The Lambertville record., 1912-04-26
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
When lincoIn's Son Refused to
Lead His Party.
Robert T. Was Urged to Accept Nom.
lnatlon for the Presidency in 1884,
But Declined Because of 10y
atty TO Arthur.
BY &, j, EDWARDS.

A few hours after the nomination
OF James G. Blaine for president by
the Republican national convention at
Chicago. in 1884, and the nomination
OF Gen. John A. Logan as vice-presi-
dent, the late Gen. James II. Hustled
came to my room and, taking a seat
by the desk at which ! was writing,
said to me: you needn't put it In your
dispatches that the ticket which has
Just been nominated is doomed to de-
feat; but tell you that 1t is and that
the Republican party has made a
grave blunder In nominating Blaine. :"
l heard what General Hustled said
with interest, because | knew that he
was one Of the best judges of political
conditions In New York state, at least
In the Republican party. He had been
many times speaker of the lower
house Of the New York state legisla-
ture; he was the intimate friend of all
the leading politicians of each party,
and he was always great admirer of
James G. Blaine.
Are you sorry that Blaine has been
nominated?" l asked.
Yes, | am sorry for his sake and
for his party's sake, because am con-
fdent he is doomed to defeat" was
the reply. And am especially sorry
because, but for one thing, we could
have named a candidate who would
have swept the country, whose nomina-
tion and election would have wiped
out all factional troubles In the Repub-
lican party"
Who is that?" l asked
Robert T. Lincoln" General Hustled
replied. Il can tell you confidentially
now that movement was begun IN
Illinois some months ago which had
for its object the nomination Of Robert
T. Lincoln for president by acclama-
ton by this convention after the first
complimentary ballot had been taken.
The movement had the support of
many of the friends of General Logan,
and am sure 1t would have received
the support of nearly all the leading
politicians of the Republican party had
the opportunity come to them to give
that support.
Months ago all of the strong Re
publican leaders realized that If Blaine
were nominated by this convention
Senator Roscoe Conklings friends In
New York would knife him at the
polls. ! myself am certain that enough
Of Conkling's friends will knife Blaine
at the election In November to cost
him the electoral vote of New York
state. You know, the quarrel between
Conkling and Blaine was never healed.
On the other hand, it was doubtful
whether President Arthur, il he were
nominated, could carry New York state.
So 1t was suggested early In the spring
of this year that we look around to see
IL we could not find some candidate
who would receive the support of all
factions of the party and who would
be certain to carry New York state.
From some of General Logan's
friends In Illinois the suggestion came
that we take up Robert T. Lincoln 1t
was a splendid suggestion; the move
ment that sprang from it made consid'
cradle headway, so that at last 1t was
thought best to put matters before Lin
coin himself. l think the better way
would have been to say nothing, but
at the right moment to have stamped
ed the convention for him. But per-
sonal friends Of Lincoln were asked
to approach him and lay the matter be-
fore him. This they did, and after a
brief interview with him they REPORTED