NEAR SOUTH SIDE — History has a way of repeating itself.
At times, we need only to look to our past to get a sense for the future.
Looking back 100 years ago, when the Republican National Convention was held in Chicago, the presidential election of 1916 was quite different from today's in some ways— particularly in that women weren't yet allowed to vote and, this week, Hillary Clinton was the first woman to be nominated as her party's presidential candidate.
But in other ways, there are similarities and parallels, including a party divided over conservatism and neutrality, and a Republican Political gathering nearly shut down by protesters.
A Divided Party
A major aspect of the 1916 election was the Republican race and the need to reunite its party. The previous election in 1912 explains why: Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, decided to split from the GOP to form the Progressive Party after the GOP nominated William Howard Taft.
Fracturing the GOP, the opposing Republican groups ran against each other as well as Democrats in 1912. That year, Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson won the White House.
In the 2016 presidential election, an increasing number of prominent Republican figures have spoken out against party nominee Donald Trump — decrying rhetoric and policies offered up by the candidate — similarly causing a sharp divide.
The split has leveraged third-party candidates like former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, a Libertarian, and Green Party nominee Jill Stein, potentially siphoning voters on both major political sides.
The theme of healing a bitterly divided Republican party was strong the next election cycle in 1916, and the party, as it had in 1912, held its national convention at the Chicago Coliseum on the Near South Side.
Chicago's 1916 Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention was held in Chicago June 7-10, 1916.
The Tribune reported that on June 9, hundreds of ticket holders to the event — some who had paid upwards of $250 — were barred from entering the coliseum, including delegates and "newspaper men hopheavy with credentials."
According to the paper, while hundreds were left outside without explanation, some people holding mysterious cards were able to get inside, and rumors swirled that those with clout were sneaking in friends.
But inside the coliseum, there was confusion and chaos.
According to the Tribune, more than 3,000 extra attendees than what was allowed had made their way inside, many lacking tickets or credentials and occupying seats already spoken for.
Many were there to protest, the paper reported.
Police put some of the blame on a black doorkeeper who they accused of taking bribes in exchange for entrance, and the man was swiftly fired.
As the day wore on, most of the ticket holders outside were eventually let in.
In some ways the story is similar to the chaotic Trump gathering in Chicago earlier this year, but canceled due to protestors outside. Trump is also a nominee notorious for throwing out rally attendees who favor other candidates or political beliefs, as well as journalists.
In the midst of the confusion and Trump's abrupt canceling, protesters demonstrating outside eventually clashed with attendees leaving the event, resulting in fights with police and each other.
Thinking Of The Future
On the final day of the RNC in 1916, New Mexico Sen. Albert Fall gave a 39-minute impassioned pro-Roosevelt speech calling for the U.S. to remain a neutral country and reminded attendees to be a good neighbor to Mexico, which was going through a revolution.
The world would be watching, Fall said.
"Mexico, torn by political strife, prostrate and bleeding, has made her plea to you ... starving mothers in Mexico who will hear the promise which you have made will put their hope in one American, and one alone, and that is Theodore Roosevelt," Fall said.
By that time, Roosevelt was no longer running for president, but the mention of his name at the coliseum drew massive applause and shouts, the paper reported, much to the ire of delegates and actual candidates.
On Tuesday, supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders disrupted the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, shouting over comedian Sarah Silverman and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) with pro-Sanders chants.
Mexico and its relationship with the U.S. is still an issue in 2016.
The topic has been controversial largely due to Trump's remarks characterizing Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals and his vow to construct a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, funded by Mexico itself.
As Americans and lawmakers again continue to grapple with national and foreign policy in the midst of a presidential election, we can look back to see the ways in which we've grown — or not — as a country.
"Fellow citizens, in your foreign affairs one act of omission or of commission may change the history of this country forever, and may affect the destinies of one hundred millions of people," Fall said in 1916.
