Evening journal., 1913-07-26
NEW MEMS OF YESTERDAY
When Lincoln Believed That
the End Justified The Means
B, aonsud.

In conversation which J had year
or two before the death of Harvey Far
iington he supplemented an anccdote
which had been narrated to me by
Charles A. Dana associated with the
desperate means which were taken TO
secure The admission of the territory
of Nevada as a state, in 1861
AIR. Harrington was extensively in.
terestcd in transportation of freight
upon the Hudson River and earlier
upon the Erie Canal. he was man
OF great wealth and was at the time
of the Civil War very influential in
Republican politics in the eastern part
OF New York State.
said TO Mr.. Harrington that ] had
been told by Mr. Dana that President
Lincoln was extensively anxious lest the
proposition that Nevada be admitted as
state should fail because it seemed
likely that a majority in favor of adj
mission could not be obtained ! said
furthermore, that Mr. Dana had said to
me that President Lincoln had intmat-
ed that he would back up amy offer OF
capitalists necessary TO secure votes in
the lower house OF Congress. but that
ne did not want 60 know any Of the
details OF the arrangement ] said.
Furthermore, to Mr. Harrington that
one OF the members OF Congress whom
IL was hoped could be brought over TO
the support of the Nevada bin repre-
sented district la the eastern par of
New York state ia which Mr.. Earring
ton himself was known to have been
very influential.
MIR Dana /, quite right in what he
said Mr. Harrington replied. "At
least, ! know FROM my personal knowl-
edge that one representative who was
opposed TO the Nevada state bill was
persuaded 10 vote for il because / my
self carried the proposition To him.
Lincoln was very anxious that Ne
vada should bc admitted as State, be-
cause It that were done then hc could
! rely upon two-thirds majority ia the
/ Scnate in support of constitutional
amendment prohibiting slavery in the
/ DISTRICT of Columbia and IN any other
Federal territory
"a poll of the House Of Representa-
! tive- was taken ON the proposition, aud
/ il WAS discovered that three or four
votes were needed I'm order % secure
/ the adoption of The Nevada state bin.
~ WAS in Washington at the time
/ aud Republican who was or great i'm
/ llucncc With the administration came
! 90 mo and asked me it WAS not an in
/ timato personal friend of cert,LBl
/ Democratic member who represented ono
/ u thc districts of the eastern part of
/ New York state.
81 told him that I was. and he then
said 10 me that IL I would go to this
momber and say 60 him that If h,
would name any offices which he was
/ anxious TO control those Offices would
! go 10 his candidates. but that il was
ospectrd that he would vote for the
Nevada state bill
Tho politician said. further
that President Lincoln did not wani
10 know i'm detail what promises haC
hecn made, but that he had said that
81 certain gentlemen came TO him and
asked for certain appointments M
would see that they We're made ant
would ask no questions.
"l did sec my friend, The Congress
man who told me he would bc glal
10 have two OF bis friends arpointe'
Co rather Important offices in the NeV
York customs house said 90 hin
that if the Nevada state bill were
passed his friends would be appoint
cd 10 was not necessary to say any
thing more. My friend aud two o
three other Democrats voted for tn
Nevada bill and passed out and eacl
or them got the appointments whicl
they were anxious 20 secure.
Lincoln kept faith. but he neve
knew I'm detail what arrangement
had been made I suppose lac tnOugI
that the end justified the means"
tCopyright, 1913. by Z. J. Edward.
All rights reserved.