OREGON'S NOMINATION OF LINCOLN 207
When Ohio gave Lincoln the final votes that made the ma- jority of the convention, there was a moment's pause, "like the sudden and breathless stillness that precedes a hurricane," says Holland's The Life of Abraham Lincoln" (chap. xv.). Then:
"The storm of wild, uncontrollable and almost insane en- thusiasm descended. The scene surpassed description. During all the ballotings, a man had been standing upon the roof, com- municating the results to the outsiders, who, in surging masses, far outnumbered those who were packed into the Wigwam. To this man one of the secretaries shouted : Tire the salute ! Abe Lincoln is nominated !' Then as the cheering inside died away, the roar began on the outside, and swelled up from the excited masses like the noise of many waters. This the insiders heard, and to it they replied. Thus deep called to deep with such a frenzy of sympathetic enthusiasm that even the thundering salute of cannon was unheard by many upon the platform."
Further light is thrown on Oregon's and Greeley's participa- tion in the National convention, by a letter of Frank Johnson, printed in the Oregon City Argus, July 14, 1860. The letter was dated at Hamilton, New York, June 1. It said in part:
"The first hearty outburst of enthusiasm was on the an- nouncement of Horace Greeley as member of the committee on platform and resolutions, from Oregon. It was received with universal applause, and cries of 'When did you move?' from those near him."
Speaking of the report of the committee on resolutions, the letter continued :
"The result is the most perfect and unequivocal statement of Republican faith ever written, the wisest and most diplomatic points of which I think I am safe in saying Oregon had the honor to contribute. Each section of the report was received with hearty applause by the house as it was read.
"During the third ballot there was tolerable order, until Ore- gon declared for Lincoln, rendering his nomination certain. At this point the enthusiasm became irrepressible; the Wigwam was shaken with cheers from twenty-three thousand Republi- cans, which were renewed as State after State declared its unan- imous vote for 'the man who could split rails and maul Demo- crats.' The cheering was redoubled when a rather premature salute announced his nomination, and several distinguished men
