340 THE BREAKING Of THE DEADLOCK.

repeatedly stated that I would welcome any solution of this problem which
was not inimical to the interests of the loyal delegates supporting me.
[Applause.] 1 have asked during that time that my own political fortunes
be disregarded; that only the party and my friends be considered.

Yesterday, when some other form of ballot was suggested, I stated
frankly and fully that my friends and I would welcome any form of
ballot which it might be thought would end this deadlock. In response
to the question put to me, I stated that I would go before this convention
with the other candidates and promptly release my delegates from any
instructions or any pledges to support my candidacy. [Applause.] I added
further that any remedy recommended by the gentlemen of this committee
would be cheerfully acquiesced in by me without reference to any political
ai\ibition of my own. [Applause.] I am still a candidate, but before I was
a candidate I was a Republican. After I shall cease to be a candidate, I
will still be a Republican. [Applause.]

I make these statements because it seems to me that the ambition of
any man here is small indeed compared with the weal of the five million
people within the borders of Illinois. I am a Republican from conviction.
I believe that this Republic of ours is the last, best hope of the world,
and I believe from the bottom of my heart that the destiny of this
Republic is in the keeping of the Republican party. Believing this as I
do, I believe that whether we are rich or poor, the best heritage we shall
leave our children will be our institutions unimpaired. I will yield to
any remedy, any recommendation whatsoever, which will end this dead-
lock and let us return to our homes. [Applause.]

And now, my friends, let us forget all else except that we are Repub-
licans. I favor this resolution, and trust my friends will support it. I
thank you. [Applause.]

After the applause had subsided, following Goh^nel Lowden's
remarks, Mr. Reeves said :

" If Governor Yates is in the room — I do not see him for the
moment — I will yield to him five minutes."

Governor Yates, getting upon his chair, just across the aisle
from that on which Colonel Lowden had stood, turned to the con-
vention and said :

Gentlemen of this convention, the privilege and pleasure of speaking
to this magnificent body of delegates for a few moments is a privilege
as pleasant as it is totally unexpected. Having had no notice whatever
of the proposition to allow candidates for Governor to speak to you, I have
no set words in which to address you at this moment. I have been going
up and down the State of Illinois for over one hundred days, believing
that there could be no higher privilege than that of pleading a just cause
before a jury that I know will do right, the Republicans of Illinois.
[.\pplause.] Believing in common not only with the candidates for Gov-
ernor, but, I presume, in common with every other Republican in this con-
vention and in Illinois, that the ultimate and divinely ordained mission
of the .'Kmerican people can be carried out and accomplished only through
the sublime principles of the Republican party, I have been submitting
every question directly to the rank and file of this party. Accordingly,
yesterday my friends, upon the floor of this convention, proposed that in
view of this deadlock we refer this whole matter of the Republican nomi-
nation for Governor to the fountain head, to the Republican voters of
the State. The delegates to this convention, in their discretion and in
their wisdom, decided not to adopt that resolution which came from my



PART TWO: THE CONVENTION.



341



friends, that solution, which I believe to be the correct solution, the final
solution, because it involves a decision from which there lies no appeal.
That decision having been given by you, I cheerfully submitted.

Now, in common with every other candidate for Governor, I favor any
proposition which will result, as this convention has already resulted, in
cementing closer than ever the bonds of patriotism which bind us together
as members of the greatest political party and organization upon which
the sun ever shone, at any time, in any clime. [Applause.] Therefore,
without waiting to be called upon to address this convention, in an upper
room in this arsenal building I stated to 483 delegates of this convention
that. Governorship or no Governorship, loving the Republican party more
than I loved either office or self, without any resolution, without any
solicitation, while still remaining a candidate, and trusting to that friend-
ship and that fidelity and loyalty which is without money and without
price, I voluntarily released every Yates delegate, in advance. [Applause.]




From a photograph by Alderman Frank L. Race, Chicago.

MR. DENEEN RELEASING HIS DELEGATES.

A VIEW OF THE CONVENTION WHILE HE WAS TALKING MR. DENEEN STANDS ON A CHAIR

AT THE FARTHER END OF THE AISLE.



