Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-22
LINCOLN AND WEED.

LINCOLN AND WEED.
Tho inside History Of Ltnool,,'s Honstna-
t.on-His Subsequent Relations With
Th4ri0tu Weed.
Hon. Leonard SWEET, of Chicago, who was
one of Mr.. Lincoln's most intimate personal /
friends, writes as follows to the Chicago
Tribuaei
arrived at Chicago on Monday before the
Friday of Mr.. Lincoln's nomination.
SENATOR DAVIS
had been upon the ground since the Satur-
day morning previous He was the judge !
before whom I had constantly practiced
since my admission to the bar, and was
many years my senior. Through his efforts |
Indiana had been induced to join Illinois in
presenting the name of Mr.. Lincoln.
"If you will put yourself at my disposal
day and night" he said to me, 81 believe
Lincoln can g nominated" This awakened
the first real hope ever had of that result.
l assented to his proposition, and immediate
~ the service was begun. So little had Mr..
Lincoln friends expected success, that the
Illinois delegation had not even any head
quarters previously engaged. The hotels
were, of course, full, and the place it did oc-
cupy was obtained by inducing private
families to give up their rooms for this pur-
pose.
Of course, the first question was whether
or not Mr.. Weed, who was confessedly in
the leadership of the Seward movement,
could carry off the nomination by main
strength and OH the first ballot. If it should
prove that he could not, then our hopes at
tached, for we believed Mr.. Lincoln could
Concentrate the forces, as against Chase,
Cameron, or Bates. The efforts of his
friends, therefore, were directed to getting
for MIR. Lincoln the strength of these men
| after their personal hopes should be
| abandoned.
Everybody who knows politicians knows
that what they worship is the god of success.
The friends of Mr.. Lincoln knew this, and
saw their chance IN securing, upon the fail
| ure of Mr.. Seward affirmatively t. carry the
convention, great demonstration of
strength as between Mr.. Lincoln and the
other candidates.
THIS CHANCE Lay IN PENNSYLVANIA,
which had, as l remember, fifty-four votes.
| The Seward men were laboring with the
delegates from that State, and so were the
friends of Mr.. Lincoln, and both we're hope
full; but in the small hours of Friday morn
ing, in room in the Trement House, two
of Mr.. Lincoln's friends and two of Mr..
Cameron's being present. our arguments pre-
JAILED, and the Cameron men agreed to come
to us upon the second ballot. They did so
right nobly, and gave us forty-eight votes.
This, with other accesslons, was blow in the
centre which disorganized the forces of the
great opponent and revealed the coming
man, and, the thousands of the Wigwam
catching the inspiration, he was Immediately
nominated.
70 the Cameron men the friends of Mr..
Lincoln and tho nation sLould be grateful;
but, as between Mr.. Stewards friends and
MS, it may we'll be doubted whether the re-
suit effected little else than sowing seeds OF
mutual jealousy and distrust.
After the joy of the occasion had sub
sided, and the convention adjourned, Mr.
Humphreys, who was member of the New
York delegation, and who had formerly liveC
IN Bloomington, ILL.,, came to me and sale
Mr.. Weed was feeling badly at the result
and some of us ought to call upon him.
asked him to go and introduce us, but, be
cause as l remember, he did not know him
personally, he declined, and Judge Davis
and I went alone. He was at the Richmont
House, accompanied by that daughter who
has given to him her life. This was the frs
time either of US had met him, and shall
always remember the interview.
Mr.. Weed did not talk angrily as to tn,
result, or complain of any one. / remem
Der
THE SIJBSTANCE OF HTS WORTH
as, with much feeling and confessing tina
to be the great disappointment of his life
he said: 81 hoped to make my friend, Mr.
Seward, President, and I thought l coult
serve my country in SO DOING
He was a larger man Intellectually than
Anticipated, and of finer fibre. There wa
in him an element of gentleness and larg
humanity which won me, and was pleased
no less than surprised.
We urged upon him the propriety of max
turned. He was going for some purpose t.
Iowa, and we finally arranged that he snoul
telegraph US at Bloomington what day b
3 could be in Springfield upon his return, a
we had offered, if he would do SO. to NEE
him there and introduce him.
We did meet him according to his dis
patch, and were present at the interview
which was of a general character, upon tn
, prospects of the campaign and the condition
: of the country.
Mr.. Weeds account Of the interview il
reference to the formation of the Cabinet
correct, except he overestimates in regard t
it the Importance of Judge Davis and mysel1
, [ also indorse all he says of his subsequen
relations with Mr.. Lincoln.
About month after the election, in con
l versation with MIR. Lincoln,
THE PROPERTY OF CONSULTING NIB. WEED
upon the formation of his Cabinet and til
general condition Of the country, which ha
begun to assume a threatening aspect, wa
under discussion. In conclusion, he aske
me to write letter to Mr.. Weed, saying tina
he would like to see HIM, and asking him
8 come to Springfield for that purpose. di
3 so, and in few days he came to Blooming
:. ton, and Judge Davis and myself went t
Springfield with him. Mr.. Seward had a
ready been selected, although, perhaps, n
. one knew it, and at the opening of the intel
view Mr.. Lincoln announced that fact. 4
to the rest of the Cabinet, it was an ope
: question, although some names had bee
! fixed upon, unless substantial objection
. should arise, and others were being favor
ably considered.
Judge Davis and myself we're present b
courtesy; but the substance of the intervie
was between Mr.. Lincoln AID Mr.. Weed, an
the object was to obtain his opinions upo
all the material questions connected with til
opening of the administration. The intel
a views were protracted through several day
r and every possible subject discussed.
@ Camarnn Of hein