The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-21

exercise of recollection, fdr he had for
nearly twenty years known; perhaps more
of the secrets Of Democratic Campaigns
than any man then living.
1t was evident that the senator had I'm
mind by that reply that an accidental ut
terance, a misunderstood expression, an
unfortunate sentence or needless letter,
coming from the candidate himself might
do more to wreck campaign than any
other influences encountered in it.
Ever since 1S44 campaign managers have
understood the truth contained in Senator
Barnum's utterance. Before that time the
danger was not 80 great that a candidate
could say or do anything that would cause
havoc upon the party which he repre-
sented. But in 1874 Henry Clay defeated
his party and wrecked his own ambition
to become president by single act, the
writing of a letter which became famous
as the Alabama letter. and which con-
words the seal Of defeat.
After Abraham Lincoln's nomination
the politicians who were to assume charge
of the Republican ca mpaign were very
fearful that he might commit some i'm
periiling blunder of speech. Governor
Morgan, of New York. who was chief
among the active politicians, was especial
ly apprehensive, and it was not until he
had had chat with Thurlow Weed that
he became convinced that Mr.. Lincoln
would be as wise during the canvass as he
had been while that extraordi nary politi-
cal strategy was being developed which
brought him the presidential nomination
The politicians were perhaps excusabie for
this opinion of Lincoln. They knew him
only as man who had a great gift of
speech, and who had laid down the prin-
ciples upon which the party stood in such
a lucid manner that plain folks had
thorough understanding of them, while
the greater politicians had admiration
for the skill with which he enunciated
them.
But Lincoln was no politician, they
then said. Why" said Thuriow Weed,
speaking of this years after, I'VE heard
that he had never even advised IN local
caucuses; he had never suggested can
dinate had never worked for one. He
had absolutely no experience in pure
politics, We were told. and we were, after
he was nominated. considerably con-
cerned over his course during the canvass.
He might say a single word which would
defeat US. and he might do something that
would put us on the run"
Being curious to see what manner of
man the candidate was and whether the
party would have reason to dread him
during the canvass, Mr.. Weed went to
Springfield soon after the nomination.
and IN after years he told a very interest
ing story about that visit. al thought"
said Mr.. Weed, that | was going to chat
with some rustic lawyer of brilliant parts.
who had everything in politics to learn
and nothing To- teach. | had therefore
various counsels in my mind to give Mr.
Lincoil. proposed to tell him to keen
his lips sealed, to write no letters and to
let the politicians manage his canvass"
After half an hours conversation with
Lincoln, Mr.. Weed said that he was per-
picked, SO that he said to himself: what
sort of a man is this? I cannot under
stand him." And it was probably the
first man Weed had met in all his political
career whom he did not fairly well com
prehend after hall an hours conversation.
At the end of an hour or two Mr.. Weed
no longer asked himself what sort of a
man Lincoln was, but on the other Land
he said to himself: '"fhis is the subtlest.
keeuest intellect that I ever met. He has
told me nothing. and he has drawn from
me ali that | know. Ii ne is shrewd
enough not 10 betray himself To Inc he
will take care OF himself throughout this
canvass"
II told Mr.. Lincoln just that" Mr..
Weed said as he was afterward describing
the scene, land 4 went back To our friends
in New York and said 10 them: This
man Lincoln may have had no political
experience, but he is wiser than any Of
us, and We need give ourselves no con.
Germ whatever about him during the can
vass. LII he SAYS anything lac will say
what should be said, and ne will say moth
ing else.
The politicians Of that day said after