Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/28

 10 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS that New York should decide who was to be the individual. Daniel S. Dickinson, of that state, was most prominent in this connection; but internal factional divisions made it impossible for him to obtain the solid vote of that state, and Sec. Seward s friends feared this nomination would force him from the cabinet. Henry J. Raymond urged the name of Andrew Johnson, and he was accordingly selected. Johnson, in his letter of ac ceptance, virtually disclaimed any departure from his principles as a Democrat, but placed his accept ance upon the ground of &quot;the higher duty of first preserving the government.&quot; He accepted the emancipation proclamation as a war measure, to be subsequently ratified by constitutional amendment. In his inaugural address as vice-president, March 4, 1865, a lack of dignity in his bearing and an in- coherency in his speech were attributed to the in fluence of strong drink. As a matter of fact, the vice-president was much worn by disease, and had taken a little stimulant to aid him in the ordeal of inauguration, and in his weakened condition the effect was much more decided than he anticipated. This explanation was very generally accepted by the country. On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was assas sinated, and Mr. Johnson was at once sworn in as president, at his rooms in the Kirkwood house, by Chief- Justice Chase. In his remarks to those pres-