Lincoln's Renomination How Simon Cameron Started The Ball Rolling--ben Butler's Narrow Escape From The Presidency

Harriaburg Letter to The Boston Herald. President Lincoln's fear that Ben Wade, Ohaae, Soward and other Republican leaders were organizing a movement to defeat hia renomination ia familiar history. Mr. Cameron was just home f rom Europe in the midat - of the Intrigue whioh eo di8turbed the Preadent He called General Cameron to his aide and recounted hia feara that the Eepublican leaders who were plotting agaiuat him would defeat him for aecond term. "It can't bo done," was the emphatio reply of Mr. Cameron when Mr. Lincoln had told hia story. "The sentiment of thia country is overwhelmingly fsi tiTi o i il i+ vrtitüf finí! fjvnracraírtn VqFaïa írtA convention meets." "How can it be done?" was the swift question of Mr. Lincoln. "Easy enough," said Gen. Camoron. "I remember Gen. Jackson'a first tenn, while I was building the Lake Pontchartrain canal into New Orleans, I was called home by Mr. Eaton, secretary of war, to assist in tho campaign for the re-election of JackBon. You will remember that Jackson had pledged himself not to run a second time, and the firat point to be gained was to decide what moans ehould be taken to remove this obstacle. We had a consultation, and it was suggested that aome state legislatura should start with a petition asking Jackson to become a candidate for reelection. This could be followed by others, until all the Democratie statos through their representatives had spoken in his behalf. His great popularity made thig an easy task. The legislature of Pennaylvania readily signed tho reijuest asked, and the other states followed in quick succesaion. l He could not, of courso,decline such a cali, and was re-electod. The people naturally supposed it was a spontaneous uprising in hia behalf, whereas it was a caremlly prepared plan to arouae, and direct public sentiment This can be done in your case, and we will begin with PennsylvaDia, as wedidfor Gen. Jackson. " "Do you think it can be dono, general?" said Mr. Lincoln. "Of course." was the reply. "I will show yqu how easiíy. " And the two then parted with Mr. Lincoln yery much pleased with the abiding f aith of his new ally. Mr. Cameron returned to Harrisburg; and in a day or two sent Mr. Lincoln the petition of the Pennsylvania legialature, asking him to be a candidate for reelection and pledging him the vote of the átate. Yery soon state after state followed this lead in rapid succession, and each additional recruit gave Lincoln great pleasure. It was not long afterward before General Cameron called at the White House on a reception day. Taking his place in the line he was pushing his way slowly to the place where the executive was receiving hia gue8ts. The latter saw Mr. Cameron soma distanco away in the column. Holding up his freat hand, encased in a cheap cotton glove, e indicated with three long üngers the succesa of their scheme and shouted: "Simon! We've got 'em ! Three more states in todav." The crowd looked at the president in astonishment, but they little knew how the receipt of the newa from those three states had reheved the mind of Mr. Lincoln. Another phaae of thia presidential contest of ISO! which is just now intereating and exceodingly apropos, followa the story of h w he waa convrnced he was to be chosen for a second luriu. Aller iiö waa síiubiiuii uiitL ui iiuiiuuation was a certainty, he was very anxious concerning the man who was to have tho second place on the ticket. After looking the country over, he decided that he would like to have Ben Butler on the ticket with him as vice president He sent for Gen. Cameron and aeked him to be his envoy in carrying his desire to Gen. Butler, who wás in command near Fort Monroa Mr. Cameron accepted flie mission, and he, with Henry Wilson of Massachussetts, went down in a government vessel to infonn General Butler of Mr. Lincoln's wishes. The meeting with General Butler, Mr. Canioron said, was exceeding pleasant, but whea Mr. Lincoln's desire was made known to him, his reply was : "I would not aocept a place on a Fresidential ticket with any man, although appreciato the comph'meut the president has done me in making the request " But for thia positivo declination of General Butler there ia ne doubt he would have been vice president, and succeeded to the presidency matead of Andrew Jackson.