342 THE BREAKING OF THE DEADLOCK.

They were kind enou^ih by a unanimous rising vote to refuse to be released.
[Applause] But I say to you again, you Republicans of Illinois, who have
done me the high favor to follow me through all these ballots, I want no
misunderstanding about this matter — I am still a candidate for Governor
before this convention, but you do as you please now and I shall be
satisfied. [Applause.] Of the 485 delegates, only one-half of them were
ever instructed, and the other half have voted as long and as hard as
those that were instructed.

In conclusion, thanking you, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the
convention, for the privilege of addressing you these few moments, I ask
of my friends in this convention to vote aye on this resolution. In my
opinion, it makes no difference to a Republican delegate whether he is
hitched or unhitched. [Applause.]

Following Governor Yates' remarks. Walter Reeves again
rose to his chair, and inquired for Mr. Deneen. saying:

" I now yield five minutes to Mr. Deneen."

^Ir. Deneen, as he came forward and mounted a chair in front
of the chairman's platform, was received with applause. He
addressed the convention as follows :

j\Ir. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention : I said when I
' announced my candidacy for this office that I should make a campaign
for the party rather than for myself; and I stated at that time that whoever
was fortunate enough to receive the nomination in this convention would
receive the cordial support of every delegate who would support my
claims in the convention. I have so stated at every meeting where I
liave spoken in this State. I believe now we have arrived at a crisis in
this convention. I believe that something should be done and that it
should be done to-day. Gentlemen who favored my candidacy met this
morning and they agreed there to support this resolution — not because
they believed it to be the most satisfactory, but because they believed it
to be the most practicable at this time. 1 believe, and they believe, that
the most satisfactory solution of this problem would be for each delegation
in every county and ward and commissioners' district in this entire con-
vention to meet and determine for itself its course in reference to its own
instructions. We have not felt free to tamper with instructions for other
candidates. We do feel free to tamper with our own. and I stated this
morning to my friends that we should go in and vote for this resolution,
and that every delegate was released so far as his obligation relates to
me, and he could vote as he might choose in this convention, and I say
so now. I want to thank this body of delegates for the cordial reception
they have accorded me both in this convention and in the corridors of the
hotel, where I have met them. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr. Reeves : If General Hamlin is in this rcx)m I would be
glad to yield to him five minutes.

Mr. Hamlin addressed the convention as follows :

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention : We are here under
circumstances unparalleled in the history of the Republican party of this
State. Representatives of the party, selected as we have selected them
for years, are here in convention assembled. This convention has been in
session for many days. You are here as I am — to do the best for the
Republican party, which I love from the bottom of my heart, [.\pplause.]



PART TWO: THE CONVENTION. 343

I want harmony to prevail. We want this convention to nominate a
ticket without further delay. Republican success is more important than
any man's candidacy. A further deadlock will only embitter the situation.
I do not require the action of this convention upon this resolution.
Whether it passes or not ; whether you refuse to act upon it or not, as a
Republican, loving this great party and wanting it to continue in power in
this State and in this nation — this party that has clothed the laborer
in the robes of prosperity — that has given to this country all that it
has or can expect or hope for in the future — in order to insure harmony
of action and break the present deadlock, I release my delegates here and
now, without regard to what action the convention may take upon the
proposed resolution. [Applause.]

Gentlemen, let us remember, sitting here as you do to-day, almost
within the shadow of the tomb of the man who first led this party- — ^ sitting
here in the third State in this Union — let us nominate a ticket. Let us
do it speedily, and whoever you may select as the standard bearer let us
rall}^ around him and the ticket you make, and again sweep the State of
Illinois for the Republican party ahd its candidates. That is all I desire.
My candidacy is a mere atom compared with the continuation of the
policies of the Republican party. Rise high enough, be big enough to act
promptly and patriotically, and let us make a ticket. If I do not head it,
I will follow in the rear, as I have for a quarter of a century, fighting for
it so long as I have left the power to fight for it. [Cheers.]

Mr. Reeves : If Judge Sherman is in this room I would be
glad to yield to him five minutes.

