Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

“ Yes, because I shall vote according to what I believe to be the views of my constituents. How many times do you want me to vote for you before I may change my vote?”

“ Oh,” said he, “three times will be enough.”

“Well, Judge,” I said, laughing, “I will do better than that; I will vote for you five times, and then feel at liberty to change.”

“ Oh,” said he, “that will be more than enough,” and we parted.

My personal preference for President was Guthrie of Kentucky, who had been Secretary of the Treasury during Pierce's administration. Being well acquainted with him I had great reverence for him as a clear-headed man, of quick perceptions, of careful and conservative reflections upon all subjects, and of a well-balanced mind. And I further knew that he looked upon the preservation of the Union as infinitely beyond any question in regard to slavery, and that he was willing to sustain slavery but not at the expense of the Union. I have never seen any reason to change that opinion.

The committee on resolutions presented two reports to the convention, the Douglas and the anti-Douglas reports, and I reported, as a minority of one, the “Cincinnati platform pure and simple.” The first two reports were ably argued from the platform by the representatives of each sixteen States who favored them, but their propositions did not seem to be received with much favor. This course of procedure gave me an opportunity to argue in favor of my very minority report, and this I proceeded to do with all the power I possessed.

After the arguments a vote was taken by States on the reports, and to the surprise of all, the convention adopted the “Cincinnati platform,” which was substantially satisfactory to all the convention except South Carolina. In some way the delegation from that State seemed to see in its adoption the control of the convention by the friends of Mr. Douglas. That delegation also wanted there should be an explicit declaration in favor of slavery in the platform. When the platform was adopted the South Carolina delegation, headed by Governor Barry, seceded from the convention in a body, so that the State might not be bound by the action of the convention, and we adjourned for dinner.