Washington Feb 9. 1855.
Dear Hamlin, A
much longer time has slipped by without my writing to you than ought; but you
know what my situation is & your charity will excuse me.
The papers, which are really hearty against Slavery, are, I
perceive, unanimous in urging my name for Governor, & I have assurances
from whigs and democrats that if I become the Peoples Candidate there will be
large support from the liberals of all sides. I appreciate these manifestations
of regard very — very highly. Whatever proximate results may be they bind me by
fresh ties to the Cause of Liberty & Progress. There seems now to be little
opposition to my nomination except with the inconsiderable number who look with
alarm or dislike upon the progress of our doctrine, unless the Kns1
shall take distinct ground against me. The opposition of the former class may
be safely disregarded — that of the latter will probably divide the People's
Movement if based on the ground that nobody is to be supported by the Kns
unless a member of their order.
Judge Spalding was here a day or two since, and sought a
conversation with me in relation to the Governorship. I was very explicit on
all points:
1. That the nomination and election would doubtless gratify
me as an endorsement of my course & a manifestation of confidence from the
People of Ohio.
2. That I could not accept a nomination or be a candidate on
any platform which did not represent my convictions. Of course, I wd. not
insist on the expression of all I wished; but the actual expression must be
right & in the right direction.
3. That in no case could I suffer my name to be used to
divide the opponents of slavery in Ohio; but, in case the Convention should
take ground on which I could not honorably act, I should regard myself as
having no present work to do in Ohio.
He seemed to have been a good deal under the impression that
the Whigs would not support me, because of the events of 1849, & to have
inclined to the idea that it would be best to defer to this sentiment &
nominate another man: but he left apparently determined to use his influence
with us.
Here the members of Congress all seem willing to support me,
except perhaps, Campbell. He manifests a disinclination to touch the subject at
all. I think he wishes to await the decision of the Kns. It is curious that he,
a Seward Whig, should be apparently the chief of the western Knownothings. But
strange things are happening now a days.
The elections of the last few weeks have produced a marked
effect here. Harlan, Wilson, Durkee, Seward, are all regarded as hot shot from
abolition cannon. Then the action of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin has
startled the politicians — & the Judges too — not a little — and now even
while I am writing comes the election of Trumbull in Illinois — Anti Douglas
& Anti Nebraska at all events & an election which in this [illegible]
at least a triumph. Everything indicates that the Antislavery Sentiment will
[go] on & on to its final triumph now. What part Ohio shall have the next
few months will go far to determine.
Write me soon & tell me all you learn. It seems to me
you have said enough agst the Kns, and had better hold up. Give them credit for
[illegible] in Massachusetts & wait till [illegible] if ever, to renew the
combat. My idea is fight nobody who does not fight us. We have enemies enough
in the Slaveholders & their aiders.
I write [illegible] about the paper.
_______________
1 The Know Nothing Party
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 269-70
