troversy that easily invokes serious estrangements or concludes in disruption.

Col.

Among the men from Iowa in the Convention of 1860, were a number who possessed rare powers of discernment and achievement. They were masters in political tactics and strategy; men who shortly thereafter attained great eminence in public life and just fame. They severally had their preferences but the triumph of anti-slavery principles and success of the party at the polls were the predominant considerations with them. Mr. John A. Kasson preferred Edward Bates of Missouri and Mr. Wm. B. Allison's choice was Salmon P. Chase; but after they realized the futility of their hopes both threw their votes and influence in favor of Lincoln. Alvin Saunders at heart would have rejoiced if Seward could have been made the candidate but an extended correspondence prior to going to Chicago with leaders in Illinois, Indi ana and Pennsylvania convinced him that the nomination of the New Yorker put success in jeopardy. Consequently notwithstanding his attachment to Senator Harlan, who earnestly desired Seward's selection, Colonel Saunders went to Chicago and did yeomen service for the Illinoisan. Governor Kirkwood, at bottom prejudiced in favor of Chase because of early associations as Democrats in Ohio, frankly wrote Iowa's senior Senator that if long and able service were decisive Mr. Seward was entitled to the nomination, especially because he had long been the "best abused man" in the party. Nevertheless he concluded that other matters had the right of way. Saunders and Kirkwood were perhaps Iowa's leaders in promoting Lincoln's candidacy: One or the other probably taking part in the "Committee of Twelve" whose decision doubtless exercised a potent if not decisive influence upon the final result.1

A fact of the greatest significance in the conduct of all the Iowans in the Convention was their staunch stand and sturdy fight in the presence of overwhelming odds. Two of the Chase delegates, all of the Seward delegates stood fast throughout the three ballots. All of the others apparently decided to go

1 Matters referred to above will be dealt with at length in a later section.

to Lincoln, when his chances were not favorable, when Horace Greeley had telegraphed The Tribune that the opposition to Seward could not unite and conceded the latter's nomination. If Iowa's contingent had been petty traders and hucksters, or politicians of the weather-vane sort, they certainly would not have aligned themselves with the "Rail-Splitter" and his uncertain prospects. They would have joined the supporters of Seward the "popular" man, the man whose forces were led by the wizard Weed, the man for whom Col. A. K. McClure says "two-thirds" of the delegates really wanted to vote.

(To be continued.)

FAST TRAVELING A gentleman of this place arrived yesterday morning on the Rolla having come up from New Orleans in ten days, less seven hours, including twenty-seven hours spent in St. Louis. This is the quickest trip ever made on the Mississippi.-Iowa News (Dubuque), June 9, 1838.

A HARD CASE-I am about to quit business in Dy Buque. I have been in it over two years and have not made "Salt to my Porridge." To those of my friends who have been indebted to me since I started, I would say, that I know it is monstrous hard that I should ask them to pay me so soon, but the fact is, I want money and must have it, as neither my creditors nor myself can live on barnicles and bottles of smoke.-Geo. L. Nightingale.-Iowa News (Dubuque), March 17, 1838.

DAVID RORER.

BY EDWARD H. STILES.

The subject of this sketch I knew intimately. He used frequently to visit the Ottumwa Bar. I met him frequently elsewhere the last time at his own house and fireside. I partici pated in the last case in which he personally appeared in the Supreme Court of Iowa. It was that of Wapello County vs. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and is reported in 44 Iowa, 585. He was the general counsel of and represented the railroad company. I had for many years been its local counsel at Ottumwa, but this case was the heritage of ancient litigation growing out of stock subscriptions by the county, and owing to circumstances not necessary to explain, I represented the county. The case was a leading one and the questions involved difficult of solution. The judges were divided, and the opinion was carried by a bare majority. Of the lawyers who had participated in the trial below, he and myself were the only ones present. We both made oral arguments. He was then seventy years of age but his strong and well-sustained effort evinced no infirmities. His mental forces were unabated.

Taken all in all he was one of the most remarkable men I have ever known, and decidedly the most unique. He had been the compeer of all the distinguished men of the Territory and State and stood shoulder to shoulder with them. For politics he had neither taste nor adaptation. He was peculiar in appearance and manner. He was short in stature, with short arms and limbs, heavy set, well-rounded, very erect, and strongly built. His whole demeanor denoted great intensity of thought and action. His voice, naturally deep and sonorous, was capable of ascending and descending the gamut of sound quickly. His eyes, large, lustrous and keenly expressive, fairly scintillated when his action was excited. Though his figure, as indicated, was a little grotesque, his face and features were interesting and attractive, and his whole bearing indicated at once that he was a person of distinguished traits. His action