John M. Forbes called. After talking on one or two subjects
he spoke of the National Convention and his regret that the call was so early,
and asked me as one of the committee to reconsider the subject. Told him I
would hear and consider anything from him, but that my mind was deliberately
made up, and I thought the sooner the nomination was made, the better united we
should be. He went over the usual ground, — if the summer campaign was
unfortunate, etc., etc., how could we change our candidates? I answered we did
not intend to be unfortunate, but if we were, I could not see how any different
candidate would help the Union cause. Reverses might strengthen the
Copperheads.
He then talked of the President, — his want of energy, decision,
promptness, in consequence of which the country suffered. It was evident from
what I gathered that Mr. Forbes wanted another candidate than Abraham Lincoln, and
hence he desired delay. Forbes means well. His heart is right. He is shrewd and
sagacious, but men betray their feelings and partialities unavoidably. I have
no doubt he desires to have Mr. Chase a candidate, though he speaks of only Ben
Butler, whom he dislikes.
Cautioned Fox to beware of yielding to the suggestions and
opinions of detective Olcott, unless fully satisfied by facts in his
possession. Mr. Wilson, the counsel, must advise in these matters, and nothing
be done in the way of seizure and arrest but by Mr. Wilson's direction.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 —
December 31, 1866, p. 4-5
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