CHICAGO, May 15, 1860.
Since my letter of yesterday, thousands of republicans have
arrived in the city. The railroad arrivals from every direction come with
lengthened trains and burthened with their human freight. All night, or until
two o’clock this morning, the streets were made vocal with bands of music
accompanying the different delegations which were frequently arriving. It was a
grand rallying of freemen from every hill and valley of the north and south.
Last night there was speaking in the great wigwam. It was
nearly full and would have been quite so, if thousand had not been watching and
preparing for the grand reception of the New England delegation which arrived
at 9.45 P.M. All the streets in the neighborhood of the depot were crowded.
Michigan avenue was illuminated. The arrival of the train was announced by
rockets, the booming of cannon, and the loud hurrahs of the people. The Wide
Awakes were out and formed a brilliant torch light procession, accompanying the
delegates to their quarters.
There were about three hundred of the Wide Awakes—each man
carried a torch held aloft by a staff, and wore upon his head a cap, and over
his shoulders hung a black oil silk mantle to prevent the oil from the torches
from soiling his clothes. They made an animated appearance, and are an
institution to be widely disseminated
during this campaign. They are a military company and a fire company, combined
with political zeal; a compound sufficiently exciting to draw numerous votaries,
and will give much zest to the approaching political contest.
The speakers at the Wigwam were Hon. Caleb B. Smith of
Indiana, Hon. Thomas B. Van Buren of New York. They were all good speeches,
were plentifully imbued with the “irrepressible conflict” doctrine. Mr. Coffey
was especially zealous, and declared that the republicans could carry
Pennsylvania with any candidate fairly representing their principles.
This was the first time he have attended a public meeting in
the Wigwam. Its capacity is equal to the accommodation of ten thousand people,
although its extension would not indicate it. The platform is large enough to
contain the members of the national convention. There are roomy galleries,
while under them, and in their front many thousand people can stand. The whole
is built in the form of an ampitheatre, sustained by tall columns which reach
to the roof which are festooned with evergreens. Around in front of the
galleries are painted coats of arms of several states. The whole interior is
elegantly decorated, and when lighted with gas and filled by an enthusiastic
audience presents a fine appearance. The people of Chicago deserve and receive
great credit for their liberality and taste in getting up with the Wigwam.
To-day has been spent by the thousands who throng the
streets and the hotels, in discussing the nomination. It is carried on with
zeal, but with perfect good feeling. The friends of Seward are by far the most
numerous, and act fully in concert. They are in earnest for his nomination,
believing that now is the time to nominate and elect him. Such is the judgment
of his most cool and calculating friends. They are therefore working for him
with a will.—They think they can count upon more than one-third of the vote
upon the first ballot. It is believed that neither Bates nor McLean will have
much of a show in the convention. Lincoln, Chase, Wade and Cameron are most
mentioned next to Seward. The nomination will be one of these four with the
chance much in favor of Seward.
The enthusiasm of the people along the various lines of
railroad, especially in Michigan and Northern Indiana, is represented by the
delegates to be great; while here it is up to fever heat, and will soon spread
over the whole country.
There are whole sets of delegates from Virginia, Kentucky
and Missouri. The majority of the delegates from the two former states are for
Seward, and propose to fight the battle upon principle, rather than expediency.
The Missourians have brought with them a Bowie knife as a
present to Hon. John F. Potter, which is of rather formidable dimensions.
Including the handle, it is seven feet long; the blade is three feet and six
inches in length, and three inches in width. On one side of the blade is
inscribed “presented to John F. Potter of Wisconsin, by the republicans of
Missouri—1860.” On the reverse—“Will always meet a ‘Pryor’ engagement.” This
present attracts great attention and excites much mirth at Pryor’s expense. It
is rather a significant instrument, and means a good deal more than it says.
A meeting of the Wisconsin delegates which was attended by
quite a number of the citizens of the state not delegates, was held at their
head quarters, opposite the post office, this afternoon. Mr. Schurz was
selected as chairman of the delegation to give the vote of the state, and was
instructed for Mr. Seward, as long as he shall be a candidate before the
convention. Mr. Crocker was recommended as one of the presidents, Mr. Frisbie
as one of the secretaries, Mr. Schurz as one of the committee on resolutions,
Mr. Rann as one of the committee on credentials, and Mr. McGregor as one of the
committee on permanent organization.
A resolution was adopted that the citizens of Wisconsin meet
at 11 o’clock to-morrow forenoon at the head-quarters of the delegation, and
escort the delegation to the convention.
The editorial fraternity is largely represented. The Journal
of this afternoon reports 121 as already registered at that office, and this
number does not include several registered since.
A long letter might easily be written noticing minor
incidents connected with this convention, but the difficulty of discriminating,
and deciding what shall be omitted, comprises a task we can easiest avoid by
declining to notice any.
The convention meets as 12 o’clock to-morrow. The canvass,
as we have already stated, for President is a very animated one. Many of the
ablest and best known republicans in the Union are present as outsiders, and if
the convention fails to make a good nomination, the failure cannot be attributed
to a lack of advice or want of positive opinion as to a proper person.
A day or two will determine the question of nomination, and
until then we will waive all opinion on the matter.
SOURCE: “Editorial Correspondence of the Gazette,” Janesville Weekly Gazette, Janesville,
Wisconsin, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 2, col. 2-3.
