Abraham Lincoln papers
From Alexander W. Meyers to Abraham Lincoln, January 31, 1861
Meadville, Pa., January 31, 1861
Dear Sir: — Since so much is being said and so much trickery is being resorted to in relation to a Cabinet appointment from this State, I feel it my duty out of regard to the party & our principles to address you on the subject, and possibly my protest may have additional weight when I tell you I am not an aspirant or expectant of any office or appointment whatever. I earnestly protest against the appointment of Hon. Simon Cameron to a position in your Cabinet, and for the following reasons: viz
First — He does not adequately represent the party in this State politically or intellectually.
Secondly. — His political record is stained by numerous instances of the worst corruption, & is by not means satisfactory to the body of the party.
Thirdly. — He has resorted to trickery deception & corruption to obtain the position & to obtain an expression of the party through the Press of the State in his favor, which does not represent the sentiments of the party towards him.
(These are general accusations (I do not enter into details as I desire to be brief.) but ample evidence of them to an unprejudiced mind is to be found in our present political history.)
And Lastly — We have a number of Statesmen — abler & better not open to these objections, — 1 upon whom the honor can be conferred, as Thaddeus Stevens, David Wilmot Thomas Williams, D. A 2 Finney, & numerous others.
1 ID: Thomas Williams was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1863-69) from Pennsylvania.
2 ID: Darwin A. Finney was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania legislature who briefly served in the U.S. House of Representatives following the Civil War.
Pennsylvania has been dishonored in the cabinet for the last four years by her representatives, & if she is now to have a representative then we want one who will retrieve her wounded honor, & not be a reproach to her!
Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.0695900 I mail you a copy of my paper with an article marked, which meets the approbation of the party here, & upon which I have been heartily congratulated by the influential men of the party.
Pardon me for intruding upon your time & patience, but I assure you I do it in the interest of the party & my country.
Verry Respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Alex. W. Myers
Ed Republican
Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.0695900