The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-11

mined to call to his cabinet four men who
had been conspicuous candidates for the
nomination and who had received consid-
cradle support IN the convention. His
theory was that these men represented in
fiuential elements in the party, and for
that reason should be recognized. He had
determined he said, to nominate Mr.. Sew
ard for secretary of state, Seward being his
leading competitor. For secretary of the
treasury he had fixed upon Gov. Chase.
For secretary of war he had decided to ap-
point Mr.. Cameron, believing that he had
special executive ability for that post, and
for attorney general he had fixed upon
Edward Bates, who represented the West
ern Wing element and was very able
lawyer, with strong support i'll the ma
tional convention. He had about made
up his mind to appoint Caleb B. Smith, a
of the most influential of Western poiiti-
clans and a very brilliant stump speaker,
to one of the other offices, and that left but
two.
Mr.. Weed has said that he was amazed
to see with what seeming ease this man
had solved a problem which seemed at
first sight to be so difficult of solution.
Only one cabinet officer gave Mr.. Lincoln
anxiety, for he had promised the vice
president-elect, Hannibal Hamlin, that he
would, on Mr.. Hamln's recommendation,
name the New England member of the
cabinet, and Mr.. Hamlin had decided to
suggest that of Gideon Wells, of Connect
cut Mr. Lincoln wanted someone who
represented the Southern, or at least the
border element of the party. He would
not take Henry Winter Davis. because,
while recognizing Mr.. Davis brilliant
ability, he believed him an uncontroll-
able man, capable OF dong better service
in the house. The names of one or two
Virginia Wings were suggested but these
were not satisfactory to Mr.. Lincoln, and
he finally hit upon Montgomery Blair, who
was Union-Whig.
Mr.. Lincoln did not think it necessary
to keep his purposes absolutely secret.
He made no formal announcement of
them, but he permitted his intentions to
leak out. so that before he was inaugurated
the country knew fairly we'll whom he
would call TO his cabinet. and there was
great discussion as to which member OF
the cabinet would dominate Mr. Lincoln
and the cabinet as well. The impression
existed that either Mr.. Seward or Mr.
Chase would obtain supremacy. Within
month after the cabinet was organized it
was discovered who was the master. 1t
was great cabinet, every man in IL was
of commanding ability, and vet within six
weeks they found that Mr.. Lincoln would
acknow ledge no member of the cabinet as
anything else than his constitutional ad-
wiser. Mr.. Seward was daring enough 10
make the experiment of suggesting TO Mr..
Lincoln his policy while promising him.
self TO see that IL was executed. and in a
moment, with great courtesy, hut greater
firmness, Mr.. Lincoln revealed in the pres
ence OF the cabinet his purpose TO make
himself his policy and himself TO execute
IL, and from that day his cabinet was his
servant.
Lincoln handled his cabinet with extra
ordinary tact. 1t became necessary to
make 4 change in the war department, and
Mr. Cameron instead of being sent into re-
tirement was permitted to 20 10 Russia as
the represeu .atiye OF the American govern
ment; and then followed revelation OF
Mr.. LinColn's supreme capacity in han
ding men.
Some three years before Lincoln was
nominated for the presidency he WAS re-
tanned rs original counse. IN an important
patent suit. Ii was & case involving a
great deal of money. Mr.. LIucoln's pro
iessionai pride was aroused, and moreover
he had the promise in case OF success OF Il
larger fee than he had ever earned. The
trial was TO occur before the United States
court sitting at Cincinnati. and il was
deemed advisable 10 call into the case two
or three other eminent counsel. one OF
these was q lawyer who had Won great re-
pute. especially III patent caSes-Edwin VI.
stanton.
Mr.. Stanton and some OF his associates
met in a hotel in Cincinnati and there for
the nrs. time saw Mr.. Lincoln. With
characteristic disregard of some conven-
tionalltieS, Mr.. Lincoln had appeared in
the hotel wearing = linen buster. The
day Was very warm, and he had per-
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