We had not a
protracted Cabinet meeting nor any specially interesting topic. I had thought
the subject of the call for the convention, which appeared in this morning's
paper, might be alluded to either before or after the business session, but it
was as studiously avoided as if we had been in a Quaker meeting. There is no
free interchange nor concurrence of views. Stanton is insincere, more false
than Seward, who relies on expedients. Blair tells me he likes the call and
thinks it will be effective. This inspires me with more confidence, for I had
doubted whether he and men of his traits and views would acquiesce in it,
particularly in its omissions. He does not apprehend the difficulty from Seward
and Weed which has troubled me, for he says the President will cast Seward off
and Stanton also. I had long seen that this was a necessity, but continued
delay has disheartened expectation. Whether Blair has any fact to authorize his
assertion, I know not. I can suppose it certain as an alternative. Stanton is
unfaithful and acting secretly with the Radicals. He has gone. Either Seward
must be discarded or the people will discard both him and the President. The
latter does not realize that he is the victim of a double game, adapted to New
York intrigues.
The papers state
that the Senate of Connecticut adopted the Constitutional Amendment at midnight
yesterday. This does not surprise me, yet had the President showed his hand
earlier, the result might have been different in that State. But Seward, Weed,
Raymond, and company are satisfied with this Radical Amendment. The latter
voted for it. Weed has given it a quasi indorsement, and I do
not remember to have heard Seward say a word against it. He hastened off a
notice to Connecticut and the other States as the Radicals wished, without
consulting the President or any member of the Cabinet. There has not been in
Connecticut, or elsewhere, any deliberate, enlightened, intelligent, or
comprehensive discussion of this measure, but a paltry, narrow, superficial
talk or rant, all of the shallowest and meanest partisan character.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, pp. 541-2
