New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-09
III.

For a man with such an ambition as Stewards
there could be no satisfaction short OF the Presi-
Gency 1t was a common belief as early 1S49
and 1850 that he expected to succeed Taylor.
but Taylors death and Fillmore's administra-
ton demoralized the Wings before 1852; while
Douglass move for the repeal OF the Missouri
Compromise disorganized parties and made 1t
important for the Republicans to select candi-
date in 1856 who was not out Of favor with the
different elements which 1t was necessary TO
attract in order to carry the election. Seward
was disappointed. but he felt confident Of nomi-
nation and election ir 1860. The next four years
were full Of trials and surprises. yet he main
tanned his supremacy with wonderful skill Be-
fore the Republican convention Of 1860 met at
Chicago, Seward seemed to have real COM
pettor. Even during the first two days after 1t
convened. those who were most Jealous for
one else had little confidence that Seward could
be defeated. But at last the friends OF all the
other candidates not only made bitter opposition
to him. but they also united in favorng Lin
coin. Seward had been such outspoken
enemy Of those who had formerly been Know
Nothings or Democrats Free Sellers. that
they were unwilling to accept him as a leader.
1t said at the time that he seriously
handicapped by his record both an anti
Mason and as an advocate OF sectarian schools
What was apparently the most decisive In
fuence the hostility Of the Republican CUB
ernatorial candidates in the States OF Pennsyl-
vania and Indiana. Both maintained that their
defeat would be certain II Seward should be
placed at the head Of the ticket. AS the cleo
lions in these States were to take place
before November II was regarded as especially
important that the Republicans should carry
them. Lincoln's friends made the most OF
the circumstances by promising a Cabinet posi-
ton to Simon Cameron and to Caleb b. Smith.
the men who respectively controlled the delega-
ton from each State.
The Sewardites could not restrain their dsap-
pontment on account Of the outcome Henry ].
Raymond returned from the convention via Au-
burn, and with Stewards knowledge ne made
public statement blaming Mr.. Greeley for the
defeat OF his old friend. Mr.. Greeley had for
some time favored the nomination OF Edward
! Bates. OF Missouri. believing that Seward had so
many enemies and was supposed to be such a
radical that 1t would be impossible to elect him.
He sat In the convention a delegate from Ore
gon. and had much to do with the combinations
which brought about the result. Mr.. Lothrop
conveys the erroneous impression that It was Mr.
Greeley himself who first referred to the fact
that he had written a letter In 1854 dissolving
the great political firm OF Seward. Weed and
Greeley. Mr.. Greeley had wearied Of partner
ship In which Seward received the offices. Weed
held the power and the third member OBJ
tanned merely theoretical or slight journalistic
advantages. Mr.. Raymond charged that Mr..
Greeley's attitude was due to an impulse for
revenge. 1t this and other POINTS which
led Mr. Greeley to tell the whole story. Mr..
Lothrop intends to be fair but he has not been
sufficiently careful. He also unconscously ex-
poses Weed by repeating what Seward wrote to
him Weed in 1854 about the Greeley letter Of
that year, and by quoting Weed declaring in
1860 that he had remained blissfully ignorant Of
that letter for six years 70 one doubts that II
was a great National fortune that Seward was
defeated by Lincoln. Perhaps Mr.. Greeley did
not always love those who opposed his political
advancement. 1t would have been impartial II
Mr. Lothrop had mentioned that Messrs. Seward