Very little of
importance to-day at the Cabinet. Neither Chase nor Blair was present. Gen. F.
Blair made, I am told, a severe speech against Chase, in the House on Saturday.
It is unfortunate that these assaults should be made on political friends, or
those who should be friends. I shall be sorry if, under the existing
circumstances, Chase should be a candidate for President. If he asks my opinion
I shall advise him not to enter the field; but I do not expect that he will ask
my advice, he probably knows my opinions. Some of his training measures do not
strike me favorably, but I am sorry General Blair should assail them with such
acrimony. There is, however, a feeling of partisanship in St. Louis and
Missouri that is unsparing. Chase has, I have thought unnecessarily and unwisely,
identified himself with the radical element there, the enemies of Blair.
Old Mr. Blair called
on me on Sunday evening to look to the interests of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee,
his son-inlaw, who is uneasy lest he shall not obtain promotion. I told Mr. B.
that L. could not have the vote of thanks with the President's recommendation
without some marked event to justify it. That the higher appointments must be
kept open to induce and stimulate our heroes. That Lee was doing his duty well,
and, should there be no others to have earned the great distinction when the
war is over, he would be among those who would compete for the prize.
Judge Edmunds and
Senator Lane called on me on Monday morning for funds. Showed me two papers,
one with Seward's name for $500. On another was Blair's (Postmaster-General)
and Secretary Usher, each for $500, with some other names for like amount. Told
them I disapproved of these levies on men in office, but would take the subject
into consideration; I was not, however, prepared to act. Something should,
perhaps, be contributed by men when great principles are involved, but these
large individual subscriptions are not in all respects right or proper. Much of
the money is wasted or absorbed by the electioneers. I shall soon be called
upon by Connecticut men to contribute to their election, and I cannot afford to
comply with all the demands that are made for party, nor do I like the hands in
all cases which the money is to pass into.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 533-4
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