The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 9

Sunday, March 23, 1948. DECATUR SUNDAY HERALD AND REVIEW FEATURE Abraham Lincoln First Identified With Republicans in 1856 in Decatur KEY POINTS IN THE DECATUR OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S DAY Made Decisive Break I Church, Rockford; William B. Og-den, Chicago; Gavion D. A. Parks, Joliet: Thomas J.

Pickett, Peoria; Edward A. Dudley. Quincy; William H. Herndon, Springfield; Richard J. Oglesby, Decatur; Joseph Gillespie, Edwardsville; David L.

Phillips, Jonesboro; and Grcat Wbstebn B.B. r4oTH ST. And I. STATIONS 6 Blocks Across With Dying Whig Party u5lJ WlLUAM Prairie. i i EDITORS NOTE; The article on this page appeared in the March, 1948, issue of The Abraham Lincoln Quarterly, published by the Abraham Lincoln Association, Springfield, and is reproduced here with the permission of the Quarterly's editors.

Otto R. Kyle, editorial page editor of The Review, is recognized as an authority on the Decatur and Macon county phases of the Lincoln story and has appeared as guest speaker before various local groups at the Lincoln's birthday season. During the last year Mr. Kyle has completed the manuscript of a history of "Lincoln in Decatur," a definite account of Lincoln's appearances in this community as a young man lately arrived from Indiana, as a lawyer riding the circuit, as a candidate for public office, as a visitor in the homes of Decatur friends and his last brief visit as Presidentelect en route to Washington. This article, "Mr.

Lincoln Steps Out: The Anti-Nebraska Editors' Convention," is a part of one chapter of Mr. Kyle's manuscript. of the editors present had inaugurated to make him the anti-Nebraska candidate for Governor at the ensuing election, Mr. Lincoln spoke (in substance) as follows: "I wish to' say. was nothing more than an attempt to resurrect the dead body of the old Whig Party.

I would secure the vote of: that party and no more, and our defeat will follow as a matter of course. But I can suggest a name that will secure not only the old Whig vote, but enough Anti Nebraska Democrats to give us the victory. That man is Colonel William H. Bissell." Shaw of Dixon related (till another incident of the Lincoln speech at that dinner. Lincoln said, according to Shaw, that he felt like the ugly man riding through a wood who met a woman, also on horseback, who stopped and said: "Well, for land sake, you are the homeliest man I ever saw." "Yes, madam, but I cant help it," he replied.

"No, I suppose not," she observed, "but you might stay at WHAT ELSE MR, LINCOLN said in that half-hour speech which Usrey did not have space for la hia paper, may never be known. On wonders whether Lincoln's suggestion of Bissell as a good candidate for governor explains the line in Selby's letter to Yates: "He read to me a letter from the gentleman we were speaking of last evening for and whether the convention fulfilled the expectation mentioned in another line in the letter: "I think we all agree as to what is to be done at the Convention." The state central committee called the Bloomington convention. The editors' convention had created the machinery to start a new political party in Illinois. Lincoln was at the launching. He became almost immediately its leader.

RenshaW Store. 11 stantial, and the meeting was called to order by the President, who delivered a neat and appropriate' address welcoming the Editorial Fraternity to the hospitality of the citizens. His "remarks were well received. Mr. Blaisdell.

in behalf of the press, responded with the sentiment: "The citizens of Decatur we fully appreciate their hospitality." Mr. Oglesby was then loudly called for. Mr. O. made a number of witty remarks and concluded by toasting Mr.

Abraham Lincoln as the warm and consistent friend of Illinois, and our next candidate for.the U. S. Senate. (Prolonged applause.) MR. LINCOLN AROSE and said the latter part of that sentiment I am in favor of.

Mr. L. said, that he was very much in the position of the man who was attacked by a robber, demanding his money, when he answered, "my dear fellow, I have no money, but If you will go with roe to the light, I will give you my note," and, resumed Mr. if you will let me off, I win give you my note. (Laughter and loud cries of go on.) Mr.

Lincoln then proceeded to address the assemblage for some half hour, in his usual masterly manner, frequently interrupted by the cheers of his hearers. Mr. Baker of the State Journal, was called for, and responded, that owing to the bountiful dinner, he was too full for utterance, but would give a toast, "Hon. Dick Oglesby, the next Secretary of State." (Applause.) Mr. Ray addressed the audience upon the Kansas difficulty at some length, and was listened to with marked attention.

