Evening journal., 1912-04-02
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Bit of Unwrltten History
of the Second Lincoln
Campaign
By Holland.

In 1864 some opposition to the re-
nomination and recollection Of Abra-
ham Lincoln was voiced by what was
thought to be strong radical element
in the Republican party. This element
was dissatisfied with Lincoln because
It was felt that he did not act in
sympathy with the Abolitionists, not
withstanding the fact that Lincoln
had issued the Emancipation Procla-
nation. The radicals said that Jim
coin should have justified his act not
as n war measure exclusively, but be-
cause it was inspired by hostility TO
slavery.
This element called a convention to
be held al Cleveland, Ohio, in the early
fall of 1864 The convention nOminat-
ed James Cochrane for Vice-Presi-
dent Fremont had become the idol of
the Abolition element of the Republic
can party because he had early in the
war set the slaves free, or tried TO,
in the military district of Missouri
over which he was in command Linz
coin Immediately revoked Fremont's
action.
John Cochrane was nephew Of Gar
| rit Smith, who was a very prominent
Abolitionist, and for some years one OF
the most intimate friends Of John
Brown. Therefore, Presidential
ticket at the head of which stood
John G. Fremonts name, with that of
John Cochrane's in second place, was
of itself a sufficient platform, since
these two men were known to be radi-
cal Abolitionists.
Lincoln himself was for a time con-
| siderably disturbed over these nomi-
nations. He feared that the ticket
would receive support enough in some
States to cause a majority TO be given
for George B. Mcclellan, the Demo
cratic candidate for President, by
those States
A few weeks before the election. il
was announced that Montgomery
Blair, who became postmaster general
on LincOlns inauguration, had re-
signed. The only explanation given for
this resignation was that Mr. Blair
being in poor health, was anxious 10
retire to his country residence at sill
yer Springs. a few miles north of the
City of Washington Shortly after the
resignation of Montgomery Blair. Ere
mont withdrew from the adolitionist
or radical Republican Presidential
ticket, and with his withdrawal the
whole movement collapsed There is
inside history connected with these |
two incidents of which was informed |
during the administration Of Presi- |
dent Arthur
Cow, ft.,,, rofI,rtstt,~ III, fff,r,
of Fremont for President a very
prominent Republican called upon
President Lincoln and said:
"Nr President, do not know
whether you are aware Of the fact
that General Fremont entertains the
most violent personal dislike for your
postmaster general Montgomery
Blair. II is my impression that Fre-
mont attributes your action in revok-
ing his proclamation of emancipation
inMissouri TO the influence of Frank
Blair Of st. Louis Ohe Union leader
in Missouri to the influence of Frank
wary and Montgomery Blair. his bro
ther Now. have been assured that,
in case Mr. Blair could be induced
to withdraw from your cabinet. then
! General Fremont would withdraw
! from tho Presidential ticket recently
nominated at Cleveland If he docs
withdraw, then the movement will col
/ lapse
Lincoln at this interview said moth
| ing that led his friend 20 suspect that
he had been in any way impressed by
what had been told him. This friend
did learn. however. that little later
the President and Mr. Blair were i'm
a long conference at the White House.
The presumption was that Mr.. Lin
coin told the postmaster general what
the situation was. leaving il to Blair
to act as he thought best Mr. Blair
did act. and so acted that Fremont
promptly Withdrew from the Presi-
dental ticket, and the recollection OF
lincoln In 1864 was from that moment
assured
! This was assured was p bit Of un-
written history and II explains what
10 many at the time was tho mystery
Of Fremont's withdrawal from the
! Cleveland Presidential ticket
/ Copyright. 1912. by p. j Edwards
All rights reservedD
Tomorrow Mr. Edwards will tell Of
AN Abolitionist Who Ran for Presi-