Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-08-24
at the same time huge bite let them
wrlggle; can stand it l guess, If they
aan "


much excitement as on the day follow
ing the resignation of Mr., Chase as Sec
retary OF the Treasury. This step, II
will be remembered, took the country
entirely by surprise. 1t was known that
the finances Were in a precarious condi-
tion, and much anxiety was felt espe-
cially in Washington, as 10 the success
sorship. Mr.. Lincoln, without consult
alton or advice, so far as | could learn,
sent into the Senate the name of EXGov,
Todd, of Ohio, the afternoon of the day
Mr.. Chase resigned. This nomination
was not popular, and great relief was
experienced the next morning when 1t
was announced that Gov. Todd had de-
cllned the position. Mr., Lincoln passed
an anxious night. He received the tele-
gram from Gov. Todd declining the NOM
lnation in the evening Retiring he lay
awake some hours canvassing in his
mind the merits of various public men.
AT length he settled upon the Hon. VIM.
Z. Fessenden, and soon after fell asleep.
The next morning he went to his office
and wrote the nomination. John Hay
the Assistant Private Secretary, had TIA
ken it from the President, on his way TO
the Senate, when he encountered Sena-
tor Fessenden upon the threshold of the
door of the room. AS Chairman of the
Finance Committee he had also passed
an anxious night, and called thus early
TO consult with the President and offer
some suggestions. After few moments
conversation Mr.. Lincoln turned to him
with a smile, and said al am Obliged
to you, Fessenden, but the fact is, have
lust sent your name to the Senate for
Secretary Of the Treasury. Hay had
inst received the nomination from my
hand as you entered.
Mr.. Fessenden was taken completely
by surprise, and, very much agitated,
protested his inability to accept the po-
sition The state of his health, he said,
If no other consideration, made it i'm
possible Mr.. Lincoln would not accept
the refusal as final. He very Justly felt
that, with Mr.. Fessendens experience
and known ability at the head of the
finance committee, his acceptance would
go far towards re-establishing feeling
of security. He said to him very earn
estly: Fessenden, the Lord has not
deserted me thus far, and He is not
going to nOw-you must accept !" They
separated-the Senator in great anxiety
of mind. Throughout the day Mr.. Lin
coin urged almost all who called, to 90
and see Mr.. Fessenden, and press upon
him the duty of accepting. Among
these was a delegation Of New York
Bankers, whom l had the honor of in
Producing to the President. In the name
Of the banking community, they ex-
pressed their satisfaction at the nomina-
ton. This was especially gratifying to
him, and in the strongest manner, he
entreated them to see Mr.. Fessenden,
and assure him of their support"
MR.. LINCOLN AND SECRETARY STANTON.
Entering the Presidents room about
eleven O'Clock one evening, l found him
alone, seated at the long office table, with
large pile of military commissions be-
fore him, which he was signing one by
one. Sitting down beside him, he re-
marked, 81 do not, as you see pretend
to read over these documents I see
that Stanton has signed them, so con-
clude they are all right" Pausing here
he read Il portion of one beginning with
the name of the individual, e = is
hereby appointed adjutant. general with
the rank of captain, etc, Z. VI. Stanton,
Secretary of War" There, :" said he ap-
pending his own signature in the oppo-
site corner; that fixes him out" Thus
he went on chatting and writing, until
he had finished the lot; then rising
from his chair, he stretched himself and
said, Well, | have got that job hnsked
ont, now guess will go over to the
War Department, and see if there is any
news" At his request, walked over
with him, and | recollect thinking on
the way how exposed he was to the
danger of assassination by taking that
walk alone so late at highland yet it
was his common practice-often so late
as one and two o'clock in the morning.
GRANT.
During the battles of Wilderness"
last summer, for three nights he did not
close his eyes in sleep Much of the
time he was enough to excite sympathy
in the hardest heart. At length the
clouds lifted, and the sunshine came out.
He greeted friend with the words
at is all right. Grant is making his
points :"
About this time we were talking one
day OF the operations of the army, and I
asked him how General Grant impressed
him as compared with other command
ers. Said he "The great thing about
Grant is his persistence. He will never
give up so long as there is a chance in
the world!' How perfectly the result of
the campaign vidicated this Judgment is
now tho most UlorionS ,,oo,o i, -. =;