Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-29

6OQ that mlgnS not noft our great cause.
1T may not be generally known, but il Il
nevertheless true, that Mr.. seward enter tanned
great admiration and . most sincere regard for
Gen. Geo. H. Mcclellan, or George as Mr.
Lincoln used Familiarity and sffectionateiy to
call him. Once when speaking OF the general MIR.
Seward told me he considered him one of the
most forbearing. self-contrellel and patient
men whom he had ever known. He only re-
membsred q single occasion upon which he
displayed an implacable feeling of resentment
This was after his rupture with Mr.. Stanton
and his retirement from the command of the
Army OF the Potomac. The rebel invaders were
pouring north and the battle which is known
to us by the name Of 'Aniotsr was
to be fought There was panic in
Washington, and after much consider
alton it WAS determined to invite Gen.
Mcclellan to again head our forces. Mr.. Sew
ard was selected to convey to him the desire
ana urge its acceptance. To his surprise and
disappointment he at first found George
inexorable He felt that Mr.. Stanton had
treated him with too much injustice to permit
him to accept the offer consistently with his
own self-respect. For long time he would
not reccde from his refusal and it was only
after repeated urging by Mr.. Seward that ne
was induced to undertake TO fight that one bat
tie. IT being, however, distinctly understood
that there should be no personal Recommendation
between himself and the Secretary oil War.
we who were present in Washington AZ that
time can remember the demoralized army
driven back upon this city after the second bat
tie q Bull Run. 1t was that mass OF fuginves
Mcclellan was asked to organize, and
with them he fought that battle after
brie; delay for recognizing that chaos.
1t was then the offer came to him, AZ II was
said. to take command of the army and declare
himself Dictator. II such proposition reached
HIM 1t was ulsregarded and he yielded up the
command after the battle had been won. The
National Lntclh3encer Of that date urged the APP
pointment of Mcclellan to the command OF the
army, and one Of the gentlemen connected
with the editorial departmen OF the National
In'ethJehoo, and who now occupies very high
position here, told me he or Mr.. Seaton had
seen Mr. Lincoln on the subject, and Mr.. Lin
coin said TO him: "You don t love George any
more than do, but l cannot do it. l am SO
dependent upon Congress"
HIGH REGARD FOR NE. CHASE.
There is so much Of interest in this book of
Mr. Fields l wonder it was not republished
here. He was in a position to know all the in
side working of the administration at period
OF great public peril. His opinion Of Mr..
Chase was enhanced by tine intimate associa-
ton, official and private, which existed. and he
says: Il parted from him with higher appre-
citation Of his magnificent mind and character
than entertained when only knew him as
one OF the leaders OF the land" Another ex-
tract and 1 close the book with reluctance:
II happened once to be with the Secretary when
nounced, as was his habit. entered the room.
HIS rusty black hat WAS on the back of his
head, and he wore, was his custom,
an old gray shawl across his shoulders.
10 the best OF my recollection this occurred in
the spring of 1864. / said good morning TO Mr..
Lincoln. and then, as was the established ETH
quette when the President called, withdrew
from the office. AS Mr. Lincoln in his infre-
quent visit to the Secretary usually remained
| long time. supposed had my freedom for
at least half an hour. and proceeded to attend
to the accumulation of business which awaited
me In my own room. But was mistaken. In
less than hve minutes was summoned to re-
rnrn TO the Secretary. Mr.. Shuckers, his
private secretary, entered the room at
the same time that l did. The Pres
upon one end OF Mr. Chase's desk
confused mass of treasury notes. demand
notes. seven-thirty notes and other representa-
tlves OF value. Mr Chase told me that this lot
OF money had just been brought by Mr.: Lin
coin. who desired to have it converted into
bonds He informed us that the President
said it amounted to Sos, 600. but he had not
counted it. Gen. Spinner, the treasurer, WAS
sent for and when the general came up from
his Office. down stairs, he Mr.. Shuckers and
myself proceeded to count the money. The
amount proved to be MS represented. Just $685.
900, which was certainly large sum to have
saved from his salary III three years"
CHASE AND THE PRESIDENCY.
while the movement to bring Mr.. Chase for
ward as presidential candidate was in agita-
ton United States Senator, who actively par
tIcipated i'll it, one day came into nv Office in q
towering rage. Striking his fist upon my desk
he said to me that he considered Chase the -
(using very strong expletive) fool in the
world. He went to tell me he and others
had been unsuccessfully laboring with the Soc
Rotary to induce him to issue n cot
ton permit to somebody precisely as
he would issue one to any reputable
the interest OF his nomination, instead of going
into private pockets" That reminds
ME. as Mr. Lincoln said. In 1868 Mr.. Chase
would have been nominated at the democratic
convention in New York if Mr.. Seymour had
declined the nomination, as it was understood
he would do. and as he had repeatedly stated he
would do. Your candidate Icannot be, he had
proclaimed from The stage, and the nomination
was given him as a compliment, with the distinct
understanding he would decline, anu Mr.. Chase
would have been nominated almost certainly.
Hancock got up to l57 votes and the convention
adjourned. was with Gen. Hancock at the
Metropolitan Hotel here when the telegram
came announcing the vote and adjourn ment,
for had returned in consequence OF telegram
announcing Mr.. Allen s indIsposi don. and felt
sure his opponents would during the night put
up some one to beat him, and they did, and wnen
next day the news came that seymour had
been nominated / autographed 1lr. Snow TO
come on and take charge of the Lstei!igencer. as
/ would not support the nomination. l also
telegraphed Gen. Ewing TO get the soldiers
convention to nominate Hancock, but
The nomination of Gen. Frank Blair in some
measure gilded the pill We had to swallow. In
September WAS cent by the President to Utica
to tender Nj. Seymour any aid the administra-
ton could give him. The interview was pain
full He WAS the weakest candidate ever saw.
He regrettedhe had not declined and allowed an
other nomination to be made. The National
InteaiJencer reluctantly agreed to support the
ticket until the October election in Pennsylya.
mia, and If he failed to carry the state we were
to take his name from the head Of the ticket
and put Gen. Frank Blair in his place. We did
1t. and at the same time, without any concerted
action, the New York World did about the same
thing. Had the ticket been reversed wo could
have carried Pennsylvania on Frank Blairs
magnificent war recOrd-"but the saddest
word" &c.
STORIES OF JENNY LIND.
1havc some more agreeable topics to discuss,
and SO close the grave where lie buried the
political hopes Of that period.
am indebted to DIR. Thomas Richie Stone
for tho charming letters addressed to his grand
father, the venerated Thomas Richie, by Jenny
Lind, and, before reproducing them. 1 find Mr.
Maunsell B. Field has some very interesting
"reminiscences OF his intercourse with this great
singer and admirable woman. On her arrival
in New York she sent a note requesting Mr..
al 1avv he