The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-30
PAGE OF HISTORY RECALLED
The Attempt of Certain Public Men to
Prevent the denomination of Lincoln.
They Declared His Re- Election Impossible
and Assailed His Administration. but the
Voting Showed His Great Strength.

by the chapter of the Nicolay-Hsy history
of Abraham Lincoln. devoted to the Pome-
roy circular and the efforts of certain
prominent Republicans to prevent the re-
nomination of Mr.. Lincoln. even to the
holding of q convention and nomi-
mating an independent ticket before
the regular Republican national con-
ventlon. One cannot read that chapter
without being impressed with two great
facts. namely, the inability of q class of
public men to appreciate the sentiment of
the masses, and that history repeats it
self" The inspiration of this bitter and
relentless attack upon Lincoln to defeat
his nomination on the ground that bis adj
ministratIon was q failure and that the
people had no confidence in him. seems to
have been the same. in q much milder form.
which leads certain men to deprecate the
denomination of President Harrison. Look
ing back to it now. when the pu bile careers
of all the men who attacked Lincoln can
be judged by their completion. one hnds
that personal pique. failure to CON
troll patronage. TO have favorites
placed IL of armies, and to be
consulted in regard to the general
policy of the administration were the
causes which led to the assault. upon Lin
coin. which will stand out as the most
determined and relentless ever made upon
cal party. OF course. there were
men who honestly disagreed with
the policy of Mr.. Lincoln men
like Wendell Phillips on the one
to destroy slavery and nothing else. and
men ON the other side who opposed him be-
cause he had issued the Emancipation
Proclamation as u war measure.
THE e CIRCULAR.
The one formal attack upon Mr.. Lincoln
was a secret circular senG out in large
numbers to ali parts of the coun-
try by Senator Pomeroy. of Kan
sas. in February. 1864. 1t was
known as the "Pomeroy circular"
The Senator had not been able to control
all the patronage he coveted. hence his hos
tility 10 President LOncOln. Considering
the reputation OF Mr.. POmeroy In subse-
quent years. the high political morality of
the circular might afford an OK cuse for
sarcastic comment. but that the readers of
to-day may understand the grounds upon
which Mr.. Lincoln was assailed by the
Pomeroy coterie. the main portions of it are
given:
The movements recently made throughout the
country TO secure the denomination of President
Lincoln render necessary counter action on the
part OF those unconditional friends OF the Union
who differ from the policy of the administration.
SO long as no efforts were made to forestall the
political action of the people, 1t was both wise
and patriotic for all true friends OF the govern
ment TO devote their influence to the suppression
OF the rebelli0n; but when it becomes evident
that party aud the machinery OF official influence
| are being used to secure the perpetuatiOn of the
present administration, those who c~0nscien-
tiously believe that the interests of the country
and OF freedom demand a change In favor OF
vigOr, and purity. and nationality have no choice
hut TO appeal at once to the people before 1T is
too lafe to secure q fair discussion or principles.
Those in behalf Of whom this appeal is made
have thoughtfully surveyed the political field.
and have arrived at the following conclusions:
First, that even were the reelection of Mr.. Lin
coin desirable, 1t is practically impossible
against the union of influences which will oppose
him. Second. that should he be reelected. his
manifest tendency towards compromises and
temporary expedients OF policy will. become
stronger during a second term than it has been
in the first. and the cause OF human liberty. and
| the dignity of the Nation, suffer proportionatcly,
while the war may continue to ~languish during
his whole administration, till the public debt
shall become a burden too great to be borne.
Third. that the patronage OF the government,
through the necessities of the war, has been so
NOUS extent. and so loosely placed. as
to render the application OF the oDe-term
principle absolutely essential to the certain safety
OF our Republican Institutions. Fourth. that
we find united in Hon. Salmon Z. Chase more OF
the qualities needed i'll u President during the
next four years than are combined in any other
available candidate. His record is clear and un-
impeachablc, showing him TO he a statesman OF
rare ability and an administrators of the highest
Okhtip "hito bhc paw ~ "a "a iAAbhNo tbo
surest available guarantee of economy and pur-
iy In the management of public affairs. Fifth
already commenced by the friends Of Mr.. Lin.
coin, has developed a popularity and strength in
Mr.. Chase unexpected even to his warmest ad-
mirers; and While we are aware that It's strength
is at present unOrganized, and i'll no condition
to manifest Its real magnitude, we are satisfied
that 1t only needs a systematic and faithful effort
to develop il 10 an extent sufficient to overcome
all opposing obstacles. For these reasons
the friends of Mr.. Chase have determined on
measures which shall present his claims fairly
and at once TO the country. A central organize
ton has been effected, which already has its con-
nections in all the States. and the object OF
which is to enable his friends every where most
etectually To promote his elevation to the presi-
dency. We wish the hearty cooperation Of all
those who are In favor of the speedy restoration
and who de sire an administration OF the govern
ment during the first period OF its new life which
shall to the fullest extent develop the capacity
Of free institutions, enlarge the resources Of the
country, diminish the burdens of taxation, ele-
ity. vindicate the honor Of the Republic before
the world, and In all things make our American
nationality the iairest example for imitation
Here the Republicans. to whom that
circular was sent. are told that the cleo
ton of Mr.. Lincold 'Is practically i'm
possible against the union OF the influences
which will oppose him." Indeed. it was
given out as settled beyond question that
the people would not vote for Mr.. Lincoln.
This was the main reason urged for setting
Mr.. Lincoln aside. Doubtless Mr.. Pomeroy
and his co.laborers sincerely held this
view. All of their friende to whom MIR.
Lincoln would not and could not give
Offices were of the same opinion. Yet all
81 bsequent testimony goes to show that.
with the mass of patriotic people. those
who were laboring to bring the wal to q
close. who loved their country and cared
not tor postofiice, had an nhectionate con.
tdeDce IN Lincoln with striking unanimity;
but because those millions had no means
of expressing their views until the voting
should take place. they were accounted
against him.
CHASE'S ENMITY.
The wonder now is that MI. Liucoln's
denomination was not defeated. The army
of the disappointed was never so large,
and the number who found fault with the
policy embraced many of the most infiu'
entail men in Congress and in the country
One of the most effective assailauts of Mr..
Lincoln was q member of his own Cabinet,
q man who was consumed with q desire to
be Observation-Disclosures Chase. During
the entire previous year Secretary Chase
wasIwrItlng letters to his friends like the
folio wing:
Had there been here an administration in the
true sense OF the word-a President conferrins
with his Cabinet and taking their united iudg
economy and energy in all departments of pun
lie serylce-we could have spoken boldly and
defed the world. But our condition here ha:
always been very different. L preside over tile
funnel: everybody else, and especially the Sec
retaries of War and the Navy, over the spigots-