Evening star., 1933-03-05

many friends in the South, and frequently car
ried en- negotiations with its leader for the Fed
eral Government. and 1t was through him
probably at his suggestion-that the command
of the Union Army offered to Robert e.
Lee at the beginning Of the War, the declina-
ton of which, judging by Gen. Lees own letter,
caused him at the time so much genuine worry
The old Blair home where the interview be-
tween Postmaster General Blair and Gen. Lee
took place, still stands opposite the White House
1t is occupied by Maj. Gist Blair. son of Mont
gomery Blair, who has collected around him
relics and treasures of his fathers service in
the great Civil War in President Lincoln's
cabinet.
William Dennison of Ohio filled out the term
Of Gen. Blair
Gideon Welles served as Secretary Of the
Navy in this notable cabinet, as he did through
out the administration of Andrew johnson.
Lincoln made this appointment, it is said. at
the request of Vice President Hannibal Hamlin.
since it seems to have been a courtesy in those
days to permit the Vice President to name one
cabinet officer.
For time Caleb B. Smith Mr.. Lincoln's
Secretary of the Interior. but was followed in
1868 by John P. Usher of Indiana, who died
in 1889 at the age of 70.
A N incident probably never forgotten by the
members of Lincons cabinet occurred in
the Summer Of 1864, when it seemed that
Mcclellan and not Lincoln would be elected that
Fall. Indeed, SO acute was the situation, that
so experienced and astute politician as Thur
low Weed wrote on August %: when 10 days
since, told Mr.. Lincoln that his reelection
was an impossibility, I also told him that the
information would soon come to him through
other channels 1t has doubtless ere this
reached him. At any rate no one here doubts
It. nor do see anybody from other States who
authorizes the slightest hope Of success"
Mr.. Lincoln felt the same way about It. re-
solved to lay down for himself the course of
action and on August % wrote the following
memorandum:
This morning, as for some days past. 1t
seems exceedingly probable that this admins
tration will not be reelected. Then it WIN be
my duty to so cooperate with the President
elect as to save the Union between the election
and the inauguration; as he will have secured
his election on such grounds that he cannot
possibly save it afterward."
He then folded and pasted the sheet. we are
told. in such q manner that its contents could
not be read and as the Cabinet came together
he handed this paper to each member sue
cessively, requesting them to write their names
across the back Of it.
"You will remember" he is reported as hav-
ing said, that this was written at the time.
six days before the Chicago nominating con-
vention, when as yet we had no adversary and
seemed to have no friends. I then solemnly
resolved on the course of action indicated in
this paper. resolved in case of the election Of
Gen. Mcclellan, being certain that he would be
the candidate, that I would see him and talk
matters over with him. I would say. General.
the election has demonstrated that you are
stronger, have more influence with the Ameri-
can people, than L Now let us together. you
with your influence and with all the execu-
tive power of the Government. try to save the
country You raise rs many troops as you
possibly can for this final trial, and I will de-
vote all my energies to assist and finish the
war"
When we stop to think of it, how fortunate
we are that Abraham Lincoln did not have to
approach Gen. Mcclellan as he had intended
doing. Truly, God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform -~~