New-York tribune., 1878-07-05
LINCOLN's SECOND TERM.
LETTER FROM THURLoW WEED.

u.
CABINET.
To the Edjtor Of The TrfbHRs.
SIP: In a recently published interview Of re-
porter with ex-senator Cameron, giving what seems
10 have been carefully prepared history oi that
veteran satesman's life, was not little surprised
ty the following statement: I'm 1868, when the
talk of Mr. Lincoln's denomination began, he was
ofcourse, exceedingly disturbed at what he called
the bo,tiIity of Chase and Weed. referring, OF
course, to Mr. rhurlow Weed, Of New-iork he-
gording the position of those gentlemen, he said TO
me one day: Cameron | don't like the idea of
having Chase and Weed against me. I'm AFRAID
can't be nominated, il they continue to oppose
me-"
lam quite unable to account for this strange ac-
cusation. cannot attribute it to any intentional
Injustice OF unkindness, for my relations with Mr.
Cameron during nearly fifty years have been ami
cable. II is impossible. however that Mr.. Lincoln
should have ever used my name in that connection.
From the day visited him at Springfield, on my
return home from the Convention 10y which he was
nominated at Chicago in 1850, my relations
with Mr. Lincoln were marked by mutual aud unln-
terrupted confidence and friendship.
The first ntimation or sign ever given by Mr..
Lincoln relating TO his denomination for President
was 70 his cherished friend, Leonard SWEET, ana
myself While sitting with him one evening at the
White House, Mr. SWEET said: Lincoln, do you
know that the people begin to talk about your re-
nomination for Prcsidcnti" Mr.. Lincoln turned III
his seat and after looking n few moments at Mr..
SWEET replied: "Swett, do yOg know, that that
bee has been buzzIng in my bonnet for several
davsir Some conversation followed on the subject,
which with other "reminiscences of the late Presi-
dent, Mr.. SWEET will am assured, give 10 the pub
lie. There were spasmOdic efforts during the year
1868 to bring ont Mr.. Chase as candidate against
Mr.. Lincoln Subsequently, disaiicctcd RcpubII-
cans called for a Convention at Cleveland y nomi-
nate General Fremont 10 both Of those move
ments was uneauvocaly opposed rs will be seen
by the following extracts from an editorial article
in The AIbony ErniHg journal Of May p, 1864:
Leading Republican journals, opposed to the renomi-
nation Of Preside nt Lincoln seek 10 distract aud demor-
aiizc the state Convention which meets tomorrow, bv
urging the admission ot soI-ppoiniea hIcgaIes h'adS
of factions which nave figured ana fallen during me cur
lowers of Governor Chase and The supporters
of General Fremont, keeping alo"i from the regular
district Republican Conventions, called primary meet
ings. but found Themselves without rank aud lie. In
claim themselves delegates, ana IN none were ttTe
these irregular proceeding Nor in III" whole city we're
there electors enough ~ attendance t. make rpeCa
.i . ' a., ti. SCI. ,'dIye,fi,n rms ,uischi.,,r.
condition of Biugs rrsus from The circumstance that
member OF Mr. Lincoln, Cabinet, who holds the patron
oi The Treasury Department and dlspenscs II uu-
scgapulously, 1, Presidential hspirnL
The Republican State Convention appointed dele
gates TO the National Convention known 10 be IN
favor Of Mr. Lucoln'5 denomination for President.
The late John A. King and the late Henry j. Ray
mond were Observation-Disclosures. Several Radicals
known to be friends OF Mr.. Chase were delegates to
the State Convention, bat the sentiment IN favor Of
Mr. Lincoln was 80 strong that they made 10 open
opposition toit. The Republican National Conyen-
ton met NJ Baltimore on tine Sth of June. OF IL re
suits The .1lJasy Errriag JOHHdl said:
The Convention hai a plain path before it. and u
followed . The country Win thank u for having done
80 Wisely and di'ci Guy. ana coi,lHlt i.lay II,
The man and the creed tho Convention virtually
unit ON the subject Of the tcno"m4uon "i ~ Lincoln
mons nomination OF Mr. Lincoln was received with dem-
ou.tratous ~ joy enthusiasm rarcy u eyur before
witnessed Abraham liucola enjoys large pace M the
rubc affection III. sngl,nrss Of purpose his -cistc
rhciHg devotion 90 ms country bs patience" bis earn
cstres, his serenity of temp when nothing cln AZ
urb his hopciuiucs, when utaeIs doubt ms confidence
wncn other- despair his reliant tri 10 God' h, pure
ndcarcI HIM 70 jhc hearts Of thc rnsse- he s their
choice and tIcir candidate. ana they viii iruuphsuiy
There are other and scarcely loss remarkable in
accuraccs i'm General Camcron'- autobiography.
Tor example he says that afior MF Lincoln reached
Washington, hc was offered che Attorncy-Gencral-
shin. This prcsupposos that the President was ig-
rorant Of the fact tLat General Cameron was not
lawyer or the still pro,scr Ignorance of supposing
that an Attorney General need not DE lawyer Mr.
Lincoln selected his Cabinet at Springfield, full two
months before his Inauguration. Three confidential
friends were invited 90 participate In the important
and delicate dischafge Of that duty. Those friends
were David Davis, now Senator from Illinois
Leonard Swctt, now an eminent member of the Chi
caqo bar aud myself. Two days ard half were
pleasantly occupied in discussing the relative
claims aud merits of statesmen suggested foI places
in the Cabinet. Mr. Lincoln disposed Of the two
first seats in his Cabinet by ayowmg his intention
Of offering the State Department to blr. Seward and
the Treasury Department to Mr.. Chase giving as
his reasons that they were well qualified to dis
charge tho duties usefully, aud that thoy had been
his strongest com )ctitors in iLe National Conycn-
ton. A. hope 10 give at another time a detailed
account Of what Mr.. Lincoln playfnlly called cab
inet-naking" | will now only briefly refer 10 it.
During the consultation tho claims of Pennsylvania
and the willingness Of General Cameron 10 accept
the Treasury Department were frequently spoken
Of, but il finally settled that tho War Depart
men' should be offered 10 him. Mr. Bates OF Mis-
souri, by the hearty approval OF all, was designated
for Attorney-Goncral. The Interior Department;
was assigned with general approval TO Caleb i.
smith, of Indiana. To Gideon Wciles, Secretary Of
the Navy, and Mont tgomery Blair, as Postmaster
General, / objected earnestly. Instead of Mr..
Wclles suggested Truman Smith of Connecticut,
George Ashmun, Of Massachusetts, and one
or two other New-Engand statesmen. Mr.. Lin
coin finally stated that the appointment Of MIR.
Wcllcs had been warmly recommended by Vice
President Hamlin, whose wishes he was unwilling
TO disregard. | suggested Mr.. Gilmer a
member of Congress from North Carolina,
for Postmaster-Gcneral. That suggestion was
so well thought of that ! was authorized
to sec Mr. Gilmcr, who WAS much gratlfed
with Mr.. Lncolu's confidence in him, and though
inclined TO accept, thought it best, under existing
circumstances 20 consult his colleagues. The North
4 - l. L..