214 LESLIE M. SCOTT
ernor, Seward and Weed had neglected Greeley and had nom- inated Raymond for Lieutenant Governor. The latter, ad- dressed to Seward, terminated the old-time political firm, com- monly known as Seward, Weed and Greeley, and complained of the firm's neglect toward Greeley, in distribution of offices and recognition, during a period of nearly twenty years. The letter was an indiscreet one ; it betrayed a resentful spirit and it armed Seward's friends with shafts of criticism and derision for later attacks on Greeley. As already noted the real motive of Greeley's hostility, if it came from personal animus, and it probably did in some measure, probably was the favor be- stowed by Seward and Weed, after Greeley had borne their burdens patiently many years, upon Greeley's competitor in the newspaper filed, Henry J. Raymond. The Seward bio- graphers have been unsparing of Greeley in comments on this letter, particularly Frederick Bancroft in The Life of William Seward.
But Greeley's biographer, Parton, in concluding the chapter on this episode, remarks, in order to show Greeley's lack of personal animosity toward Seward:
"Perhaps I may add that, a few days after the election of Mr. Lincoln in November, 1860, I myself heard Mr. Greeley say: 'If my advice should be asked respecting Mr. Lincoln's cab- inet, I should recommend the appointment of Seward as Sec- retary of State. It is the place for him, and he will do honor to the country in it.' '
Oregon, though in majority Democratic, at the outbreak of the Civil War, yet gave its electoral votes to Lincoln. Its lead- ing Senator, James W. Nesmith, a Democrat, was one of Lincoln's stanchest supporters. Oregon was admitted as a State, in 1859, just in time to help elect Lincoln. The votes of its delegates in the convention that named Lincoln for President participated in the nomination. The distinguished men, Greeley and Thayer, whom Oregon called to the con- vention with its proxies, wielded an influence that was decisive of the result. The writer of this article feels justified in ac- cording to his native State an honor which history reveals as hers, and in giving to this article the title : "Oregon's Nomina- tion of Lincoln."
DOCUMENTARY
