The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-16

How the Pennsylvania Served the President
In 1S64-Hsmlin Not I'm the Fight
PHILADELPHIA, July I5.-Frank A. Burr
contributes the following to the Times
There was q great deal of by-play and TO-
nance connected with the denomination Of
Mr.. Lincoln. Two-thirds of the Republic
an leaders were opposed to him and
looked upon the Illinois statesman as a
sort of freak of nature which had been
thrust into n position which belonged to
others. He had trouble with them even
before he was well anchored into the presi-
Dental chair. But he conquered all with
q wise policy and a fixed purpose. that
could not be shaken. His denomination
was amatter of great concern with him. and
he knew and felt the weight of
influence that was against him. Upon
this point General Cameron furnishes the
following testimony:
Half of his Cabinet looked upOn him as
IN accident that was to last only four years,
and from the day of the organization of his
political household at least three OF his con-
stitutional advisers were shaping their
course to succeed him as President. rather
than sinking their ambitions In an earnest
support of him and his policy. When i re-
turned from Russia he was In the midst of
great conflicts with the leaders of his party
He was much distressed at the intrIgues
In and out of his Cabinet, and did not know
how TO fence them. One day when / called
at the White House he expressed his fears
In no mistaken terms, and was anxious to
know what could be done in the crisis. 4
cheered him as best i could with the assur-
ance that the public was Overwhelmingly
IN favor of his denomination. / told him
that the matter could be easily fixed and
that he need not give himself any uneasi-
ness
'''How can we be assured of thstf was
he prompt inquiry.
1T car all be arranged. I replied. Then
told him this story: When General Jack
son was nominated for the presidency the
first time he wrote q letter saying that he
would not be a candidate for u second term.
but the general condi ION of the country
and the United States bank question made
1t necessary that he should stand for re-
election. But how to get over this letter
was q serious matter. Major Eaton. the
Secretary of War, had summoned me from
New Orleans. where L was building q
canal from Lake PonchartraIn into that
city. i consulted with General Jackson
upon the matters then pending and assured
him that his denomination was practically
made, with his consent to be once more
candidate.
How can il be donep said he
very easily | replied. Il VIII write q
resolution asserting the necessity for your
renomIDation on account of the pending
difhcultles IN financial circles and have it
passed by the Pennsy Legislature
and send the same resolution to other
States. Before You know IL the members of
Congress- who nominate the presidential
candidates will be confronted with an over
whelming popular expression that they can
not afford TO ignore. This scheme was car
ried ont successfully, and you will find that
General Jackson was renominated by the
issue thus made. There Is no trouble
about that plan of camr aign being repeated.
DO you think it posi- Die that the Same
can be done for meT said Mr.. Lincoln.
"'Quite readily l replied. Il will 60
home tomorrow. and Pennsy lvania will be
honOred in being the first State TO pledge
itself 10 your renOminatiOn.' He thanked
me cordially, and i left him, after q short
visit. To set the ball in motion for his
second term. The assurance that l gave
hlin seemed TO lift q cloud from his mind.
and We had very pleasant chat. / re-
turned to Harrisburg sought after the
Andrew Jackson resolution, changed il to
mt this new emergency, hen FOrney copied
any trouble.
Il went down to visit the President while
the states were going On record In his favor
lie was having reception, and hundreds
wero going In 10 shake his hand. / fol-
lowed along with the tide. but he observed
me before L got within some distance of
him. With his face all aglow with salts
faction he neid mp his long bony hand. en-
cased In white cotton glove and before
had reached within a half dozen people of
him he said:
Cameron, three more States in TODAY,
His denomination was then assured.
After the reception We had long and
earnest talk about the approaching cam
paign, when the plans for its conduct were
mapped out as far as / could control il.
Mr.. Lincoln was made President because
he was the choice of the people. and all the
politicians on the earth could not have pre-
vented il. 1t has often seemed to me as
though an all-wise Providence chose him
for just such a crisis as this Nation had
then To meet. liz may be said that be was
uneducated and lacked polish, but he was
the wisest aud best-hearted man 4 ever
knew. During his career he surmounted
more serious obstacles than any man who
ever lived
This statement may be news to Mr..
Nicolay, but not TO the greater men who
are still living and know its truth. The
testimony of = man then young and mex