The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-24

body Of Conservatives-pa particularly. ob1ec'
tionablc to no section, to no party within
tbe party. Prominently conservative. wise,
prldent, and able, his nomination would
add additional lustre to the grand ticket
presented to the people for their suhrases.
Senator Morton. .aa...$ %.
SOME INCIDENTS IN HIS CAREER WHICH HIS
BIoGRAPHERs HAVE oEJTTED-HOW He
DIDN'T, GET NOMINATED ,F0R vICE-PREsi-
DENT IN, 1864, AND WHAT LINCOLN THOUGHT
OF HIM.ui9 >rJ.f-.a-. ae- y.' ~.
nj Washington correspondent OF the
Springfield Republican tells IN interesting
story about Senator Morton, commenclsS
with the latter's election Us Lleutenant-
Governor of Indiana tn 1858, when Colonel
Lane was elected Governor. The election
of Governor Lane to the United State Sem
ate made Morton acting Governor. The
war followed, and gave him the grand OPP
Dortunitv of his life, which he Immediately
nut to use for his seli-aggrandizcment.
The thrce-montbS troops were called out,
and the six regiments furnished by In
diana were brlgadcd under General +.
A. Morris, who won the first West
Virginia campaign, but for which Nc
Cleilan cot the credit, and OH the
strength OF which lie obtained command
of the army of the Potomac. Morton
had made use OF Morris's military knowl-
edge in organizing and equippinS the first
quota Of troops from Indiana; and when
the latter displayed some. military ability,
and was likely to shed lustrc on bis name
and his State, Morton become furiously jea-
lous, ant made Morris's position as unplea.
SAINT to him as all the means at his command
would allow. Morris became disgusteu and
retired from the service, while Morton
sought major generals commission for
himself So confident was he OF receiving
it that he purchased 4 uniform betting the
rank, and would have worn it but for the
remonstrance OF some prudent friends. MIR.
Lincoln pretty plainly intimated to Morton
that he could serve his country better as
Governor OF Indiana than as major-genc-
raj in the army. The retirement Of General
Morris did not lose him the confidence OF
President Lincoln. ...... -. ....... ... -'.s.
At smother time Governor Morton pro-
posed to Mr.. Lincoln 10 be made Assistant
Secretary OF War, to have particularly the
charge Of the Northwestern States in the or
canization and equipment of troops and the
forwarding OF supplies. To this Mr.. Lin
coin made one OF his characteristic answers
that he "didn't believe this country needed
two Presidents" The motive Of the man
was manifest, and was at once unnlasked by
the discerning mind Of Mr.. Lincoln. and
what here relate. and which will be found
in none of the biographies OF this scheming
politician. proves fully the correctness OF
the conclusion drawn that he wanted to sue
coed Mr.. Hamlin as Eice-President. The
positiou OF Assistant Secretary Of War for
the Northwest would have given him con-
troll of all the State conventions and secured
n sufficient delegation 10 have nominated
him as against Mr.. Hamlin, who was not ia
Yorably regarded. His ambition might have
assembled and aspired to Mr.. Lincoln.s
placc-making use OF the discomfort which
existed very generally at tardineSs in sup
pressing the rebellion. ILL.,, -.
Failing TO effect division in the respon-
sibilties and duties of the War Office, Mr..
Morton determined to 60 into the Republi-
can National Convention with the endorse
ment OF his own State, if OF no other. for
the position OF Vice-President. The State
Convention was to be held in February,
1864, and, although he was 4 candidate for
Governor. he wanted to make an early start
as Il candidate tor Nice-PreSident also. The
gubernatorial candidacy could be easily
relinquished if the other nomination was
secured. 1t was the first State Con-
vcntion called that year, and il he
could be endorsed at home it would be
an easy matter to get help in other States.
Accordingly, he. arranged all the machinery
OF the Convention, a. he thought, to secure
success. The platform was prepared, and
with it was resolution naming him rs the
choice Of the State for Nice-President, after
having first received the nomination Tor
ra,D1,,fianp nfnI.pi RI
be referred without reading, so that all
resolutions reported would be OF acceptable
wording. He felt safe, and his feeling OF
entire security caused. bis plans to fail.
There were some in the Convention who
were not disposed, even at that early period,
to "bow the knee at all times to this
political Baal. Among these was the
gentleman who it was agreed previous to
assembling should act rs temporary chair
man. On taking the chair he recognized as
entitled to the floor a delegate who offered
two reSolutionS-one expressing unbound
cd confidence in the patriotism and ability
OF President Lincoln, and pledglnS the sup
port of Indiana to his Administration and
reelection, and the other naming Andrew
johnson as the first choice OF the State for
Vice-President. The resolutions were
adopted with hearty and prolonged cheers.
Morton and his men were astonished
and COMPOUNDED. The Convention had
not been fully organized, and all
resolutions offered could not be referred
to the Committee on Resolutions without
reading, for that committee was not yet in
existence, and the Convention had not only
heard two resolutions, but had adopted them
with thunderous applause, and could not
be expected to undo that part Of its work
under a permanent presiding officer. They
were beaten, but accepted their defeat with
the best grace possible, hoping to have
I" things set up" better next time.
may as we'll add here that this action Of
the Convention was largely due to the fore
sight and management OF Mr.. Lincoln.