The Washington herald., 1908-02-16
WORKED FORLINCOLN
Curtin and Lane Made NOmi-
nation Possible.
HELD Two OCTOBER" STATES
Candidates for GOveFn0rshiD in
Pennsylvania and Indiana Feared
Republicans at Chicago in 1860.
Threatened TO Support Democrats.

inc story or the great Republican con-
vention OF 1850 has been told many times,
and by many writer's, but It has not so
often been told how that result was fore
&c upon the unwilling leaders OF the new
Republican party by two men. and those
not the two men generally credited with
winning the nomination OF Mr.. Lincoln.
To David Davis and Leonard J. SWEET
has generally been accorded the credit
above all others Of securing Mr.. Lincoln's
nomination. 1t IS true they were the
managers Of ths Lincoln campaign, and
were able and skillful managers, but TO
Andrew J. Curtin, Of Pennsylvania. and
Henry S. Lane. of Indiana. must be ac-
corded the main credit for the successful
termination Of the campaign. And there
by hangs story.
NJ. Curtin was the Republican candl-
dI = for governor of Pennsylvania. and
Henry S. Lane for governor OF Indiana.
Pennsylvania and Indiana at that time
were known as October States" that is,
their elections for State officers took
place in the October preceding that OF a
President IN November Both States
were regarded as exceedingly doubtful.
and Il was well known that which ever
way they went in October would have
n very great influence on the other
States n November.
Remnant Holds Power.
In each OF the States was a large eIe-
ment Of the decaying Know-nothing
uartv- orE +Eat rer,r,rt hid tNo H.1
ance Of power IN each State. Mr.. Seward
was far in the lead In the race for the
Presidential nomination. and was fav0r-
ed By nearly all Of the leaders Of the
party, and but few doubted that he would
be the nominee. He was very obnoxious
to the Know-nothings, owing to certain
actions OF HIS while governor OF New
York IN regard 20 the school money.
Mr. Curtin felt sure that with Seward
as the candidate, he would be defeated
for governor in October so he determined
at the convention, If possible. He open
ed a correspondence with Mr.. Lane. Of
Indiana, and found that he felt that the
kHow-nOthings Of that State would join
the Democracy. and thus give the State
10 the Democrats If Seward became the
Republican candidate for President. but,
On the other hand, il some one else
should be nominated, the Know nothing
vote wquld be divided the larger part
the Republicans. owing 10 their
opposition to the further extension Of
slavery
Several consultations were held By the
two 70 see i they could agree upon some
candidate who could successfully contest
with Mr. Seward.
Far apart at First.
At first they were far apart. Mr.. Cur
tin fayoring Salmon p. Chase, Of Ohio,
while Mr.. Lane favored Judge Bates. Of
Missouri. Curtin had one obstacle in
his own State, in that Simon Cameron
was an aspirant for the nomination, but
believed he could force the Pennsylvania
delegation 10 support someone else.
Mr.. Curtin did not know Mr.. Lincoln.
except through the reputation he had
made by his debate with Douglas. and
by his Cooper Institute speech. but he
had heard many stories Of hts uncouth-
ness and Of his lack OF education, and
he feared Il President. he would not
measure up to the standard the coun-
try would require. Lane knew Lincoln
and while recognizing his
really great abilities as a political orator.
also feared he would not have strength
OF character enough TO meet the crisis all
saw was coming in case a Republican
were chosen President
Curtin believed that with Chase as the
candidate he could carry Pennsylvania,
but Lane was not certain OF Indiana
even with Bates After carefully study
ing the whole field and all the chances,
they finally reached the conclusion that
the best chances were with Lincoln; that
with him an enthusiasm might be aroused
that would carry both States. and they
would have to trust TO his surrounding
himself with an able Cabinet TO meet the
that would arise
Consult LincOIn's Friends.
Having reached this conclusion. they
began consulting with Lincoins friends
In Illinois. and TO their establishment
learned that there was soms friction in
that State, and that It was not certain
the entire delegation would be heartily
for Mr.. Lincoln, at least after = compli- /
mentary vote or two. They told Davis
and SWEET that IL they would hold the