to me, and thanked me, on behalf of the New York delegation, for my speech of yesterday.

I had a good deal of conversation with him upon political subjects. He thinks with great effort New York may be carried for Mr Lincoln, but does not regard it as certain. The delegation of that state was greatly devoted to Mr Seward, and are mortified and disappointed.

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¹ Henry R. Selden, 1805-1885. Lieutenant governor of New York from 1850 to 1858.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 408

Another Chair.

J. D. Meese, of Osseo, Hillsdale County, Mich., has sent, in charge of W. W. Murphy, an unique rustic chair to the Republican Convention. It is composed of thirty-four varieties of timber, representing thirty-three full-grown States and one in embryo. In deference to the memory of two great statesmen—Clay and Jackson—he has place two species of wood in it, ash for Kentucky and hickory for Tennessee, and for Kansas the weeping willow. He has so arranged the whole that they represent, as near as may be, the Union.

SOURCE: “Another Chair,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Excursion to Hyde Park.

Under the excellent lead of H. E. Sargent, Esq., of the Michigan Central Railroad, a very pleasant excursion party visited Hyde Park from this city, drawn mainly from the Massachusetts delegation. They passed several hours in the spacious parlors and verandahs of the Hyde Park House, extracted divers corks, and made the city in good style about 6 o’clock. Gilmore’s splendid Boston Band, who are to give their concert at Metropolitan Hall this evening, accompanied the party, and discoursed notes on which here is surely no “discount.”

SOURCE: “Excursion to Hyde Park,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

German Republican Documents.

The speeches of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Hon. Owen Lovejoy, Hon Galusha A. Grow, and Mr. Carl Schurz in the German language, published by the New York Deomkrat, can be obtained of Messrs. Erbe and Kapprueier, No. 63 Clark street.

SOURCE: “German Republican Documents,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Attention, Californians!

The returned Californians in this city are requested to meet at the office of J. T. Hoyt, No. 43 Clark street at a quarter before nine o’clock, to go in a body to the Tremont house at nine o’clock precisely, to be introduced to the California delegation. Every returned Californian in the city is particularly requested to be present.

SOURCE: “Attention, Californians!” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels.

This Company commenced performances last night at Kingsbury Hall, and all who desire to have a good night’s fun and a hearty laugh had better attend to-night. The singing is excellent and the jokes all new.

SOURCE: “Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Banquet at the Adams House.

The returned Californians in this city give a banquet to the California delegation at the Adams house on Friday next. It is expected to be a magnificent affair.

SOURCE: “Banquet at the Adams House,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

All Republicans from Indiana . . .

. . . (except the delegates), are requested to meet at the Court House to-morrow morning, at 7 ½ o’clock. By order of an adjourned meeting.

E. Locks, Sec.

SOURCE: “All Republicans from Indiana,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Members of the Press . . .

. . . who have furnished their names to the Local Committee, will obtain tickets of admission to the Convention by calling at Room No. 4 Tremont House. Gentlemen of the press who have not registered their names, will please call at the Journal office before 9 o’clock A. M., and do so.

Chicago, May 15, 1860.

C L. WILSON,

J. MEDILL,

F. SCHLAGER,

Local Committee.            

SOURCE: “Members of the Press,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Michigan Delegation.

Head Quarters at the Adams House reception Parlor.

AUSTIN BLAIR, Chairman.

THOS. W. FERRY, Secretary.

SOURCE: “Michigan Delegation,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Vermont Delegation.

The Head Quarters of the Vermont delegation have been changed from No. 2 Lind’s Block, to No. 5, the same block.

SOURCE: “Vermont Delegation,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

The Zouave Drill at the Wigwam.

The United States Zuave Cadets gave one of their admirable and much admired drills at the wigwam this evening. Tickets free to all applicants for the same.

This drill is given at the request of the Citizens for the entertainment of the strangers from abroad. Those who received invitations to the last drill of the Cadets, as but few of them saw the drill, are again invited, the gallery being reserved from them. No gentleman will be admitted to the gallery unless accompanied by ladies. The Balance of the Hall will be reserved for strangers from abroad, who can obtain tickets at the different hotels. Such of our citizens as have friends from abroad stopping with them can obtain tickets by application at the Cadet’s Hall, corner of Randolph and State streets, or at this office.

SOURCE: “The Zouave Drill at the Wigwam,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Grand Instrumental Concert at Metropolitan Hall.

Among the most welcome of those who have come among us, drawn by the present political Convention, we are gratified to see and recognize the celebrated Gilmore’s Band, which has accompanied the Massachusetts Republicans to the West. As a musical organization, this band takes rank even with the famous “Dodsworth” of New York, and their concert this evening will be a rich treat to those of our people who have the love of music in the souls. Their repertore [sic] contains all the best arrangements of the higher grades of instrumental music, and their programme for this evening presents a selection of gems which make it sparkle with beauty. The house, we have no doubt, will be crowded, and we recommend an early application for tickets, which can be had at the hotels and principal music stores.

SOURCE: “Grand Instrumental Concert at Metropolitan Hall,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Territorial Delegates in the Convention, May 15, 1860

Editors Press & Tribune:

A portion of the Nebraska delegation to the Chicago Convention arrived here this evening. They were much surprised to be informed by persons at the Tremont House that the Kansas Delegation would be admitted to the Convention with the privilege of voting, but that the Nebraska delegation would be invited to the seats in the pit, without any voice in determining nominations or platform. By what showing of logic, I ask, is it proposed to admit the one and exclude the other? If I am correctly informed there is no possible chance for the admission of Kansas into the Union before the November election. The Senate is understood to be directly hostile to it. If then, it is proposed to admit one Territory which cannot possibly give an electoral vote to any candidate, why exclude another? It is argued that the Convention of 1856 established a precedent in favor of Kansas by admitting her to the National Republican Convention. But does not this precedent apply equally to Nebraska. Was Kansas then admitted because she was supposed to be soon to come into the Union? Not at all. She was admitted because she had sent delegates! We feel that we have done a glorious work in Nebraska during the past three years. We have wrested the territory from the Sham Democracy fairly and squarely. We appeal to the Convention to accord us our rights in the premises. We are fairly entitled, under the call, to seats in the convention as Kansas. The call of the committee constitutes the “ruling powers” of the Convention, and if there is to be any deviation from that instrument we demand that we be awarded the same privileges which are extended to others in like circumstances.

NEBRASKA.

CHICAGO, May 15, 1860.

SOURCE: “Territorial Delegates in the Convention,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 2

Citizens of Wisconsin Escort.

The citizens of Wisconsin will meet at the head-quarters of the Wisconsin delegates, in Rice’s block, opposite the Post Office, at 11 o’clock this forenoon, to escort the delegates to the wigwam. A full attendance is requested.

SOURCE: “Citizens of Wisconsin Escort,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 2