Diary of George Templeton Strong, May 16, 1860

Chicago Convention is in full boil and bubble. Strong opposition to Seward, but he will be nominated at last. That wily old Thurlow Weed, the most adroit of wire-pullers, seldom fails when he takes hold of a case in earnest. General Dix is to be Fowler’s successor in the post office. Butterworth of the assay office will decline the appointment.

SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, p. 27

Diary of George Templeton Strong, May 19, 1860

Thy Nose, O W. H. Seward, is out of joint! The Chicago Convention nominates Lincoln and Hamlin. They will be beat, unless the South perpetrate some special act of idiocy, arrogance, or brutality before next fall.

Lincoln will be strong in the Western states. He is unknown here. The Tribune and other papers commend him to popular favor as having had but six months’ schooling in his whole life; and because he cut a great many rails, and worked on a flatboat in early youth; all which is somehow presumptive evidence of his statesmanship. The watchword of the campaign is already indicated. It is to be "Honest Abe’’ (our candidate being a namesake of the Father of the Faithful). Mass-meetings and conventions and committees are to become enthusiastic and vociferous whenever an orator says Abe. But that monosyllable does not seem to me likely to prove a word of power. "Honest Abe’’ sounds less efficient than "Fremont and Jessie,’’ and that failed four years ago.

SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, p. 28

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, May 24, 1860

St. Louis     Reached St Louis at 6 A. M. went to Planters House and had short interview with Gov Morgan of New York. Also met Judge Bates & Mr Gibson there, and made an appointment with the Judge to meet him at his office at 11 O'clock. I then had a long talk with Gibson in the parlor of the Planters House, and at 11 he and I met at Judge Bates' office. The Judge had just recvd and read my letter of Tuesday—I exhibited to him the letter I had received from Springfield, and made an urgent appeal to him to come into Illinois, and make a few speeches. Whilst I was engaged in urging such considerations as I thought would be most effectual in prevailing with him, Mr Goodrich,¹ one of the Massachusetts delegates to the Chicago Convention, came in and united with me in the appeal I was making. But our efforts were unavailing. Judge Bates very emphatically declined to take the stump, saying that such a thing as one who had been before the convention as a candidate for nomination for the presidency taking the stump was unprecedented that he thought it would be in very bad taste, and incompatible with the dignity of his character & position, and that he must respectfully decline to do so that his situation was peculiar that he had been thought of as a candidate for the Presidency not because he was a member of the Republican party, but because he was a man outside of the Republican party harmonizing with it in political sentiments, and because it was supposed, therefore, that he could bring outside strength to the support of the party—that the platform, in the main expressed his sentiments, but there were some things in it unnecessary and untrue, which did not meet his approval, and mentioned particularly the clauses relating to the power of Congress over slavery in the territories, and the naturalization laws—that he felt no emotion of chagrin, or regret at not getting the nomination—that he entertained the highest regard for Mr Lincoln, appreciated and admired his character, and should rejoice at his success over any democrat who could be nominated, but that he must take a little time to deliberate as to the course proper to be when pursued by him, and that when he had reflected and matured his opinions he would write me fully upon the subject. I met Sam Glover and had a short conversation with him.² He thought Judge Bates ought to write me a letter for publication endorsing Lincoln's nomination, but he would not advise him, as he was a man of great intellect who thought, and acted for himself, and he had never known him make a mistake especially in a matter of taste and propriety

At 11 A. M. called on Mrs Bennett She was not in. At 2 P. M. called and spent an hour with Mrs Greenleaf. At 3 came on board Die Vernon on my way home Very hot day.

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¹ Probably John Z. Goodrich, born 1801. Elector on Harrison ticket, 1840; representative in 32d and 33d congresses; collector of customs at Boston, 1861-1865.

² Among the Browning letters in the Illinois Historical Library at Springfield is one from Sam T. Glover to Browning, dated St. Louis, June 13, 1860. This letter deals with the attitude of Mr. Bates. After stating that he (Mr. Glover) had recently identified himself with the Republican party, and felt considerable concern as to Bates's course, he writes of a call which he made upon Mr. Bates in order to elicit some statement as to his position. The letter continues:

"He then took out of his desk and read to me a most happy well considered eloquent letter . . . defining his own position as not a republican but as a whig & one who is from principle obliged to vote with that party as the conservative party of the country. He shows up the negro democracy in their native colors— He turns the other end of the Telescope on Bell & Everet and shows how small they really are He does justice to Lincoln & Hamlin & spurns the idea that any little feeling of personal pique can influence his conduct.

 

"The letter is truly a great one. It is as solid as iron and brilliant as jaspar. I urged him to publish it immediately     He did not give me a satisfactory answer . . .