To give all the toasts and speeches, uttered on the occasion, would exceed our space, and we bring this article to a close, by the remarks, that we were somewhat prised, that our Nebtn-ka friends, both in the city and attending from abroad, did not participate In the dinner, as such was the intention of the Committee. I a 3 I Main loo lincoln's Home In Macon Co. 8 mi. vet KOURTHOUStL, Casseu. VewAM i tli I in I I Wood WHILE USREY reported that Oglesby toasted Lincoln as "our next candidate for the U.

S. Senate," Selby who presided at the dinner, states in a letter written June 7. 1912 (published in the De catur Herald, June 9. 1912), that Oglesby suggested Mr. Lincoln's name as a candidate for governor.

Whereas Usrey reported that Lincoln responded to the suggestion that he be the next senator by Baying he was in sympathy with the idea, Selby wrote: In the course of his speech, referring to a movement some from the state at large, Gustave Koerner, Belleville, and Ira O. Wilkinson, Rock Island. Herndon, as Lincoln's law partner, an abolitionist Whig and a member of the 1854 Republican party effort, is not likely to have been on the state central committee without Lincoln's consent. A month after the editors' convention Herndon declared "this appointment is deemed by me the highest honoi' of my life." But when he wrote his "Life of Lincoln" he passed over the convention. Gillespie was a "Know-Nothing" Whig, and Koerner a German Democrat.

Oglesby left soon after the editors' meeting for a tour of Europe and Colonel Pugh was appointed in his place. Oglesby was later to become known as one of the original Lincoln men and staged two Lincoln demonstrations in the state Republican convention in Decatur in May, 1860, when Lincoln was indorsed, for the presidency. Ogden resigned due to absence from the state, and Dr. John Evans was named to his place. Koerner, then lieutenant governor, declined to serve due to his long affiliation with the Democratic party and the fact that he was not certain the time had arrived for a new party.

FINAL ACTION of the formal session of the editors' meeting was to recommend that a convention of anti-Nebraska force sof the state be called to meet in Bloomington on May 29, 1856. This was the convention in which the Republican party in Illinois was formally launched under the name of "anti-Nebraska" forces. With the business of the editors' convention over, there followed a dinner in the dining room of the Cassell House. It was here that Abraham Lincoln made his first public appearance with the anti-Nebraska forces and aligned himself with a new party, a party that in four years was to send him to the White House. Lincoln Speaks Secretary Usrey in the Feb.

28, 1856, issue of his Decatur State Chronicle reported the editors' dinner as follows: At Vt past 3 p.m. the Editorial Fraternity, along with a goodly number of citizens of this city, and invited guests, repaired to the spacious dining room of the Cassell House, where a sumptuous dinner had been prepared by the citizens, under the supervision of the Committee, Capt. I. C. Pugh, Dr.

H. C. Johns, Maj. E. O.

Smith, and others, Capt. Pugh presiding. After partaking of the sub -r J. Tailored In Hrifii implicit. 14k ytl-lew gold.

lavishly covarod In rich 14k yellow HGlaWfe Phone 3-2562 Decatur. iff vw jnery 3 thc Prairie. ST. Ave. 2D House St.

1I in Fairview park; there Lincoln tried his first cases here in 1838. Later he tried cases in the "new" brick courthouse in the southeast corner of the square. The St Nicholas hotel of today then was the Cassell House. Lincoln stopped at the Revere House on later visits to Decatur. When the Lincoln family first came to Decatur in his Decatur paper that Lincoln had anything to do with the resolution and the convention other than to be present at the dinner which followed.

In the official statement sent out to the press of the state there was no mention of Lincoln. This statement, signed by Selby and Usrey, was the only report carried by the Chicago Tribune on Feb. 25; 1856. Only a dozen editors appeared at convention time: K. W.

Blaisdell, Rockford Republican; 1 i a C. Daugherty, Rockford Register; Charles Faxon, Princeton Post; Allen N. Ford, Lacon Gazette; Thomas J. Pickett, Peoria Republican; Virgil Y. Ralston, Quincy Whig; Dr.

Charles H. Ray, Chicago Tribune; George Schneider. Illinois Staats-Zeitung; Paul Selby, Morgan Journal; Benjamin F. Shaw, Dixon Telegraph; William J. Usrey, Decatur Chronicle; Oliver P.

Wharton, Rock Island Advertiser. The storm had kept some at home, others were on trains that did not arrive, and still others, while indorsing the meeting, evidently hesitated to commit themselves by their presence. Lincoln, however, had made up his mind and stepped out into the stream of rapidly developing political events. THE MEETING was held in the parlor of the Cassell House, now the St. Nicholas hotel on Lincoln Square.

