Franklin County: Alexander K. McClure to Thaddeus
Stevens, January 10, 1861
Summary:
McClure informs Stevens that Lincoln is reconsidering Cameron's appointment to
his cabinet.
Private
January10
Harrisburg,
Dear Sir
The secret is that Lincoln has been compelled to reconsider. The pressure is too strong. Had a letter from Lincoln yesterday, unmistakably indicating a change of news on the subject: but not positively excluding Cameron.
I urged Lincoln to appoint either yourself or Wilmot; but told him that Cameron
would be preferable to either [unclear: Pollack] or
[unclear: Reeder], as they would be but mere subjects of Cameron. I
pressed him strongly to take either Wilmot or yourself on the ground that you
both had a creditable national fame, and both were free from the disturbing
complications in our State. I put it squarely to Lincoln, why such
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an appointment could not be made. I told him also that if there were
unforeseeable objections I was entitled to know them as he had appealed to: me
most earnestly to help him to reconcile matters in our State. He finally
answered that General
Cameron would not consent to
any other appointment than himself in Pennsylvania.
My answer was -- that I considered that fact the strongest evidence that he was
unfit for the trust in a political sense.
I found that the Cameron retainers about Springfield, of whom Dr Leib &
Judd are the chiefs, are against you, & do not fear Wilmot. They
doubtless believe that Wilmot would go to the Senate;
but I found rumors rife there that you had an odious history in Pennsylvania politics. I think you
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have
been struck there as far as that element could do it; but I do not know that it
has to any extent succeeded with Lincoln.
Lincoln told me that to revoke Cameron's appointment now implied his disgrace hence his painful anxiety & hesitation. He doubted much that I said, as he had been led to believe that I was waging a personal war on Cameron and it may be that I was a little [unclear: taken] in power even beyond that when I went there: but I made the chances for credibility pretty nearly even between Cameron & myself before I left.
I think
Cameron is driven out;-- will know positively from
Lincoln as soon as it is determined. If he makes the change merely in deference
to the opposition sentiment of the State, he will not cloud Cameron by
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appointing any one in the State: if he becomes convinced fully of my bold
allegation, that the Cameron movement here was his own
movement, & managed by stealth while he was declining all the time to
[unclear: throw] honest men off their guard,
he will feel like resenting the trick, & either you or Wilmot will be
called. As things now are, I would think the chances in favor of Wilmot: but
that is not certain. Lincoln asked very specifically as to your position here
with regard to our discussions & I need not say that my answer was all
you could desire.
I think at all events Lincoln will not act hastily again.
I hope that the arch scoundrel of the State is thrown, & if I am entitled to any credit for it, I am willing to retire. I shall have done my State essential service.
Yours
McClure
When I hear from Lincoln again I will advise you attention by letter or telegraph
