The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-09
LINCOLN AN D JOHNSON.
kRooFs THAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED
JOHNSON OF TENNESSEE RATHKB
TMAS HAMLIN OF MAINE.

Sorry when He Learned that the Fresi.
dent did Aot Want Hin Agai.-eea. nut
Ter Tells how the Nomination was OF.
rered TO Nim-whsn Ne Declined. Mr..
1.incoin Accepted Andrew johnson
Mamiin not Thought of for the Place.
Tho statement recently made by THE Sun
and tho Ptaaic'iaid 2uues that lrcsidcnt
Lincoln had favored the nomination II Andtew
johnson ovcr Hannibal llnmln !os Nico.
PRESIDENT In 1861. having b,en disputed tho
'soitor OF tho yin.r>. Col. Alexander Is. Mcclure,
has doomed II n public duty TO settle the issue
by tho direct testimony Of tho men now living
or the prcserN oil drtct testimony OF the doad
who were IN the confidence II NJ. Lincoln aud
acted in accorlarco with b y convictions.
The following lcttors md authentic state
nents from prominent actors in tho Domina-
lions Of 1854 will 10 generally accepted as
conclusive. Tho almost uaited EXPRESSION OF
tho public rross o. tho country has already
ended reasonable disiTtation on tho subject;
but IL Is due to history that tho clearo>t and
best eyide CO sha.l be gwen. and that duty is
now performed. When NJ. IlaG!lin himsot
eonfesses lie correctness of tho statement OF
THE Sun. the folly OF CONTROVERSY on :ho 0uos-
ton will be appreciated hy nil.
The Hon. s. Newton Pettis. who was m ac-
tive supporter CT Lincoln Mt the conventions
OF 1860 and 1864, NH has teen Congressman.
Judge. and foreign Minister. was personally
advised by Lincoln In 1854 to support Johnson
for Vice. President. Tho following is his !estl-
meny on tho point. In a letter to tho eLilor OF
the Philadelphia Times:
MEApvrLLE, July 90. 1901.
DEAF Sir: Your favor OF lns. wcok reached
Eamiin's lettor 10 me in 1850. md !ns.ead Of"
copy enclose the original. which you can re-
turn to At your convenience,
You will remember the CIRCUMSTANCE; con
Alter. On the morning No o; the meeting OF lilo
H s. isSIn snf esfs apss in.
coln In his study and stated that called espe-
eiaiiy % ask him ,ohom Z. desi,ed gut on ne
:siI toysTns. % E"son q 7sa%essee." Wv, wv
Hamlin in Washington. Mt the house Of friend
Ss wne% hc r ~ E En
Among other matters casually mentioned
ths e1pIsssoa Of MI I1soa tbs mor,IIng Of
1884, net % ns sha
was any,hinx that would surprise him Yop
s ous ny from SGs6
mad. e: s's'sasa But
yiew had Win YOU in which vow had made sup.
70 you very shortly before the meeting Of the
Convention. which clipped. and with satisfac-
mine to Mr.. H.. stating that your statement 10
the same effect as mine made 10 him in the
isvs near ssst
1s sST ts ssRa YOU was
AAML1N ADMITS THAT LINCOLN SUPPORTED
JOHNSON.
The following is Mr.. Hamlin's letter to
judge Pettis. The original is now In tho pos
session of.ths editor Of tho ri'ede,ohia II ns
MY DEAR srn: Have been from hom 70 for orI sew
aT s ND a aa nat sst s s
a'HS M net a' spd with you in WASH
your correetntss The remark that made
ststsmssis Of Mr l. which Y" han HG see se' hut
which did not believe until made positive By
was truly sorry at What you 70 said and tho In.
formation you gave me,
bolt rsso and enSna Ssf'. r"son
again may say something NOR. to you. viii
write no more Yours very truly H.,,,v
Tho Hon. 8. N. PErr1s. Meadville. Pa.
LINCOLN WANTED WAR DEMOCRAT FOE VICE
PRESIDENT.
The following letter from Gen. Butler. with
the added extract from his magazine article
On the Same subject explain themselves:
BosToH, July H. 1891.
70 write. as my memory sor, es me- for the
NORTH american Reuien while under tho eui-
Gtial Of At b Alien Thc.ndke
@yseIt. %hIeh took piace a. Fort Monroe sons n
ssier: :'s e. W asS & M I Pea seen
Mr. Cameron during the campaign. sly recol-
ctiNgn I, that p1,e, article Ess
that tie article was Written five or six years s
to Wan s H9y S add nSsns that tnev
%hoI, Yth9ut ,, any T'Iation to NJ Msmln
tv M; Lincoln and, his friends Gai somebody
:se se gos;i'Ie 'ho"a be n?% H,qn IN
Prom the North American E'vfrn. OCTOBER. 1895
Within three weeks, afterwards gentleman
tCameronl who stood very high Ia NJ. LIN
lotted to mo Q not unimportant part in the
81 wRs Ea 81 a ind
for which had been laborins.. and The story
Of when has not yot been told. but may be
The gentleman Informed me th"t be came
Geeause III. :s AM and nysct nd boon Tor
scensiderable tlns in quite warm. friendly H.
never repay savn with gratitude.
~ raid: Tho Pr.siCent, ms YOU know, in
his friends indicate that Mr.. Hamlin Is no
longer to be u cnniia,o for Vice. President.
and as he 10 from New lnglani. tho President
thinks that his place should 10 lied by some
ono from that section; and nsils from reasons
Of personal friendship which would make it
pleasant to have you with him. he believes that
untsered tor the war. yonr cnndidnture would
add strength to tho 'Icssf especially with !h h,
allow your friends 70, cooperate with his TO
place You IN that position"
answsret: Please say to Mr.. Lincoln that
while appreciate with tho fullest s.nslhility
this act OF irishdship ard tho compliment he
pays me. yet must decline Toll him. said
lauchinRly. with tho prospects, OF tho cam
IA gp; would not, gut he hclh 70 be Vice
less he will give mo bond witt srretic.,, in tho
IN sum Of ms tnrr years salary that he VIII
Inauguration"