 

"Can you come here     If not can you not write to Mr B a strong letter urging him not to postpone longer his promise to send the letter"

The letter referred to was addressed to Browning and was published in the St. Louis Democrat of June 19, 1860, and widely copied. See entry for June 19, 1860, post, 416-417 n. 3.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 410-2

Diary of George Templeton Strong, April 17, 1860

After an apology for a dinner, I went to [Arnold] Guyot’s lecture at the Law School. Well attended and very hot; lecture original and interesting. Thereafter discoursed with Guyot, whom I like, and General Scott, the most urbane of conquerors. Curious it is to observe the keen, sensitive interest with which he listens to every whisper about nominations for the coming presidential campaign.

The Charleston Convention will nominate Douglas, I think. Then comes the sanhedrim of the undeveloped Third Party. It is not at all unlikely Scott may be its nominee. In that case, it is possible the Republican Convention may adopt him. I wish things might take that course, but hardly hope it. Neither Douglas nor Hunter nor Banks suits me.

SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, p. 22

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, May 14, 1860

Quincy     Thundered & lightened last night, but did not rain—Quite cool this morning. Soon after breakfast took Steamer Hannibal for home where we arrived at 10 А. М. *At 512 PM took the cars for Chicago, to attend the National Republican Convention which is to assemble there on Wednesday. At Galesburg took a sleeping car, and had comfortable nights rest. *A great many going up-long train of cars & all crowded

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 406

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, May 15, 1860

Arrived in Chicago before breakfast this morning and stopped at Briggs House. Head quarters of our delegation at the Tremont House. We have had a busy day arranging the programme of proceedings. By request I went in Chicago company with Judge Davis and Tom Marshall to meet and confer with the Maine delegation; and at their solicitation made them a speech. Also called upon the delegation of New Hampshire     At night we received a message from the Massachusetts delegation, and called upon them at their rooms. I addressed them also upon the aspect of political affairs in Illinois

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 406-7

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, May 16, 1860

Chicago     At 12 Meridian the Convention assembled at the wigwam near Lake Street bridge, and were called to order by Gov Morgan¹ of New York, who is Chairman of the National Central Committee David Willmot² of Pa: was appointed temporary Chairman He is a dull, chuckel headed, Chicago booby looking man, and makes a very poor presiding officer. After appointing Committees with a view to permanent organization adjourned till 5 P. M. at which time we again assembled, when Mr Ashman³ was elected President of the Convention. I was designated by our delegation as Vice President for Illinois, but declined, and Judge Davis was appointed in my place. After appointing some additional Committees we adjourned till 10 O'clock tomorrow morning

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¹ Edwin D. Morgan, 1811-1883. Chairman of the Republican National Committee, 1856-1864; governor of New York, 1859-1862; major general of volunteers; United States senator, 1863-1869.

² David Wilmot, 1814-1868. Representative from Pennsylvania, 29th, 30th, 31st congresses; United States senator, 1861-1863; author of the Wilmot Proviso.

³ George Ashmun, 1804-1870, of Springfield, Massachusetts, member of Congress from 1845 to 1851.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 407

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, May 17, 1860

Warm day—The convention was occupied all day on credentials, rules and resolutions. The platform was adopted late in the afternoon, when we adjourned to meet at 10 AM tomorrow when we will proceed to nominate candidates [Leaf missing.] *My first choice for the Presidency was Mr Bates of Missouri, but under instructions our whole delegation voted for Mr Lincoln Many reasons influenced me to support Mr Bates, the chief of which, next to his eminent fitness, were to strengthen our organization in the South, and remove apprehension in the South of any hostile purpose on the part of Republicans to the institutions of the South—to restore fraternal regard among the different sections of the Union—to bring to our support the old whigs in the free states, who have not yet fraternized with us, and to give some check to the ultra tendencies of the Republican party. Mr Bates received 48 votes on the first ballot, and would probably have been nominated if the struggle had been prolonged¹

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¹ Browning's entries in his diary give a disappointing account of the work of the convention which nominated Lincoln, and of Browning's own work therein. Though he privately favored Bates, his influence for Lincoln, exerted according to instructions, seems to have been a factor of importance. Gustave Koerner, one of the Illinois delegates, has left an interesting account of the way in which the Illinois men worked to obtain support for Lincoln from the delegations of other states. The Bates forces were working hard to win over the Indiana and Pennsylvania delegations which were holding a meeting at the court house. Koerner states that he and Browning were "despatched to counteract the movement." Koerner urged Lincoln as a candidate far more likely to win the support of German Republicans than Bates. Browning, he said, spoke from the Whig standpoint, showing that Lincoln ought to satisfy the Whigs of Indiana and Pennsylvania, while his opposition to nativism ought to win for him the foreign vote. Koerner adds: "He [Browning] wound up with a most beautiful and eloquent eulogy on Lincoln, which electrified the meeting." After this the delegates held a secret session and it was later learned that Indiana would go for Lincoln at the start, while the Pennsylvanians would support him as a second choice. Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, 2: 87-89.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 407-8

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, May 19, 1860

At 9 A. M. left Chicago on my way home, and arrived at midnight, having been delayed several hours on the way. Gov Selden¹ of New York, who was one of the delegates to the Convention, came down the road as far as Batavia. He introduced himself to me, and thanked me, on behalf of the New York delegation, for my speech of yesterday.

