Existing comment:
"A Compound Cabinet":
In assembling his original Cabinet, Lincoln strove to bridge party alliances. "The President is determined to have a compound Cabinet," concluded William Seward, the new Secretary of State. Reflecting the diversity of the young Republican Party, four of Lincoln's seven original choices were former Democrats, while three were old-line Whigs like himself.
"He wished to combine the experience of Seward, the integrity of Chase, the popularity of Cameron; to hold the West with Bates; attract New England with Welles; please the Whigs through Smith; and convince the Democrats through Blair." -- John Hay and John G. Nicolay, Secretaries to President Lincoln
Adversaries Turned Allies:
It was remarkable that the new president included in his Cabinet all his major rivals for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination. He must be on guard, friends told him, lest these recent adversaries eat him up. They were just as likely to eat each other, said Lincoln. |