Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-14
POLITICAL SECRETS.

Another Version of How Lincoln
Came 10 be Nominated at Chicago in
1860 The misunderstanding Re
tween Cameron, Weed, and Seward
that Led to Seampede-Story of the
Intrigues and Combinations as Told
I'm Thuriovy Weeds Unpublished
Letters.
There is to be issued in a week or
two, by Houghton, Mifflin &c Co., of
Boston and New York, "A Memoir of
Thurlow Weed" by his grandson.
Thurlow Weed Barnes. The book
promises to revive the old controversy
as to How Lincoln was nominated, !"
and how, at the Chicago Convention
of 1860, William I'll. Seward, the logic
al, and, as everybody suspected, the
inevitable republican candidate against
Breckenridge and Douglas was thrown
over. Unless the proOf-sheets, which
the writer examined the other day
with great care, are at fault, Stewards
defeat at Chicago was owing to a mis-
understanding between Mr. Weed, Mr..
Seward, and Simon Cameron. Mr..
Stewards letters to Mr.. Weed in 1859,
and the early part of 1860 show that
during that period Mr.. Cameron, Mr..
Weed, and Mr.. Seward were at work
together with an object, and in appar-
ent harmony. In letter dated Wash
iDgton, April 20, 1859, to Mr.. Weed,
Seward says, speaking OF Cameron:
II promised him when [ left Wash
ington to spend q day or so with him
on my way home. He took me to lis
house and told me that was right. He
was for me and Pennsylvania would
be. 1t might happen that the dele
cation would cast the first bal
lot for him, but he was not in, etc.
He brought the whole Legislature of
both parties to see me, Toasted them
glOriOusly, and they were in the
main SO generous as to embarrass me.
You will find John S. Pendleton, Of
Virginia, old enough and we'll dis
posed for anything. The District of
Columbia is represented by Henry
Addison, now Mayor of Georgetown.
He is wise, honest, indOmitable, and
unreserved. You may send him
safely anywhere On march Is,
1860, Seward wrote to Weed from
Washington: "Mr. Cameron claims
all the delegates in Philadelphia but
one. He says he wants to see you
and will meet you here or at Phila
delphia at any time you suggest He
said he would write you so, but it
seemed we'll enough for me to tell
you [ know all about Mr.. Carl
Schurz and the important and respon-
sible part he is acting in the Republi-
can cause. Please give him your
confidence. [ wonder continually
how you get through with such Iabors
and bear up under such responsible
ties"
Coming down to the convention
itself, the proof sheets continue: |
After the second ballot had been
taken, but before the result was an
nouEced, Governor Reeder, of Penn
sylvania, took the floor and said that
while the voting was going on General
Cameron had withdrawn his name.
He now formally withdrew the name
of Simon Cameron as a candidate for
the nomination Forty-eight votes
from the State of Pennsylvania were
then thrown for Mr. Lincoln, and the
clerk announced the result. Mr..
Seward stood within 49, votes of the
nomination, but the sudden rise in
Mr. Lincoln's vote, caused by the
transfer to him of the votes from
Pennsylvania, which on the first bal
lot had been cast for General Cameron,
suddenly brought into the field for
midable candidate. Other influences
were at work in the same direction,
but the change of the vote of Penn
sylvania, startling the vast auditorium
like a clap of thunder, turned the
scale. On the next ballot Mr.. Carter,
of Ohio, announced a change of four
votes in the delegation to the leading
candidate, thus nominating Mr.. Lin
coin.