I had a good deal of conversation with him upon political subjects. He thinks with great effort New York may be carried for Mr Lincoln, but does not regard it as certain. The delegation of that state was greatly devoted to Mr Seward, and are mortified and disappointed.

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¹ Henry R. Selden, 1805-1885. Lieutenant governor of New York from 1850 to 1858.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 408

Another Chair.

J. D. Meese, of Osseo, Hillsdale County, Mich., has sent, in charge of W. W. Murphy, an unique rustic chair to the Republican Convention. It is composed of thirty-four varieties of timber, representing thirty-three full-grown States and one in embryo. In deference to the memory of two great statesmen—Clay and Jackson—he has place two species of wood in it, ash for Kentucky and hickory for Tennessee, and for Kansas the weeping willow. He has so arranged the whole that they represent, as near as may be, the Union.

SOURCE: “Another Chair,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Excursion to Hyde Park.

Under the excellent lead of H. E. Sargent, Esq., of the Michigan Central Railroad, a very pleasant excursion party visited Hyde Park from this city, drawn mainly from the Massachusetts delegation. They passed several hours in the spacious parlors and verandahs of the Hyde Park House, extracted divers corks, and made the city in good style about 6 o’clock. Gilmore’s splendid Boston Band, who are to give their concert at Metropolitan Hall this evening, accompanied the party, and discoursed notes on which here is surely no “discount.”

SOURCE: “Excursion to Hyde Park,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

German Republican Documents.

The speeches of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Hon. Owen Lovejoy, Hon Galusha A. Grow, and Mr. Carl Schurz in the German language, published by the New York Deomkrat, can be obtained of Messrs. Erbe and Kapprueier, No. 63 Clark street.

SOURCE: “German Republican Documents,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Attention, Californians!

The returned Californians in this city are requested to meet at the office of J. T. Hoyt, No. 43 Clark street at a quarter before nine o’clock, to go in a body to the Tremont house at nine o’clock precisely, to be introduced to the California delegation. Every returned Californian in the city is particularly requested to be present.

SOURCE: “Attention, Californians!” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels.

This Company commenced performances last night at Kingsbury Hall, and all who desire to have a good night’s fun and a hearty laugh had better attend to-night. The singing is excellent and the jokes all new.

SOURCE: “Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

Banquet at the Adams House.

The returned Californians in this city give a banquet to the California delegation at the Adams house on Friday next. It is expected to be a magnificent affair.

SOURCE: “Banquet at the Adams House,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 6

All Republicans from Indiana . . .

. . . (except the delegates), are requested to meet at the Court House to-morrow morning, at 7 ½ o’clock. By order of an adjourned meeting.

E. Locks, Sec.

SOURCE: “All Republicans from Indiana,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Members of the Press . . .

. . . who have furnished their names to the Local Committee, will obtain tickets of admission to the Convention by calling at Room No. 4 Tremont House. Gentlemen of the press who have not registered their names, will please call at the Journal office before 9 o’clock A. M., and do so.

Chicago, May 15, 1860.

C L. WILSON,

J. MEDILL,

F. SCHLAGER,

Local Committee.            

SOURCE: “Members of the Press,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Michigan Delegation.

Head Quarters at the Adams House reception Parlor.

AUSTIN BLAIR, Chairman.

THOS. W. FERRY, Secretary.

SOURCE: “Michigan Delegation,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

Vermont Delegation.

The Head Quarters of the Vermont delegation have been changed from No. 2 Lind’s Block, to No. 5, the same block.

SOURCE: “Vermont Delegation,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5

The Zouave Drill at the Wigwam.

The United States Zuave Cadets gave one of their admirable and much admired drills at the wigwam this evening. Tickets free to all applicants for the same.

This drill is given at the request of the Citizens for the entertainment of the strangers from abroad. Those who received invitations to the last drill of the Cadets, as but few of them saw the drill, are again invited, the gallery being reserved from them. No gentleman will be admitted to the gallery unless accompanied by ladies. The Balance of the Hall will be reserved for strangers from abroad, who can obtain tickets at the different hotels. Such of our citizens as have friends from abroad stopping with them can obtain tickets by application at the Cadet’s Hall, corner of Randolph and State streets, or at this office.

SOURCE: “The Zouave Drill at the Wigwam,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 4, col. 5