Selby was made chairman and Usrey, secretary. The credentials committee, composed of Faxon, Ford and Shaw, immediately excluded a reporter from the St. Louis Republican, a pro-slavery paper, who wanted to sit in on the That was about all the committee had to do; the resolutions committee had the important work. On the resolutions committee with Dr. Ray of the Chicago Tribune as chairman, were Schneider, Ralston, Wharton, Daugherty, and Pickett.

Schneider was editor of the leading German newspaper in the state. The Know-Nothing party with its "Americans Must Rule America" caused Schneider to insist that the editors' convention platform have a moderate anti-Know-Nothing plank. Lincoln is reported to have con: sented although it struck at some of his old friends in the Whig party. On the other hand, the German vote in Illinois was important. Selby later declared that "Messrs.

Ray and Schneider. also influential, factors In shaping the declaration of principles with which the new party in Illinois started on its long career The platform did not mention the name "re publican" and in general the De catur platform formed the basis for the platform later adopted by the anti-Nebraska forces in Bloom ington, May 29, 1856, when a state ticket was nominated and Lincoln made his famous "lost speech." Plank to Limit Slavery The Decatur platform opened with a long preamble in which the editors said that "in view of the universal commotion that pervades our whole country upon the subject of slavery, and the rights and obligations and responsibilities of the General and State governments and territories, with reference thereto, and in view of the necessity which exists for the establishment of a basis of common and concerted action among ourselves, (we) hold it to be our privilege, and a present duty, to define our position. The editors said they were "cheerfully according to the Slave States all the rights guaranteed to them 7 ki i 1121 I It 6t. i I Brick Court House I I Had Hand in Writing Platform Br OTTO K- KYLE On Feb. 14.

1B58. Paul Selby, editor of the Morgan Journal (Jacksonville, wrote from Springfield. to bit friend. Richard Yates, a lawyer and politician who was at that time president of the Tonica Petersburg railroad: I have bad an interview with -Mr. Lincoln today, and some conversation in reference to natters we were talking about last evening: I wish you would endeavor to see him soon, at least before the Editorial Convention.

He tells me he thinks he will try and have some business at Decatur at the time of the Convention. Can't you do the same. I think we all agree as to what is to be done at the Convention. He read to ma a letter from the gentleman we were speak-tnr of last evening for Govr. which contains the assurances you have been seeking for.

This he will show you when you see him. but of course this Is all in confidence. I write because I shall not probably be In Jacksonville before the Convention In Decatur. SiXBT8 LETTER was written eight days before a meeting of Illinois editors opposed to the Kansas-Nebraska bill was to be held in Decatur. Abraham Lincoln was not an editor and could not attend the sessions of the editors, but by invitation and seemingly by persuasion, he would "try and have some business at Decatur at the time of the Convention." The Whigs were floundering and bad been barely alive for the last four years.

Lincoln was a man without a party. He had come home on March 31. 1849. from his one term In Congress, "out of politics" and ready to resume his law practise. By 1854 he was back in politics as a Whig member of the state legislature, an office which he shortly resigned to seek election as United States senator.

When he could not muster the necessary votes he threw his strength to elect Lyman Trumbull. Trumbull's election in February, 1855. was a bitter defeat and a last staggering blow to the Whig forces. A lew months on August 24, Lincoln wrote to his friend, Joshua Fpeed. in Kentucky; "You inquire where I now stand.

That is a disputed point I think I am a Whig; but others say there are no Whigs, and that I am an abolitionfst. am not Know-Nothing. That is certain. Lincoln was truly a rr.an without a party. Anti-Nebraska Forces In 1854 anti-Nebraska forces had started to organize when it became apparent that the Kansas-Nebraska bill would be passed by Congress.

In May, 1854. the bill passed, repealing the Missouri Compromise and establishing territorial government fur the Kansas-Nebraska area with provisions for "popular sovereignty" or the right of the people of a territory to choose their wn institutions whether they 'would or would not have slavery. The bill was construed as opening the way for the spread of slavery Into new territory. Opposition to the measure, before and after it passed, drew strength from Stephen A. Douglas' Democratic party, as well as from the Whigs and other parties.

This opposition became known as the anti-Nebraska forces, but was at first without unity or direction. Mass meetings in various sections of Illinois were attended by leading Democrats as well as members of other parties. The Tazewell County Mirror, a Whig newspaper, proposed a state convention of "all parties and division of parties opposed to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise" in order to make ar-rangemenu for the fall election of 1854. The proposal failed. Illinois Whigs, opposing the Nebraska bill but not wanting to lose their identity, proposed that the dissenting Democrats and others Join them.