Mr. Sherman came forward, mounted a chair and addressed
the convention as follows :

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of This Convention, and to the Candi-
dates in This Convention : If you will permit me to parapfirase holy writ,
if, Mr. Chairman, the candidates love the Republican party, then obey
its commandments. [Laughter and applause.] Those commandments
are to you delegates to nominate a Republican ticket. Why don't you do
it? [Laughter.] This is not a time for Republican precepts; but it is
a time for party action. These delegates, Mr. Chairman, and these candi-
dates are now before the bar of public opinion in Illinois. Let that judg-
ment be pronounced in November, and let that verdict in November stamp
the wisdom of our conduct here the second day of June. Therefore,
if we be Republicans, let us be governed by the logic of events in this
convention. More than two weeks ago in this armory the little band of
delegates who have honored me for these days with their support, observ-
ing the logic of the situation, anticipated the demands of this resolution
and were released from their instructions, and I was happy to go off the
map of Illinois to contribute so much to the solution of this much-vexed
problem. [Cheers.] I am perfectly willing to do so now and with the
further words, hoping that again holy writ may be confirmed and that the
last may be first, I am for this resolution at this time. [Laughter and
applause.]

The time has come, Mr. Chairman, when the loyalty of friends
demands its merger in the broader interests of the Republican party of
this State. [Applause.] For one, I do not care in this convention for
the support of a solitary friend if that support stands in the way of a
successful solution of this question. [Applause.] I here and now release
every friend I have [applause], whether the instructions are expressed
ones or implied ones — any place, in any county in Illinois; and it is
implied instructions, Mr. Chairman, that are hurting this convention as



344



THE BREAKING OF THE DEADLOCK.



much as expressed ones [applause] ; and 1 want to say to you delegates
here who have followed the fortunes of your candidates in this eventful
convention, that unless you can take not only the letter but the spirit of
this resolution, it will be unavailing. You must take the spirit of this
resolution that you absolve yourselves as friends from the support of
candidates, and then devote your energies to the task of nominating a
ticket and obeying the mandatory instructions of the Republican party,
which are a mandatory obligation upon us all. The time for paying compli-
ments has ceased, and the time for action has arrived ; and I return to
my seat in my delegation prepared to demonstrate by my deeds the sin-
cerity of my words. [Applause.]

Mr. Reeves: If Colonel Warner is in this room, I will be
glad to yield to him five minutes.

Colonel Warner, who was sitting with the DeWitt County
delegation, walked forward and mounting the same chair w^hich
liad served the other candidates — the Governor's chair at the
head of the Morgan delegation — addressed the convention as
follows :




From a photograph by Alderman Frank L. Race, Chicago.
A CONFERENCE.

snap-shot" taken just outside convention hall JUDGE HANECY STANDS ON

THE RIGHT, FACING THE WALL; MR. LORIMER, WITH HIS SNUG-FITTING CAP, IS
PARTLY visible; STATE SENATOR JOHN HUMPHREY STANDS ON THE LEFT.



PART TWO: THE CONVENTION. 345

Mr. Chairman and Delegates of This Convention : I can not under-
stand how there could be any objection to passing this resolution. It is
but declaratory of the common law, the unwritten law, the practice and
precedents of all conventions that have gone before us. The obligation
of every instruction given to the delegates of this convention has been
absolved long ago by their conduct and by their votes ; and now they are
free to act, and should be free to act, regardless of this or any other
resolution. Unless instructions are considered as absolved at some time,
a nomination can never be made, unless one of the candidates has a full
majority on the first ballot. As I understand it, the candidates are called
upon to discuss the advisability of the adoption of this resolution. I can
see no occasion for going before the jury on the question, as all the parties
to the controversy admit that it should be passed. And so it is simply
wasting time to make these speeches to you, except to offer ourselves in
evidence and, to some extent, electioneer for ourselves. [Laughter.] It
is rather a thinly disguised proceeding, but I will take my chances with
the other reputable gentlemen in this race.

