The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-07-21
WEEDS STORY,
0r How the Democrats were
Outwitted in 90.

Grant Secured to the Rspuo-
lican Party Instead OF
tho Democracy.
Charles NJ, Kurtz in the Continent.
Now that Thurlew Weed is gone,
many stories are told in 1liustral!on
of his great political sagaclty, SOME
Of which will cause surprise to those
who have been familiar with polill-
cal facts without having known
great deal of the causes Whlcn
Rroncht them about. Such q story,
the author being solely responsloie
for the verify of the statements-We
give herewith:
From the time when Taurlow
Weed first took an active part in 20
Utica; atfairs-as far back a. 1874
until shortly before his death, a little
while ago, he was personally ~; I'LL
cerned in most Of the great poiit'cal
movements of the country; ana II
his party, especially in New 1o1k
State, his was 0ftenest the NINA mat
MANNED, and his the hand that 0.d
the most effective execution. He
had a wonderful knowledge of man
kind, and was possessed of q most
remarkable memory. His discern
ment of character was quick ana
keen: e measured men as he meas
ured words.
The early life of the man was such
as was calculated to develop in him
the characteristics which later en-
abled him to stand above his fellow
mex. In his youth he was the sport
of adverse circumstances. and only
bv the most strenuous, unremitting
exertions was he able to rise above
them. But he had the nina 10 rise'
and when he had risen he was the
stronger for having struggled. He
began life az a cabin boy on q river
boat. and while still q mere lad he
left that occupation to enter a print
ing office. In course of time he became
an editor; then entered politics, and
soon became a recognized leader. he
was one of the founders OF the old
Wings, and afterward, for many
wears. was one of the mainstays OF
the present Republican party: Presl-
dents, senators, governorsland many
lesser officials have found their way
to office through him, and more than
one presid initial cabinet was formed
according to his suggestion. He
sought no official position for him
self. but gloried in being the power
behind the throne. His advice was
sought after by men in the highest
official POSITIONS. He gave II WILL
insly, and often have his suggestions
almost completely changed the P.o-
lit;cal Kaleidoscope. 1t would be
foolish to assert that Thurlow Weed
made no mistakes in his time; de did
make mistakes; his judgment was
not by any means infallible; yet, as
t.e world goes, he was wise, far
sighted, prudent, far hey ond the av-
eraye of mankind. The following
story he told the writer about three
weeks before he died, aud it is given
almost in his own words:
During the summer of 1866, both
of the political parties were already
casting about rather anxiousty for a
suitable presidential candidate for
the next campaign. The Democrats
were very much in earnest that year,
and had pretty strong hope of being
able to elect their next candidate,
since the Johnson administration
was turning out so badly. The Demo-
cratic party at that time was under
the management of Dean Richmond,
an exceedingly wise, honest, judi
cious man, who had never asplred for
Office himself, and who had the con-
El,~oo 10 h;o ryhOln y,ov,fu Pi0h-
mond was a nan [ really greatly adj
mired. Another good man, Peter
Caggar, was at that time Secretary of
the Democratic State Committee.
II was in Albany then, and one
day l called at Caggar's office there
to see him about some business mat
ter. AS I entered the room I saw
Richmond, Caggar, Erastus Corning
and one or two other gentlemen seat
ed closely around a table. and over
heard the words: Yes, Grant is I'M
doubtedly the man; if We and then
the speaker saw me and suddenly
turned the conversation upon some
commonplace topic.
"From this, and the confusion ex-
pressed upon the faces of the men, I
saw at once that Ihad interrupted a
private conversation. A few mo-
ments later, having accomplished my
Grand, I left the office, and then the
words I had heard came back to my
mind. It flashed across me almost
Immediately that these men had
been discussing General Grant as a
possible Democratic candidate f r
the Presidency!
eat thai time Gener | Grant was
committed to no political party, but
it was known that he mad been a
Democrat before the war, and it was
not an unreasonable presumption
that he was still a Democrat. [ re-
allied in a moment that if the DEM
ocrats should nominate General
Grant, and be should accept their
nomination, they would undoubtedly
elect their candidate, for the general
was then probably the most popular
man in the country, and could he
elected ne matter whose candidate
he might be. AS [ thought the mat
ter over l was impressed and
more strongly that the Democrats
bad this end in view.
mot long after t lis I met Erastus
Corning on the street. Mr.. Corning
was evidently feeling very we'll salts
fed about something. He said to
me
"'Well, Weed, what are your peo-
pie going to do for a presidential can
uldate next time?!"
"Oh, I do not know yet what we
shall Go. There is plenty of time for
attending to that, and the Republi-
an party does not lack eligible men,
[ answered.
"'WelP sad Corning, you had bet
ter put on the strongest man you
have, or We shall beat you pretty
badly-in fact, I think we shall do
that at any rate.'
"Then l felt moderately confident
that the Democrats had decided upon
General Grant as their candidate:
but if any doubt of this fingered in
my mind it was effectually dispelled,