The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-11

was once a cabinet officer. but he was
Franklin Pierce's secretary of war, enter
ing n cabinet which succeeded that one or
ganizsd by his father-in-law, Zachary
Taylor. who was not of Mr.. Davis's polit-
ical party.
In 1860 MIR. Lincoln had before him a
greatee difficulty in selecting his cabinet
than any of his predecessors. He was the
first president of II new party, and this
rarity WAS composed of MANY elements
which had united for a single purpose.
Lincoln when he was nominated was far
less conspicuous q member of the party
than a number of other men. Mr.. Seward,
for instance, had been long in the public
eye, md his pre-eminent qualities had
been recognized even by his political oppo-
nents. Salmon p. Chase had been idolized
by a certain element which had come out
OF the democratic PARTY. Simon Cameron
was esteemed rs one of the ablest poll
ticlans of his time. These men and
some others had been conspicuous candl-
dates for the presidential nomination,
while he who seemed to have less personal
influence and no political machinery at all,
was chosen by the Chicago convention.
Thurlow Weed says that he called upon
MIR. Lincoln soon after the election and had
u long talk with him about the cabinet.
He was amazed to find that Lincoln, though
wholly unacquainted with public life, at
least from personal experience. had never
NA> - Af'hA Va S"S ~
ments and influences which should guide
him in the selection OF the cabinet.
He said to Mr.. Weed that no had deter
mined to call to his cabinet four men who
had been conspicuous candidates for the
nomination and who had received consider
able support in the convention. His theory
was that these men represented Influential
elements in the party, aud for that reason
should be recognized. He had determined,
he said. to nominate M. Seward for score
tarv of state. Seward being his leading
competitor. For secretary Of the treasury
he had fixed upon Gov. Chase. For score
tsry of war he had decided to appoint MIR.
Cameron, believing that he had special ex-
ecutive ability for that post. and for attor-
ney general he had fixed upon Edward
Bates, who represented the Western
| WING element, and was a very able lawyer,
with n strong support in the national con-
v%ention. He had about made up his mind
to appoint Caleb b. Smith, II man now al
most forgotten, but then one of the most
influential of western politicians. and a
| very brilliant stump speaker, to one of the
other offices. and that loft but two.
MIR. Weed has said hat he was amazed 10
see with what seeming ease this man had
solved n problem which seemed Mt first
sight to be so difficult of solution. Only
one cabinet Office gave Mr.. Lincoln anxiety,
for he had promised the vioe-president
elect, Hannibal Hamlin, that he would on
IL, - y cSShith ath II
New England member of the cabinet. and
Mr.. Hanlin had decided to suggest that Of
| Gideon Welles. OF Connecticut. Mr.. Lin
coin wanted someone who represented the
southern. or at least the border element
of the party. lie would not take
Henry Winter Davis, because. while recog-
nizing MIR. Davis brilliant ability, he be-
lieyed him an uncomfortable man, capable
of doing better service in the house. The
names of one or two Virginia wings were
~suRgested, but these were not satisfactory
to MIR. lincoln, and he finally hit upon
Montgomery Blair, who was II union-whig,
MIR. Lincoln did not think 10 necessary To
keep his purposes absolutely secret. lie
made no formal announcement of them,
] but he permitted his intentions to leak out,
I 80 that before he was inaugurated the coun'
try knew fairly we'll whom he would call tc
his cabinet, and there was great discussion
IA to which member of the cabinet would
dominate Mr.. Lincoln and tho cabinet M
we'll. The impression existed that eithol