[
31]
illustrious as one of the wonders of the growth of our Republic.
All of the Free-labor States were fully represented, and there were delegates from several of the Slave-labor States.
An immense building of boards, called a
Wigwam, had been erected by the Republicans of Chicago, at an expense of seven thousand dollars, for the special use of the Convention.
It was tastefully decorated within, and was spacious enough to hold ten thousand persons.
A rustic seat, made of a huge knot of a tree, was prepared for the use of the President of the Convention; and everything about the affair was rough and
 |
|
President's chair. |
rural in appearance.
The Convention met in the Wigwam, on the 16th day of May.
Not more than one-third of the vast gathering of people could enter the building.
E. D. Morgan, of New York,
Chairman of the National Republican Executive Committee, called the
Convention to order, and
David Wilmot, of
Pennsylvania, was chosen temporary chairman.
In due time,
George Ashmun, of
Massachusetts, was chosen permanent
President.
It was a wise choice.
His voice could be heard above any clamor that might be raised in the assembly, and he was remarkable for coolness, clearness of judgment, and executive ability.
He was presented with a gavel made of a piece of the oak timber of
Perry's flag-ship,
Lawrence; and with this emblem of authority, inscribed with the words, “
Don't give up the ship!”
he called the
Convention to order, and invited the delegates to business.
A committee on resolutions, composed of one delegate from each State represented, was appointed, and on the following morning
it submitted to the
Convention a platform of principles, in the form of seventeen resolutions.
After affirming that the maintenance of the principles promulgated in the Declaration of Independence, and embodied in the National Constitution, is essential to the preservation of our republican institutions; congratulating the country that no Republican member of Congress had uttered or countenanced any threats of disunion, “so often made by Democratic members without rebuke, and with applause from their political associates,” and denouncing such threats as “an avowal of contemplated treason,” the
