From that time forward there began a renewal of disunion
threats, which, by their constant increase throughout the South,
prepared the public mind of that section for the coming secession.
As the chances of Republican success gradually grew stronger, an
undercurrent of combination developed itself among those politicians of
the three opposing parties more devoted to patronage than principle, to
bring about the fusion of Lincoln's opponents on some agreed ratio of a
division of the spoils. Such a combination made considerable progress in
the three Northern States of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It
appears to have been engineered mainly by the Douglas faction, though,
it must be said to his credit, against the open and earnest protest of
Douglas himself. But the thrifty plotters cared little for his
disapproval.
By the secret manipulations of conventions and committees a fusion
electoral ticket was formed in New York, made up of adherents of the
three different factions in the following proportion: Douglas, eighteen;
Bell, ten; Breckinridge, seven; and the whole opposition vote of the
State of New York was cast for this fusion ticket. The same tactics were
pursued in Pennsylvania, where, however, the agreement was not so openly
avowed. One third of the Pennsylvania fusion electoral candidates were
pledged to Douglas; the division of the remaining two thirds between
Bell and Breckinridge was not made public.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210