[94] Charles Sumner, Works, Vol. 2, p. 144.
"It will be remembered that Van Buren, in his inaugural as President, pledged himself to veto any bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, unless sanctioned by Maryland and Virginia. Anti-slavery men took great umbrage to this pledge, and while Butler at the Buffalo convention was graphically describing how the ex-President, now absorbed in bucolic pursuits at his Kinderhook farm, had recently leaped a fence to show his visitor a field of sprouting turnips, one of these disgusted Abolitionists abruptly exclaimed, 'Damn his turnips! What are his present opinions about the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia?' 'I was just coming to that subject,' responded the oily Barnburner, with a suave bow towards the ruffled Whig. 'Well, you can't be a moment too quick in coming to it,' replied the captious interlocutor."—H.B. Stanton, Random Recollections, p. 164.
[95] "General Dix disapproved of the design to make separate nominations, thinking it unwise, and foreseeing that it would increase the difficulty of bringing about a reconciliation. But that he, a Democrat of the old school, should find himself associated with gentlemen of the Whig party, from whom he differed on almost every point, was a painful and distressing surprise. He was willing, if it must be so, to go with his own section of the Democratic party, though deeming their course not the wisest. But when it came to an alliance with Whigs and Abolitionists he lost all heart in the movement. This accounts for his strong expressions in after years to justify himself from the charge of being an Abolitionist and false to his old faith."—Morgan Dix, Memoirs of John A. Dix, Vol. 1, p. 239.
[96] Thurlow Weed Barnes, Life of Thurlow Weed, Vol. 2, p. 165.
[97] Thurlow Weed Barnes, Life of Thurlow Weed, Vol. 2, p. 167.
[98] F.W. Seward, Life of W.H. Seward, Vol. 2, p. 71.
[99] New York Tribune, September 15, 1848.
[100] F.W. Seward, Life of W.H. Seward, Vol. 2, p. 77.
[101] F.W. Seward, Life of W.H. Seward, Vol. 2, p. 86.
[102] Ibid., p. 80.