ary arrangements of battle are
strangely dissimilar to those of any preceding convention that has been
held in this country for half a century.

The magnitude of the cause that brought forth the Democracy in the days
of Jefferson, and the Republican party in the days of Lincoln, is again
attracting true patriots; the cry of a people which has long been
outraged is demanding to be heard; it has reached the ears of a faithful
few who put country above price. It is of such material that the new
party is composed.

A young and untried soldier was called by the sage of the Revolution of
1776 to take command of the Continental army. What is to prevent a
repetition of our history, now that another crisis has to be faced? Of
the committee there are few who do not feel assured that Trueman will be
capable of fulfilling the duties of the office to which they seek to
elevate him; they are not certain, however, that they can secure the
nomination for him.

Trueman is hopeful; yet he cannot drive from his mind the rumors of
disloyalty that are constantly brought to him.

In the minds of the Plutocrats it seems utterly impossible for Trueman
to even obtain the vice-presidential nomination. It never occurs to them
to regard him as a probable candidate for the higher office. Nevins,
alone of all men, is confident of the result of the morrow.




CHAPTER XV.

CHOOSING A LEADER.


Chicago, the city of immeasurable possibilities, the twice risen
Phoenix, scene of the fairyland of 1893, when the wonders of the world
were assembled for the fleeting admiration of man, is the arena in which
a battle is to be waged that shall be remembered when the other events
that add to the fame of the municipality shall have passed into
oblivion.

To the citizens of Chicago a convention has come to be regarded as an
every-day occurrence. If it is not a convention of one of the great
parties, then some lesser body is in session; always some band of
delegates is reported as either arriving in or departing f