The Greenville times., 1891-07-11

-
ssi.oriaI of Colonel Mcclure VIII aP-
Rsar in to.morrOw's Times;
aThe ignorance exhibited by Jonn
q NieoIsy in his public telegram to
the widow Of Ex-Yice-P President Ham
lin js equalled only by his arrogance
IN assuming to speak for Abraham !
incolu In matter about which
Nicolay was never consulted ana ol
which he had no more knoWlege tnah
any other routine clerk about the
/ Wbita House. | do not regret thal
Nieolay has rushed into dispute that
must lead to a clear establishment OF
the exact truth as to the defeat OF
Hamlin in 1854. Ii will surely greatly
impair, il not destroy, Nieolay's
hitherto generally accepted claim 70
accuracy as a biographer of Lincoln,
| but be can complain of none but HIM
self.
al saw Abraham Lincoln at all hours
of the day and night during bis Presi.
; Dental service, and he has himself
abundantIy testified TO the trust that
existed between US. Having had
direction of his battle IN the pivotal
State of the Union, he doubtless ac-
,, corded me more credit than | merited,
! and the fact that | never sought or
desired honors or profits from his al
: ministration, and never embarrassed
> him with exactions of any kinds, made
our relations the most grateful mem
ories of my life. In all of the many
U grave political emergencies arising
+ from the new and often appalling
! duties imposed by internecine war
was one of those called to the inner
70 councils of Abraham Lincoln. He dis
10 trusted his own judgment in politics
and was always careful to gather the
best councils from all varied shades OF
$ opinion and interest to guide him IN
- bis conclusions, and there were not
u only scores Of confidential conferences
u in the White House of which John u
al Nicolay never heard, but no man ever
u met or heard of John e. Nicolay IL
such councils"
n; The editorial then says: "Nicola!
~ was good mechanical clerk, but utter
or ly inefficient as presidents secretary
President Lincoln Nic0lay saw, 6u
, never Abraham Lincoln. Nicolay'
% biography IS invaluable as to Lincoln
A'- public acts, hut every line of the pri
-, vste biography has objectionable OF
~ rors.n Continuing, the editorial says
-, '1 now report that in obedience T.
II II a telegrsphic request from Preslden
= - Lincoln | visited him at the Whit
re' u House the day before the meeting Q
d. the Baltimore convention OF 1864. A
that interview Lincoln earnestly el
M lo' planned why the nomination Of wei
oo' known southern man like Andre'
:, johnson, who had been congressman
rs governor, and senator by the favor
his State would not only nationaliz
A. the republican party, but would grea
ly lessen the grave peril of the recol
on !, milton of the Confederacy by Englan
AZ, and France. He. believed that Il
s.u election to the vice-presidency OF
W representative statesman from an i
20. surgent State that had been restore
nc' to the union would disarm the en-
eAr mics of the republic abroad and
'lc- move the load of sectionalism from u
lese government that seemd to greatly hi
leis der peace. No intimation. no ira
. Vi of prejudice against Hamlin was
:, hibited, and well know that no su
'ne consideration could have inhuenc
W Lincoln In such au emergency II
wno he believed Hamlin to be the man W
',, e.s- could best promote the great VIC
I''cc M whose direction fell solely upon hi
eou- self. he would have favored Hamli
'ho nomination, regardless of his perso
- wishes. But he believed that gr
D. H. public achievement would be attain
~ by the election of johnson, and l
: l. turned to Baltimore 10 work and v
=, , for johnson, although against all
" 1 personal predictions in the mattel
?. ). Washington, July 9.-John h. N
lay has come out with card IN r.
astle- to Col. A. X. MeClure's ediloria
Yesterday. Nicolay says:
is, D. "You asserted that President
hair coin opposed the nomination of |
niba Ilamlm for Vice-President
recess refutcd that assertion by calling ai
ton to the written record whr
dele Lincoln in bis own handwriting
a for plicitly states the contrary.
it; You now reassert your staten
David or. to put in other words, you &c
satliif. President Lincoln of acting
Glass, political deceit aud with his
handwriting deliberate lie.
War country viii not believe the monsl
Con- implication" .
arden, The fact that the Illinois and !
sylvania delegations voted solidl
!. A. Hamlin, Nicolay asserts, displ
v. Nj. McClure's statement that Lincol
Con- posed Hamlln's denomination.
att, q. The card concludes: "Dare
venture the assertion that Lincoln
: Chas, deceiving Cameron, deceiving
er, Tor carrying OH secret intrigue at
Arcola. Hamlin and another secret int
and, j. against Holt, and that on top
whole, he was writing deliberate
w. H. That may be your eonceptie
C. "A. Abraham Lincoln, but it is not
That may be your system of p'
lnat1on hut IL WAS not his,n