Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-09-04
Chase in the Tnmmauy Convention.



Horati5 Seymour ras for him, and had a
speech a. his Jaror ~ his pocket
, SPEECH Br col. WILLIAM BROWN, or NIcHoI-
AsvILLE, At THE COURT HOUSE. FRANKFORT.
Ky, AUs. 20
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN IL purpose
to- give Won to-uis,t some of the secret history
of what has been commonly called the " Chase
movement
| respect Mr.. Chase for his patriotism and the
eminent service he has rendered our country. l
have 40 excuses to make TO any mortal man for
such assistance rs gave him, and my only re
gret is that it WAS not in my power TO make him
the next President Of the United States. On the
let Of July / offered my resignation as Elector
and committeeman 10 the State Committee, that
| might be at liberty to aid Mr.. Chase
| was ia his confidence from first to last, and
am thoroughly acquainted with all the history Of
the events THAT attended the effort TO make him
the nominee of the New York Convention
As soon as the bllloting commenced, it became
evident that the progrcssionists would ultimately
win, if their men stood firm. They held the
balance of power, and, by ju1icous system Of
tactics, pre-, ented the nomination Of any one up
to wednesday night, anf, taking advantage Of
inc detection Nl MI. lltitiltkS lIltllfA1 ~ WI
Peudleion, the former was very effectively killed
of, the progressionsts using Gen. Hancock :
name for that purpose on Wednesday, July s.
Gen Hancock never did, at any time, have the
slightest chance for nomination, and his
strongest vote was given for strategic reasons,
by men whose first choice was an entirely differ
ent man Mr.. Hendricks was the only man Mr..
Chase's friends ever feared A.; and, when the
Convention adjourned, on Wednesday evening,
those who were in the secret Of the vote given
for Gen. Hancock considered the victory as won,
and had no doubt Of Mr. Chase's nomination the
next day.
The progressionists met in council that night.
Ii was arranged who should nominate Mr. Chase,
who should second it. what States were to vote
for him on the first ballot, and what should be
said on the occasion of bringing his name for
mally before the Convention. 4 most formid-
able strength was developed, and every circum-
sta ice was auspcious for success. But it was
considered best to have a ballot or two next
morning, before the nomination was made, so as
to kill off the apparent strength Of Gen. Ham
cock, and satisfy his friends that there was no
hope for him. 1t was known that the vote he re-
ceived from this State would be withdrawn the
next morning, as well as the scattering vote from
several other States. New jersey and Massa-
chusetts were unanimously for Mr. Chase
Not desiring to offend such friends as Gen.
Hancock had in the Convention, or to make too
manifest the reason Of the vote Massachusetts,
had given him that day, it was arranged that
the vote of New jersey only should be withdrawn
on the first ballot, and cast where it would not
count; and this was done. There are reasons to
believe that the deliberations Of this meeting
were betrayed to the reactionists. Every thing
at this stage Of the proceedings depended on the
frmness Of the New York delegation. From the
ih to the 9th Of July this delegation had pro-
fessed to be for .uT. Chase, and that it only
waited favorable moment to bring forward bis
name.