In October. 1854, an anti-Nebraaka or fusion state convention under the name of Republican met in Springfield with 2 delegates present. Selby being one ef the participants. Leading abolitionists were in charge, anti-Nebraska Democrats and Whigs refusing to be involved. A campaign was made that fall, but the new party failed to be the fusion frtj expected.

"EFFORTS CONTTNCED, however, to bring together the anti-Nebraska forces. editors' meeting in Decatur was an outgrowth of this effort at consolidation. Early in 1855. William Usrey end Charles H. Wingate organized and started publication of the Illinois State Chronicle in Decatur.

ith Usrey as editor. Its purpose was the uniting of the remnants of the Whig party and all other opponents of the Democratic party. "We speak without fear or favor of any particular party," said the editor's announcement of policy on April 14. "Our sentiments will be Jtepubllcsn sentiments, so far as we understand Republicanism. We thank the fates that we are not HI.

Pauk Central park PCVCRE. House. L-I in 1830 they traded at the Ren-shaw store; in front of it, in June or July of 1830, Lincoln made his first political speech in Illinois. The Wigwam was used on May 9 and 10, 1860, for the state Republican convention which indorsed Lincoln for President; it was then that he was given the campaign name of "The Railsplitter." by the Constitution," while the Bloomington platform recorded that "we will maintain all constitutional rights of the South." The editors went on to say that "we will strive by all legal means to restore to Kansas and Nebraska, a legal guarantee against Slavery, of which they were deprived at cost of the violation of the plighted faith of the Nation." The Bloomington platform used almost the identical language: will strive by all constitutional means to secure to Kansas and Nebraska the legal guaranty against slavery of which they were deprived at the cost of the violation of the plighted faith of the nation." WHILE THE EDITORS resolved "that the conditions which are demanded under plea of 'rights' as being essential to the security of Slavery throughout its expanded and expanding area, are inconsist ent with freedom, an invasion of our rights, oppressive and injust, and must be resisted," the Bloomington platform declared, "we also hold that justice, humanity, the principles of freedom as expressed in our declaration of Independence, and our national constitution and the purity and perpetuity of our government require that the power (of Congress) should be exerted to prevent the extension of slavery into territories heretofore free." In its anti-Know-Nothing plank the editors stepped out boldly, saying "that in regard to office we hold merit, not birthplace to be the test. we should welcome the exiles and emigrants from the Old World, to homes of enterprise and of freedom in the New (and) we are in favor of the widest tolerance upon all matters of religious faith, we will repel all attacks upon our Common School system, or upon any of our Institutions of an educational character, or our civil policy by the adherents of any religious body whatever." The Bloomington platform boiled down its stand on these points to: "Resolved, That the spirit of our institutions as well as the constitution of our country, guarantees the liberty of conscience as well as political freedom, and that we will proscribe no one, by legislation or otherwise, on account of religious opinions, or in consequence of place of birth." Both ended with a condemnation of the handling of state finances.

THE EDITORS adopted the report of the resolutions committee and proceeded with the naming of a state central committee, representing the nine congressional districts, plus two from the state at large, consisting of Scldcn M. PREPARE NOW FOR YOUR FUTURE Preparation for an office position is something you can't put off. if you delay your training until the Job is ready for you, you aren't ready for the job. But if you're forcsighted, you'll prepare now and bo ready for your opportunity. Inquire NOW and plan to start soon.

Brown's courses lead to better positions. BROWN'S BUSINESS COLLEGE Decatur LWJ ID WEDDING RING to linked to parties, and bound to go blind upon any party hobbies." On August 16, 1855, Editor Usrey urged a convention of anti-Nebraska forces in Bloomington, Springfield or Decatur. "What do you say, gentlemen? Let us hear from you." said his editorial and went on to indicate why the time was ripe for anti-Nebraska forces to be more closely organized. The editorial concluded: "The extension of slavery has been thrust upon the Union by the principles of the Nebraska bill, and it must be met; it is the all absorbing question, there is no dodging it. and for one we are in favor of giving it battle, let there be no sulking in camp.

face the enemy and strike them down, and by this means more will be accomplished in putting an end to agitation than by any other." SELBY WITH HIS Morgan Journal also was seeking to con solidate anti-Nebraska forces and originated the idea of a meeting of anti-Nebraska editors. In 1912, recalling the convention, he said: There appeared, early in January, 1856, in the editorial column of the "Morgan Journal" a weekly newspaper, at Jacksonville, 111., a suggestion favoring the holding of a conference of Anti-Nebraska editors of the State to consider and agree upon a line of policy to be pursued during the approaching campaign. The first indorsement came from the "Winchester (111.) Chronicle" then under the editorship of the late John Moses, afterwards the private secretary of the first Governor Richard Yates, and still late author of Moses' "History of Illinois." The indorsement of the Win. Chester paper was followed by a similar note of approval from the "Illinois State Chronicle." published at Decatur, and on the suggestion of the latter, Decatur was agreed upon as the place. SELBY '8 EDITORIAL, however.

