New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-07
Isaac Cook.
To The Editor Of Tho N. Y. Tribune.


To The Editor Of The ~ y Tribune.
SIR In your article of yesterday entitled " Ike
Cook" you do the gentleman you therein refer to
the greatest injustice The telegram on which you
base portion of your article should of itself have pre-
vented the error 10 that respect for Isaac ~ Cook
is clearly different person from Isaac Cook. The
Army Register would also have set you Alright, for
Isaac ~ Cooke is there stated to have been born in
and appointed from Ohio, State in which Isaac
Cook never lived, but, on the contrary, is well
known to have resided, where he now does, in Chi
cago, Ill.,, though born in New-Jersey. In short
Isaac Cook Ike Cooh) is not and never has been an
army paymaster, consequently not defaulter in
that respect. lie has held no Office nor applied for
any under the present Administration, or since it
came into power; yet believe the political history
Of Illinois will show that Mr. Lincoln is more in-
debted to him than any man in the State Of Illinois
for his present position; / do not Of course mean
directly; for Mr.. Cook, while personally entertain
ing high regard for Mr.. Lincoln, always differed
radically from bin in politics. Yet the result
claim, was nevertheless Mr.. Lipcolns advancement
by such indirect influences politicians are aware
Often bring about the mos. surprising conclusions.
On calling your attention to the article in question,
consider your allegation of Isaac Cook being de-
lauliing paymaster as Of but comparatively little
consequence; that is easily corrected with the pub
lie; but you take the occasion to reflect upon his
official conduct while Postmaster of Chicago, and the
integrity Of his character generally especially in his
relations with the lamened Senator Douglas. That he
and Senator Douglas became estranged is we'll known
but that they were 10 is no more remarkable than
the similar cases of Mr.. Buchanan and Forney or the
Senior Editor Of The TRIBUNE and tie present
Secretary of State. Mr.. Douglas and Mr.. Cook
were for many years ardent friends, and depended
each upon the other alike for assistance and co.
operation; for believe / do the cherished memory
Of Mr. Douglas no injustice in saying that, while
Mr.. Cook made pretenslons TO that craftsmanship
ia which Douglas was 30 prominent, yet that the
latter could trace his growth and ultimate success
quite as directly 10 The influence means aud Datiye
genius of Mr.. Cook, Mr.. Cook could to any polti-
cal preferment which he received at the nstsaon OF
Mr. Douglas. might go further and attempt to give
the causes Of their subsequent differences, but they
would be as unntercstng to the public as they might
prove unacceptable to the friends Of either gentle
man. They trifiiog causes at first, that dare
saw neither gentleman regarded OF sufficient impor-
ance TO be WORTHY Of notice, which upder
certain influences became swollen to a pom
derous consequence and even beyond the
power OF both 20 remove; yet, for all that,
doubt whether either ever entirely lost bis regard
for the other; certain it is, in my opinion that
Senator Douglas never believed Dir. Cook to have
been guilty of the baseness toward him that you
alese, aud speak from a somewhat ultimate per-
sonal ncquaintance with Mr.. Cook, when say that
10 not believe be YES ever guilty Of baseness or
iieachery toward t. friend heis q honest and cor
dial in his friendships as any man ever knew.
Will reference to Mr. Cooks connection with
the Chicago Post Office it ia, believe, suieien. TO
say. that while Mr. Holt, then Postmasler-General
was believed to be, and Mr.. King, Fist Assistant
Pos rnaster-ic neral, was well known to be, au
enemy of Mr. Cook and when all tho combined
influence OF the Douglas party was exeIted for his
removal, and Lis Office filed will spies and subjected
TO repeated Investigations yet there never has been
adluccd one io,a Of proof, going 10 snow tOst Mr..
Cock was anything but an honest and faithful SER
vant of tie public The statement shat the Chic lgo
Post-Ofice became under Mr.. Cook den Of
thiovcs' is well enough refuted when |
state that most OF his clerks and en-.
ployces were retained over from the previous
Administration, and few weeks since. while in
Chicago, ! was reliably informed, that very many
Of Mr.. Ccoh clerks, including Lis highly respected
and efIcien, assistant, are sill retained. believe
all Of Mr.. Cooks bondsmeu were leading RaPuth-
cans of Chicago Including, If | mistake not, Mr.
Judd, our present Minister at Berlin, who ID re.
galied | believe both as an honorable man and a
somewhat intimate friend OF Mr.. Lincoln.
/ mey not be justified in aying much Of Mr..
/ Coos NlllOut his authority Tor Doing, bat will
not c'oec without adding that he bias retired from
POLITICS and seeks neither official station nor an na.
euyabe uotoFiety; that be is engaged in pursuis OF
the most honorable character though it il TO be de-
plored that they are go intimately CONNECTED with the
bur.res. pubc likely TO be ssriousls impaired by
,our article which has called forth this correction
trdsl, however, by prompt and generous rstrae-
tion yol may be able to undo iithe oil the injury
you have done Yours truly, JUSTICE.
See. ioyt Jan. ., 1853
-rs3~rr-s-sEs--sr 49, Ssr--s
vq,.ys,,. y l,lsrgeS In Jg',oJ-gyi.