Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/143

 and an experienced politician, opened the meeting with a polished address, but most injudiciously made some remarks which seemed to reflect upon his principal competitor and gave great offense to the supporters of Mr. Sells, who was not a public speaker, and who did not address the meeting. Colonel Stone saw the mistake and was not slow to profit by it. When called out, he walked up to the platform in his blue uniform, with his wounded arm in a sling. The war feeling was high at this time, with Grant’s army covered with the glory of that wonderful campaign, in which he had outgeneraled and prevented the junction of the armies of Johnston and Pemberton, beaten both in a series of brilliant engagements, and was now tightening the coils around the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg. Iowa regiments and officers had won fame in Grant’s army and every Republican was wrought to the highest tension, waiting for the news of the fall of Vicksburg. As Stone paused a moment on the platform, the representative of “our boys in blue” with Grant, he must have realized that the opportunity of a life time was before him. He was equal to the occasion. Always an eloquent stump speaker, he now seemed inspired by the surroundings, and without alluding to the impending political contest on the morrow, he brought a message from the army before Vicksburg. Paying an eloquent tribute to the Iowa soldiers and their glorious deeds on the battle-field, he continued in glowing terms to eulogize the National and State Administrations under Republican rule, the superb loyalty of the people, their sacrifices and devotion to their country during the long and bloody war. Seizing the auspicious moment he made the speech that stampeded the convention the next day and made him Governor.

When the convention assembled in the morning and the balloting began, it looked as though Warren would be nominated. When Sell’s supporters realized that the battle was lost, they turned their votes for Stone, who had developed unexpected strength after his speech the evening