Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-09-21
bTTIAND HERALD.
,,ovnAy, SEPTEMBER Is, 1865.
secretary stanton. .

cratitude TO EDWIN Nj, StahVoh' ~ "N'
4 ,s updaunted patriotism, his iron VIII
snd sleepless energy that in the latter
Avs Of Buchanan's administration, con-
tibpted most to defeating the destrnc-
tye plottings o: the traitors who sur
bundled that great yacillator ana 10
trriug at that critical period the scale
Il the countrys safety. 1t Is 10 the
same indomitable qualities of the same
M that we owe more than is yet gene
ully appreciated, for the safe conduct
ii the nation through the dark ana
gigantic periIs of the past four years
n WAS the man, above all others,
adapted to the position of peculiar and
immense responsibility he has held the
Remuneration and obloquy that have
haan specially heaped upon him by trea-
son-sympathizers, by luhewarm Union
,sts and corrupt officials, are his best
oocomiums and while it is impossible
tbot mn, man could have discharged the
antics of unparalleled magnitude and
dificnlty that devolved upon the Secre-
~ War in the last four years, without
committing some errors, history, at
lesst. will do justice to the grand quail
ties displayed and the heroic and in
estimable services rendered by Edwin
H. Stanton in the defence of the Union.
81 We are glad to see that a Major Gen
eral in the army, and an old Democrat,
ias taken occasion to pay a deserved
tribute to Mr.. Stanton. Gen. Daniel h.
Sickles made q speech at the opening Of
the American Institute in New York
CITY on Tuesday evening last, the fol-
lowing extract from which we make
room for and commend to the attention
OF our readers -
Here let me pause to pay tribute
10 one upon whom more than upon any
other public servant, have rested the vast
and varied responsibilities which the
conduct of our great war imposed.
When the Rebellion declared Itself, at
the close of the administration of Presi-
dent Buchanan, an eminent lawyer, who
had neither held office nor been con-
spicuous as partizan in politics, was
called into the Cabinet as Attorney
General his presence was instantly felt
In the vigorous measures taken to en-
force the authority Of the government.
AT the critical moment which followed
The occupation of Fort Sumter, when it
Seemed as if the government would
7yield to the audacity and vigor of revo-
ElutiOnary pressure, his fearless cOun-
E sels. his indomitable will, his sturdy,
Eloyal nature contributed mainly to that
|$rnodifcation of the pacific policy OF
president Buchanan which was follow
ed by measures to resist the further ag-
gressions of the insurgents. Toward
evening on one of the gloomy days in
the winter of 1861, the Attorney Gen
eral sent for one of the Representatives
b. Congress from New York, and in
formed him that unlees the public opin-
Ion of the North was instantly mani
fessed, the President would yield to the
demand of South Carolina and order
Major Anderson back from Sumter tC
Noultrie. 1t was decided at once that
an envoy should go to the principal
Northern cities and announce that the
president had decided TO maintain An
dersUn in Sumter at all hazards. Fire
some powder" said Stanton "all We
car do yet is to fire blank cartridges 8
thousand bullets and bale of hemp
would save us from a bloody rebellion
the President will not strike a blow; but
he will resist if he sees the temper of the
people demand resistance go and fire
some cannon and let the echoes come t
the White House" The next day salute.
were fired at New York, Philadelphia
Albany and other cities, in honor o
President Buchanan's determination t
( sustain the gallant Anderson con
gratulatory kilograms were sent from
prominent men in all those cities to thu
Pres tdent the corporate authorities O
New York passed earnest resolutions o
support. Several journals, in leadine
/ articles of remarkable power, indorseC
and commended the decision of tn
1 President. The next day the decision
was made. The next day the demand
h OF South Carolina for the evacuation O
Fort Sumter was refused it remained
i only for the South to recede or max
wa. President Lincoln was inaugu
rated, war followed.
Ihe Attorney General of Presiden
buchanan became after brief interya
the War Minister of President Lincoln
His electric influence was instantly fal
throughout the army, and all over tn
country. Commanding generals war
ordered to put their columns in motto,
and attack the enemy. The irresolutio
and lethargy which are inseparable frol
defensive policy vanished befo,
the universal initiative, inspired by
positive and earnest character. VIII
would neither rest himself nor allow tt
enemy OF his country to rest while III
means of attack We're in his hands A
bernatlng success and defeat-coloss,
yet indecisive Combats-enormon 90,
sumption of treasure-the probabiIi,
foreign recognition and aid to the CO,
IeoeraUon-increasing hostility to II
measures OF the Administration. final
eliminating in sedition, riots and r
volts-the defiant overture of aid ar
cemfort to the enemy, from public ion
mas and public men-these yera So,,
of the acsumulating embarra ssn,or, ,r,or.
that brought the Union cause to Ctr, tbn ~ :,
BIS OF overthrow, The dann.Io,- : - -