Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-17

- ---a-ANDnEw DnEdd CURTIN.
the former was due as much to Governor
Curtin as 70 any other man. "Though not
delegate" Rald Governor Curtin, 81 went to
the Chicago Convention determined TO do all
iu my power to prevent the nomination OF
Senator Seward. had no personal bias In
the matter, for at that tlme had not become
personally acquainted with either Seward or
lincoln. Iknew, however. in my own State
at least large part Of those who would sup.
port Bell and Everett, II Seward was nomi-
mated, would under othor circumstances
come to us. Ny sole opposition TO senator
Seward was based upon his want OF strength
In Pannsylyanla, as the natural result OF
defeat In that stnts IN October would have
been a National defeat In November.
among tho first gentlemen met aftOr
my arrival In Chicago was Henry s. Lane, the
Republican candidate for Governor Of In
diana. and John b. Deirecs, OF the same
State told thom what were my fears "a TO
tho consequences that would follow tho noml-
nation OF senator Seward. and thoy replied
that tho choice OF tho New York Senator
az candidate would prove equally tlisas-
trous 70 Republican chances In Indiana, and
the delegation from that State would vote
solidly for Lincoln as long Gs there was hopo
for his nomination. Together we visited tho
delogatoa az they arrived, and advised them
az to what, In our opinion, was tho wisost
course TO follow, However,. we found tho
majority Of thom inclined 10 support Seward,
aud whom tho convention met on Wednesday
Il was plain to DO seen that he was the
fayorito.
"An adjournment was taken over night
On Thursday the situation had changed but
little. aud had tho convention proceeded to
ballot on that day Senator Seward would
surely have boon nominated. Fortunately
for those OF us who oppoaed his nomination,
tho business men Of Chicago had rendered
tho convention boat rido on tho lake. Tho
temptation TO enjoy tho excursion proved
stronger than tho desire to ballot, and this,
coupled with some delay in the delivery OF
tho ballots, the cause OF which have now
forgotten, postponed tho voting until Friday.
Thursday night Lane and | again saw all the
State delegations and told tho delegates that
with Lincoln ~ the candidate we could carry
Pennsylvania and Indiana In October by
handsome malorltica, but that Il Seward was
nominated our defeat was certain.
'Aa one OF tho rusnlts OF our labors 1t was
agreed among tho Pennsylvania delegates
that after giving n complimentary vote for
General Simon Cameron on tho first ballot
their cntirc strength on subsequent ballots
should go TO Lincoln Tho ilrst ballot showed
lIS Ia votes for Seward anu 100 for Lncoin
On tho second ballot the Pennsylvania dele
CATION changed from Cameron TO Lincoln
causing an immediate and fatal broak IN tn,
limos OF the Seward men. Before tho ballot
closed the Vermont and Now Jcraey Delegates
among whom we bud dono effective work the
night before, deserted Seward Tor Lincoln
and tho announcement Of the vote showed
isi IL votes for Seward and ISL for Lincoln
Changos to Lincoln followed each other In
rapid succession during tho progress OF thu
third ballot. and before Il was endod Lincoln
had 2Si Ia votes. 293 being required TO nom.
mate. Then four OF tho Ohio delegate.
changed to lincoln, assuring his nomination
aud before the ballot closed S5i ont OF the li(
delegates Ind declared nhls favor. william
NJ. Eyarts, Henry J, Raymond and Thurlou
Weed. the Seward leaders, who had boon con,
ildent OF his nomination until the last wor,
amazed and dunbivundel at tho result but
Eyarts promptly moved that I.lncoln's nonl.
nation should DO made unanimous, and with
mo enthusiasm that usually attends M
event of the kind the motion was carried
in Pennsylvania President Lincoln 70
cured half Of tho Democratic faction upor
which the Bell and Everett Leaders had con
ildently rolled. aud his nomination proved
as had all along believed that It would, III,
very strongest that could have boon made"
Inauguratcd in january. 1861, 0overno,
Curtin was compelled at the very outset o.
his administration 10 meet tho graycst no
sponsibllities, and TO cope with the mos
vital questions that tan arise In tho histor,
Of a FREQ people. but he proved equal to ever,
task, meeting each emergency that arcs,
during the ak years he occupied tho guber.
Material chair with tlroless patriotism
unfaltering courage. and prompt and unerrlng
Judgment, which mated him as worthy &
take rank among the frst. II not as tho yer,
nrst, Of tho little group OF truly great mor
who governed the loyal a,Ntos nom 1850 tc
1866.
The import OF tho events which followed
the electioa Of President Lincoln was pialr
70 him from tho first. aud the sr--Ady comm,