ged in many quarters, and it
was thought the State might be carried by him; but many were of the
opinion that his friends kept his name prominently before the public
with the hope of obtaining a cabinet appointment for him and thus
securing the influence of that section of the New York Democracy to
which he belonged. This was precisely the result that followed."--Morgan
Dix, _Memoirs of John A. Dix_, Vol. 1, p. 266.]

Dickinson, who had been a steadfast friend of the South, relied with
confidence upon Virginia and other Southern States whenever success
with Cass seemed impossible. On the other hand, Marcy expected a
transfer of support from Buchanan and Douglas if the break came. On
the first ballot Cass had 116, Buchanan 93, Douglas 20, and Marcy 27;
necessary to a choice, 188. As chairman of the New York delegation,
Horatio Seymour held Marcy's vote practically intact through
thirty-three ballots; but, on the thirty-fourth, he dropped to 23, and
Virginia cast its fifteen votes for Dickinson, who, up to that time,
had been honoured only with the vote of a solitary delegate. In the
midst of some applause, the New Yorker, who was himself a delegate,
thanked his Virginia friends for the compliment, but declared that his
adherence to Cass could not be shaken.[411] Dickinson had carefully
arranged for this vote. The day before, in the presence of the
Virginia delegation, he had asked Henry B. Stanton's opinion of his
ability to carry New York. "You or Marcy or any man nominated can
carry New York," was the laconic reply. Dickinson followed Stanton out
of the room to thank him for his courtesy, but regretted he did not
confine his answer to him alone. After Virginia's vote Dickinson again
sought Stanton's opinion as to its adherence. "It is simply a
compliment," was the reply, "and will leave you on the next ballot,"
which it did, going to Franklin Pierce. "Dickinson's friends used to
assert," continued Stanton, "that he threw away the Presidency on this
occasion. I happened to know better. He never stood for a moment where
he could control the Virginia vote--the hinge whereon all was to
turn."[412]

[Footnote 411: "I could not consent to a nomination here without
incurring the imputation of unfaithfully executing the trust committed
to me by my constituents--without turning my back on an old and valued
friend. Nothing that could be offered me--not even the highest
position in the Government, the office of President of the