Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-07-09
NICOLAY HIT HARD
Colonel Mcclure Still Sticks
 to His Story.
HE REPEATS IT THIS MoRN1NGy
President Lincoln Wanted Andrew John
 son Nominated

There Was No Prejndice Against MT.
 Hamlin-The War Presidents Private
 Secretary Merely a Routine Clcrk-His
 Removal Was Sought by Friends of the
 AdministratIon-An Intere sting Dispute
 PHILADELPHIA, July 9.-The Times this morning publishes the following editorial written by Col. Mcclure:
 "The ignoran ce exhibited by John G. Nicolay in his public telegram to the widow of -Vice-President Hamlin, Is equalled only by his arrogance in as- suming to speak for Abraham Lincoln in matters about which Nicolay was never consulted, and of which he had no more knowledge than any other routine clerk about the White House. I do not regret that MT. Nicolay has rushed into a dis pute that must lead to the clear estab- lishment of the exact truth as to the de- feat of Hamlin in 1864. It will surely greatly impair, If not destroy, Nicolay's hitherto generally accepted claim to ac- curucy as the biographer of Lincoln, but he can complain of none but himself.
 q saw Abraham Lincoln at all hours of the day and night during his Presi- dential service, and he himself abundant ly testified to the trust that existed be- tween us. Having lad the direction of his battle in the pivotal State of the Union, he doubtless accorded me more credit than merited, as the only success in politics and war is success; and the fact that I never sought nor desired honors or proftslfrom his administration and never embarrassed him with exac- tions of any kind, made our relations the most grateful memories of my life.
 "In all the many grave political emer- gencies arising from the new and often appalling duties imposed by internecine war, was one of those called to the in ner councils of Abraham Lincoln. He distrusted his own judgment in politics, and was ever careful kto gather the best counsels from all the varied shades of opinion and interest to guide him in his conclusions; and there were not only scores of confidential conferences in the White House of which John G. Nicolay never heard, but no man ever met or heard of John G. Nicolay in such coun- cils. He was 8 good mechanical, rou- tine clerk; he was utterly inefficient as the secretary of the President; his re- moval was earnestly pressed upon Lin coin on more than one occasion because of his utter want of tact and fitness to his trust, ond only the proverbial kind ness of Lincoln saved him from dismissal He saw and knew President Lincoln; the man Abraham Lincoln he never saw and never knew; and his assumption that he was the trusted repository of Lincoln 's confidential convictions and efforts woul have been regarded as grotesque quar- ter of a century ago, when Lincoln and his close surroundings were well under. stood.
 Johnson's Nomination Desired.
 1T now rspea at that in obedience to g telegraphic request from Abraham Lin. coin visited him at the White House the day before the Baltimore convention of 1884 At that interview MT. Lincoln earnestly explained why the nomination of 8 we'll known Southern man like An drew Johnson, who had been Congress man, Governor and Senator by favor o1 his State, would not only nationalize the Republican party and the government, but would greatly lessen the grave dan ger ot the recognition of the Confederacy by England and France.
 "He believed that the election to the Vice Presidency of a representative statesman from an insurgent State that disarm the enemies of the Republic abroad and remove the load of section alism from the government that seemed to greatly hinder peace. No intimation, no trace of prejudice against MT. Ham. lin was exhibited, and we'll knew that no such consideration could have in. fuenced MT. Lincoln in such an emer, Rency." ---.--..-.--..-..--.-. .