We are all Republicans and wish the success of our partv, not for
the benefit of ourselves alone but for the benefit of the whole people —
not only of the State of Illinois, but of the United States and of the world ;
and we should subserve personal interests to the interests of all. I have
loved the Republican party, I have worked for it, voted for it, fought for
it, ever since I grew to manhood. [Applause.] I do not submit my claims
upon any particular event in my Hfe, but upon my conduct during the
whole of my life.

Now, we should get together and nominate a ticket, and nominate
the strongest ticket we can. The interests of the individual are nothing
as compared to the interests of the party and the people. We should
throw aside our personal preferences — we should disregard solicitations —
and consider our duty to select candidates who will carry the strongest
vote with the people of the State of Illinois. Then we should nominate
them, and pitch in and work for them with energy until the election, and
see that they carry Illinois by the old-time Republican majorit}'. [Cheers.]

Mr. Reeves : If the Hon. John H. Pierce is in the room I will
gladly yield to him five minutes.

Mr. Pierce, mounting a chair, addressed the convention as
follows :

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention : As my friend Sher-
man remarked a while ago, there are times when the last should be first,
and if that holds good it means me. [Laughter.] Gentlemen of the con-
vention [cries of "Louder, louder!"], I know more about iron than I do
about oratory. I am considerably embarrassed to be called noon as a
candidate. W'hile my name has appeared upon the list, and while I have
had a good many friends who have stood by me and voted for me under
all circumstances, and persistently, as you all must admit. I am not only
in favor of this resolution, but I am in favor of it to such an extent that I
shall not only release those gentlemen but I shall urge them to cast
their votes for any one that may be selected by this convention — not only
by the convention, if that is impossible, but by a committee, or in any
manner that will end this deadlock. As has been remarked, we, as Repub-
licans, are more interested in the result in November than we are in the
selection of any particular individual ; and whoever you may nominate,
you will find, when the ballots are counted, that western and northwestern
Illinois, as always, will be in line, and you will find that Theodore Roose-
velt, and whoever you nominate here, will have the usual Republican
majority that will be in the aggregate greater than ever before. [Applause.]



346 THE BREAKING OF THE DEADLOCK.

]\Ik. Reeves : Gentlemen, the originator of this resohition is
Mr. Parker, of Rock Island county, and I want to yield five
minutes to him.

John W. Parker, of Rock Island, was recognized, and said :

Mr. Chairman, the statements made by the chairman of the Com-
mittee on Resolutions are sufficiently comprehensive to cover in full the
attitude of our committee. With preference for none and prejudice against
none, having at heart nothing but the welfare of the Republican party,
considering the claims of the respective candidates only in the light of their
equal rights as individuals, inspired by the certainly commendable desire
to simplify and, if possible, clear up the existing situation, with the unani-
mous endorsement of the representatives on our committee of the various
candidates, we have reported it back with the recommendation that it do
pass. I do not misstate the fact, gentlemen, when I say this is the weakest
body of Republicans ever assembled in the State of Illinois, for the brave
man is he who knows how to yield and when to yield. In this I am includ-
ing myself and my own delegation, for we have been as unyielding as
any, but, speaking for them and for the Committee on Resolutions and,
I hope most earnestly, for the body of this convention, I believe the time
for action has come. No man can go down to defeat to-day — and some
must go down — without feeling as highly honored by the support he has
received as he could by anything on earth short of the nomination itself.
Speaking for the committee, I implore the convention to take advantage
of this resolution.

CHAIRMAN CANNON ADVISES A COMPROMISE.

Chairman Cannon : The Chair asks the gentleman from La-
Salle to yield to the Chair five minutes. I believe I had one vote
at one time. ' [Laughter.]

Mr. Reeves : I want to say to this convention that I take great
pleasure in yielding five, or twenty-five minutes, to the chairman
of this convention. [Applause.]

Chairman Cannon then addressed the convention as follows :

I desire the attention of the convention for five minutes. I have
presided over a body of almost four hundred men — I have been a member
of the greatest legislative body on earth for almost thirty years. In that
time no matter of legislation of importance ever has been enacted without
a compromise. The Constitution itself — the best and strongest of any
constitution, written or unwritten, on earth — was a compromise between
the Washingtons and Madisons and Jeffersons and the fathers that made
it. [Cheers.]

