The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-25
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
Our Presidents and How We Make
Them.


This is a book Of some historical and
Of personal "reminiscences regarding some
notable events and people. The author.
Colonel a. X. Mcclure, the ~well-known
journalist. has been in touch with every
national convention for the last fifty years.
and has had a personal acquaintance with
nearly all of the presidential candidates
during that period. His book contains
much new and interesting matter concerp-
Ing the inside workings Of the various cam
paigns. with political incidents. quarrels.
combinations. factions. etc. from the foun-
dation of the government TO 1896. The early
campaigns and elections. beginning with
Washington's first term, are described his
torically. but the later ones. covering q
period of about fifty years. are described
from personal knowledge and participation.
The book abounds with personal reminis-
cences. Writing of Mr.. Lincoln before his
denomination for a second term the author
says: Il visited him several times within
a month OF the convention. in obedience TO
his kilograms. when he discussed only the
political dangers which beset him. He told
me hat his name would go into history
darkly Swallowed by a fraternal war that
he would be held responsible for inaugural
ing If he were unable 70 continue In office to
conquer the rebellion and restore the I'm
ION; Lincoln was human, as are all men.
ana a more anxious candidate l have never
known. The last time : conferred with
him on the subject was within two weeks
OF the meeting of the convention, and I
could hardly treat with respect his anxiety
about his denomination. He had given
close study 10 the election of delegates. and
1 called his attention 10 the fact that a
decided majority were positively instructed
Tor him. and that he certainly knew that a
majority of the others could not be di-
yerted from him. He had TO admit that
there seemed TO be no plausible reason for
doubling the result, but, with a merry
twinkle Of the eye. he said: We'll. Mcclure.
L don't quite forget that / was nominated
the first time by a convention that was
two-thirds for the other fellow Colonel
Mcclure says that Mr.. Lincoln asked him
to vote for Andrew Johnson for Vice Presi-
dent. and that his reason for desiring the
nomination of johnson was that he thought
the nomination of q man from a Southern
State, a recognized rebeliious state from
the heart OF the Confederacy, would con-
vince foreign powers that the rebellion was
prevent recognition OF the Confederacy by
England end France. Mr.. Lincoln had also
secured Simon Cameron's promise TO sup
port Johnson and eventually the Pennsyl-
Clure says that when he cast his vote for
Johnson, Thaddeus Stevens. who sat be-
side him. said: Cant you find a candidate
for Vice President without going down into
a damned rebel provincef" The author
knew Mr.. Blaine intimately, and says, He
was the most magnetic man / have ever
met He was close TO Blaine in all his
Efforts for the presidency. He says: II
saw Mr.. Blaine soon after the Cincinnati
convention of 1876, and talked with him for
an hour alone at the Continental Hotel,
and L will remember the sad expression OF
his strong face when he said: I am the
Henry Clay of the Republican party; / can
never be President" Again he writas:
Soon after Blaine's nomination in 1884, I
sent a brilliant stan correspondent OF my
paper. who had intimate personal relations
with Blaine. 10 stay with him at Augusta,
for several weeks One pleasant afternoon
they walked along the banks of the Penob-
scot river, when Blaine insensibly divertel
the conversation into a soliloquy. He said:
Clay was defeated in two conventions.
and he was nominted for President when
his competitor. was elected, and that COM
petitor was one who had not been publicly
discussed as a presidential candidate before
the meeting of the Baltimore convention OF
1874. i was defeated I'm two conventions
when i could have been elected. / am
nominated now with a competitor alike
obscure with the competitor of Clay He
then brought the soliloquy 10 a climax by
holding up his hand and repeating what he
seemed to regard as figures.
1S44-1SS4' Clay was defeated in 1874, and
Blaine was impressed with the belief that
he would suffer defeat in 1884" These and
other personal "reminiscences with which
the book abounds are not its most valuable
feature historically Each presidential con-
test is briefly reviewed. every platform OF
both organization is given. together with
all the ballots in every national convention
and a brief account of every convention
and administration. AS a handbook OF
American politics IL is very complete. There
is an introduction and brief sketch of the
author by m General Charles
Emory Smith. The book is published by
| Harper & Brothers.