The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1883-01-25
LINOOLN's RECONCILIATION.
How Simon Cameron started the
Bali R0liing--- Ben Buffers Marrow
Escape FROM the Presidency.

Harrisburg Letter to Tho Boston Herald
President Lincoln's fear that Ben Wade.
Chase, Seward and other Republican leaders
were organizing Il movement to defeat his
denomination is familiar history. Mr.. Cam
eron was just home from Europe in the midst
OF the intrigue which so disturbed the Pres
dent He called General Cameron to his side
and reconnted his fears That the Republican
leaders who were plotting against him would
defeat him for second term. ut can't be
done" was the emphatic reply of Mr.. Cameron
when Mr.. Lincoln had told his story. ''The
sentiment of this country is overwhelmingly
for you, and it must find expression before the
convention meets"
"How can it be done?" was the swift ques-
ton of Mr.. Lincoln.
Easy enough" said Gen. Cameron. Il re-
member Gen. Jackson's first term, while I
was building the Lake Pontchartrain canal into
New Orleans, 1 was called home by Mr..
Eaton, secretary of war, to assist in the cam
paign for the reelection of Jackson You will
remember that Jackson had pledged himself
not to run a second time, and the first point
to be gained was to decide what means should
be taken to remove this obstacle, We had
consultation, and it was suggested that some
state legislature should start with q petition
asking jackson to become candidate for re-
election. This could be followed by others,
until all the Democratic states through their
representatives had spoken in his behalf His
great popularity made this an easy task. The
Legislature of Pennsylvania readily signed the
request asked, and the other states followed in
quick succession. He could not, of course, de-
cline such call, and was re- elected The
people naturally supposed it was spontane-
Gus uprising in his behalf, whereas it was Il
carefully prepared plan to arouse, and direct
public sentiment This can be done in your
case and We will begin with Pennsylvania, as
we did for Gen. Jackson"
DO you think it can be done, general?" said
Mr.. Lincoln.
you how easily" And tho two then parted
with Mr.. Lincoln very much pleased with the
abiding faith of his new ally.
Mr.. Cameron returned to Harrisburg and in
a day or two sent Mr.. Lincoln the petition of
the Pennsylvania legislature, asking him to
be candidate for reelection and pledging him
the vote of the state. Very soon state after
state followed this lead in rapid succession,
and each additional recruit gave Lincoln great
pleasure. 1t was not long afterward before
General Cameron called at the White House
on reception day. Taking his place in the
line he was pushing his way slowly to the
place where the executive was receiving his
guests. The latter saw Mr.. Cameron some
distance away in the column. Holding up his
great hand encased III n cheap cotton glove,
he indicated with three long fingers the sue
ess of their scheme and shouted: s'S;non,
| We've got EN-! Three more states in to-
| lay
The crowd looked at the president in as
enlistment, but they little knew how the re-
| :cipt of the news from those three states had
! eheved the mind of Nj. Lincoln. Another
'hase of this presidential contest CT 1864
Which is just now interesting and exceedingly
prcpos, follows the story of how he was
| convinced he was to be chosen for 4 second
ERIN. After he was satisfied that his nominal
on WAS certainty, he was very anxious con-
! erning the man who was to have the second
3lacea on the ticket. After looking the coun-
! ry over, he decided that he would like to have
Sen Butler on the ticket with him as
rice president He sent for Gen.
n carrying his desire to Gen. Butler,
Who was in command near Fort Mon
oe. Mr.. Cameron accepted the mission, and
le, with Henry Wilson of Massac hussetts,
vent down in government vessel to inform
General Butler of Mr. Lincoln'S wishes. The
Meeting with General Butler, Mr.. Cameron
AID, was exceeding pleasant, but when Mr..
i1ncolns desire was made known 10 him, his
eply was: Il would not accept place on
residential ticket with any man, although
appreciate the compliment the president has
zone me in making the request" But for this
ositive declination of General Butler there is
9 doubt he would have been vice president,
id succeeded to the presidency instead OF
ndrew Jackson.