In all time, where considerable bodies of men control, each captain has
his partisans, and so it will ever be. We have been trying for two weeks
to make one-half, and one vote more, out of a third. Nobody but God
can do it, and He won't do it, because he never violates His universal
law. fLaughter.]

Now, then, we are in a condition where the people e.xpect this second-
best Republican State in the Union — Pennsylvania first, Illinois second —
this State, third in population, third in manufactures, first in agriculture,
the home of Lincoln and Oglesby and Douglas and Grant and Lovejoy —
where the people expect us to place Illinois as a stone in the arch of sue-



PART TWO: THE CONVENTION. 347

cess which is to be completed in its erection on the first Tuesday of Novem-
ber next. [Cheers.] It is a question, not of which, but of anj-. I can
take service, as one member of the party, under the leadership of either of
the gallant captains that are before the convention. [Cheers.] And if
we can not agree on one of them, I can take service under the leadership
and banner of any other of a hundred competent men whom you can draft
into the service if you want to. [Laughter and applause.]

One further word. As I recollect the story, when God's chosen
people went out of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, seeking the promised
land, they began to murmur. Some of them wanted to stay there. Some
wanted to go back. Some wanted to go under the lead of Aaron; some
under the lead of another captain : some under the lead of still another.
And they murmured without making any headway; and it is recorded
that the Lord spake unto Moses and said, " Tell the people to go forward."
[Laughter.] One further remark, and I am done. I am older than most
of you. I was in the Republican convention in Springfield in 1862.
Lincoln had just given notice of the Emancipation Proclamation. We
met. and men were dumb — some with surprise, and some with fear, and
some with cowardice. Over that convention presided Burton C. Cook.
In that convention was Owen Lovejoy. The Committee on Resolutions
reported. They endorsed, in cold words, the administration of Lincoln —
in cold words the administration of Yates. They did not say a word about
that splendid notice, that proclamation' of freedom, issued in order that
the Republic might live — on that the resolutions were silent. Owen
Lovejoy — in my mind's eye I can see him rising now — arose and
addressed, "Mr. Chairman." All around delegates said " Sit down ! Sit
down ! Sit down ! " " Sh — sh — sh !" came the hiss. He said, " I am
here an American citizen in a Republican convention ; I am entitled to
recognition and the freedom of speech." Burton Cook recognized him.
He did not talk to exceed five minutes, and at the end of that time it
seemed to me he spoke as never man spoke before. At the end of that
talk he offered the resolution endorsing the emancipation proclamation,
notice of which had been given by Lincoln but a few days before.

The dumb spake. The knees ceased to shake. The brethren gathered
together the " pale people " — some of them got out. But they adopted
that amendment, and then that great Republican, that great apostle of
freedom rose and said: "Now I can say with Simeon of old, 'Lord, let
thy servants depart in peace, for mine eyes have beheld thy salvation.' "
[Applause.]

So let it be declared here. We are the people that are right. The
Philistines are trying to form their lines and get after us. The dry-bones
are shaking. We have a contest before us. I want to get into it. I want
you to get into it. Nominate any of these men, but nominate some one
of them, and do it to-day. [Applause.]

Mr. Reeves then asked for a vote 011 the resolution. Chair-
man Cannon put the question of its adoption to a viva voce vote,
which was unanimous.



Chairman Cannon : Does the gentleman desire a roll-call ?

Mr. Reeves : I think not. The vote is so absolutely unanimous that
I think there can be no doubt.

Chairman Cannon : There being no vote against this resolution, the
Chair declares that the motion of the gentleman from La Salle prevails,
and that the resolution is agreed to.



348 THE BREAKING OF THE DEADLOCK.

THE BALLOTING IS RESUMED.
The chairman then directed the secretary to call the roll for
the sixty-seventh ballot. On this ballot changes were as follows :

Bond county — Yates lost two to Lowden.

Bureau county — Lowden lost one to Hamlin.

Fourth Ward (Chicago) — Deneen gained one from Lowden.

DeKalb county — Yates lost one to Warner.

Jackson county — Lowden lost one to Hamlin.