New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-10
OTHER STATEMENTS IN THE CASE.

BURTON c. COOK CONFIRMS Mr.. NICoLAY-soME-
THING ON THE OTHER SIDE.
Chicago. July (SpeclaD.-" President Lincoln did
NOT oppoe IIamlin's denomination and the statements
Of Mr. Ncolay are correct" said Burton c. Cook, an
Illinois pioneer Republican, today lie was an In
innate friend Of Lincoln and was the chairman OF the
Illinois delegation in the Baltimore Convention.
Il have read what the newspapers have said abont
the statement made concerning Hannibal Hamlin and
the President and l can fully verify the denial OF IT
published by NlcOlay. ! the chairman OF the
Illinois delegation TO Baltimore in 1864 and wrote the
letter to the President of which answer has been
printed by NicOlay. This certainly plain enough,
but was not yet entirely satisfied and went to Wash
ington myself to speak with the President. spent
some time with him and spoke Of the affair much.
l do not now remember the exact words We used; 1t
WAS thirty years ago and | would not care TO be too
detail led in the story for it a confidential CONVERSE
ton aud was understood 10 be such between us but
will say that when left the President was satSleo
that he would be perfectly content with the noilia
ton Of Hamlin. In fact felt that he really desired IT,
'If Lincoln had In any way expressed an unequlvo-
cal wish that Hamln or any one else DC noml-
mated, the convention would have proceeded on
those lines. When they asked me about 1t
told thm TO watch the illinois delegation 10 80 thi
way lid, and that the President "ouid De sdtlShed
Hamlm led the convention and would have carried
II too had il not been for one thing. Horace
MAYNARD, OF tennessee arose at a critical point and
made rafting speech for Johnson. lie spOke In tho
most passionate way OF the great suiferings that had
been endured by Union men living IN the south.
In pOwerful and fOrceful words he portrayed the
periences OF himself and Johnson In Tennessee, and
he sat down with the hall ringing Wild and patriotic
applause. 1t was that speech by Maynard that de-
feated Hamlin and by no means any desire on tho
palt of the President. To make matters worse,
ihe speech was followed by stampede from
our ranks BY the amlin men, led by Simon Cameron
but there is doubt In your mind, Mr.. Cook,
that Lincoln did not favor the nomination Of
southern UnlOnist"
of Hannibal Hamlin The feelings of the President ara
an affair too well known 10 be discussed"
A former resident Of Tennessee, now living in this
city, who was Intimately acquainted with Andrew
Johnson when he was the most conspicuous figure IN
Tennessee makes The following statement In connec-
tion with the controversy which has arisen between
Colonel Mcclure Of Philadelphia, and john g. Nieolay
as 20 who President Lncoln's choice for Vice
President on the ticket OF 1864
- In May, 1864, preceding the National Republican
Convention, met General Daniel 4. Sickles IN the
SOUTH In a conversation with me at the time on
political matters, he said that he had come south Tor
the purpose OF ascertainng all he could aOont tho
character and standing OF Andrew Johnson With
view Of arranging for his nomination for the once OF
cIrcsident on the ticket with Mr. Lincoln. asked
him at once what he thought Mr. Lincoln would say
20 such arrangement. lie replied dlrecty ana Win
emphasis II he had forgotten the strong point
In his case that he represented Mr. Lincoln In the
matter and that his presence In the south was 1.-The
personal request Of the President .
IL Is needless for me 60 say that 1 dld all could
10 aid General Sickles In his mission leave TO Gem
eral SIcklcs tho rest Of the story, If be sees 1T
tell it."