appeared earlier than January, 1856. as Usrey in an editorial in his State Chronicle on December 6, 1835, approved Selby's suggestion as follows: We sometime since took the liberty of suggesting that a Convention of the anti-Nebraska forces be convened at no distant day, at some suitable point, say Bloomington, Springfield, or Decatur, in order that the principles contended for may be made available and that an undivided front be presented to the common enemy, that a withering rebuke may be given the administration party, through the ballot box. We are a large majority in Illinois, and union, harmony and concert of action is absolutely necessary to success. A fair understanding at the start, and success is both certain and easy. The following from the "Winchester Chronicle" meets our views and we give it our support: "The editor of the Morgan Journal with a view to harmonize the various elements of the great anti-Nebraska party in this state, proposes a Convention of the Editors and the various anti-Nebraska papers.

We second the motion. It is high' time for a better understanding among those who are battling in the same great cause. Why not have a convention, say in Decatur, which is central and of easy access, and that soon? The anti-Nebraska as the Morgan Journal says, 'comprise the ablest and by far the most respectable portion of the Press in the There surely ought to be some course taken to Insure unity of action." LET US HEAR from those papers Immediately and let us have the time most convenient to hold the convention named, suppose we say the 8th 'of January next. Our city is easy of access, situated as it is on the main Indicated on this map of the central part of today's business district of Decatur are some of the features of the town which played a part in Abraham Lincoln's days here. In the southwest corner of Lincoln square stood the first log courthouse, now standing track of the Illinois Central Railroad, immediately at the junction of this and the Great Western, with a daily line of coaches running eastward, it can be reached as soon as any other point in the State.

Our hotels are large and well kept, so there will be no inconvenience suffered by our editorial brethren while in attendance on the convention. We would suggest that all anti-Administration editors throughout the State publish the call and give us their views upon the subject; shall we have a response? Lincoln Joins Forces It was finally agreed that the editors would meet In Decatur on Feb. 22, 1856. Usrey published the call for the convention in the week ly State Chronicle on Jan. 10, 1856, and 27 papers sent their approval.

One week before the convention Editor Usrey estimated that there would be 50 to 75 editors present, but he could not know that a snow storm would cripple and delay rail road transportation on the day of the convention. The plans were made and a committee of Decatur citizens Dr. II. C. Johns, Mayor E.

O. Smith. Captain Isaac C. Pugh. W.

W. Oglesby, William Mar- tin, J. R. Coiin, Charles II. Win-gate and J.

W. Clement arranged to give the editors a public dinner. What plans had been made elsewhere can only be surmised. Sel by's letter to Yates stated. "I think we all agree as to what is to be done in the Convention.

(Lincoln) read to me a letter from the gentleman we were speaking of last evening for Govr. which contains the assurances you have been seeking for." Some persons seem to have had definite plans for the editors' convention and what was to follow. LINCOLN WAS in Decatur on Feb. 22, 1856, the day the editors met. He was making i first public association with the forces that were the real beginning of the Republican party in Illinois.

There had been cdunty organizations at various points in the state under the name of the Republican party, but they were all local affairs. In going to Decatur on Washington's birthday in 1856, Lincoln ended his indecision and reluctance to break old party lines. It was a decisive step to make a new politi cal alliance. On the day Lincoln was aligning with the anti-Nebraska forces to form a new party in Illinois the Republican party was organized on a national basis in Pittsburgh and a nominating convention called to meet in Philadelphia on June 17, 1856. Strangely enough, also on this same day, the American (Know-No thing) party, which had been formed out of a portion of the defunct Whig: party, held its national convention in Philadelphia, reaffirming the party creed with its slogan of "Americans Must Rule America." "THE MOST IMPORTANT work of the (editors') convention," related Selby later, "was transacted through the medium of the com mittee on resolutions.

Mr. Lincoln came up from Springfield and was in conference with the committee during the day, and there is reason to believe that the platform, re ported by them through Dr. Ray as their chairman, and adopted by the convention, bears the stamp of his peculiar intellect. Editor Usrey, who was secretary of the convention, did not mention Ifs an Important cjuMtlonfor thott Important tteo In vour life. Thaf why It pay to be jure you hove tho vary finott In baoutyquallty.ond valut.

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