Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-05-15
Secretary stanton and ErIs wsy

anecdote OF secretary stanton, wnlcn ac-
counts in part for the success of Lieuten-
ant General Grant in succeeding better
with the Army Of the Potomac than his
predecessors.
1t also contains the admission of the late
President, that himself and Secretary Stan
ton had, for two years and half, taken
the management of the army of the Poto-
mac out Of the hands of General Grants
predecessors:
"When General Grant was about to leave
Washington 10 enter upon that Sublime cam
pRign which began with the battle Of the Viii
derness, and ended with the downfall of the
rebellion, he called upon Secretary Stanton
to say good by. The Secretary was anxious
y awaiting him. Daring the two and a halt
years that President LincOln and Secretary
Stanton had managed the Eastern armies, il
was the first point IA their plans to keep WASH
ington heavily garrsoned with troops, Large
bodies OF men were stationed in the fortlhca-
tions around the city and other large bodies
we're kept within supporting distance. Now
that Grant had come into power, Stanton wan
ted 10 see that the defense of Washington was
not overlooked. Accordingly after few pre-.
liminares, the Secretary remarked:
"Well, General suppose you have left me
enough men to strongly garrison the iorts2'
"No," said Grant coolly. II cant do that"
"Why not2' cried Stanton, jumping nerv.
ously about "Why noi2 Why notY
"Because | have already sent the men to
the front" replied Grant, calmly.
"That won't do, cried Stanton more nerV-
ous than before 'lts contrary to my plans.
can't allow it, I'll order the men back
"I shall need the men there, answered
Grant, "and you can't order them back.
"Why not2' iuqnred Stanton again. "Why
nol2 Why notY'
~ believe that ! rank the Secretary in this
matter" was the quiet reply
"Very well" said Stanton u little warmly,
1--WE Il see the President about that I'll have
to tnke you 10 the President
"Thats right" politely observed Grant,
"the President ranks us both.
Arrived at the White House, the General
and the Secretary asked 10 soc the President
upon important business, and III few mo
menis tho good natured face OF Mr.. Lincoln
Appeared.
'Well, gentlemen" said tho President,
with genial smile, what do You want with
me2'
"General," said Stanton, sliflly, "state your
casep
"I have no case to state" seplied General
Grant, 'I'm satisfied as it is; thus outflank
ing the Secretary, and displaying tho same
strategy in diplomacy as in war,
"Well, we'll" said the President laughing,
rslale your case, Secretary
Secretary Stanton obeyed: General Grant
said nothing; the President listened very at
tentively. When Stanton had concluded, the
President crossed his legs, rested his elbow
on his knee, twinkled his eyes quantity, and
said;
"Now, Secretary, you know we have been
trying TO manage this army for two years and
half, and you know VIC haven't done much
with it, We sent over the mountains and
brought Mister Grant--as Mrs Grant calls him
to manage it for us, and now guess We
had better let Meter Grant have his own way.
On this, the Commercial makes the fol-
lowing sensible comments; s
"The good Judgment of Mr. Lincoln, who
when he found real military man in whom
he had confidence, gave him the supreme
command Of the armies OF the United States,
refusing TO interfere with him in the smallest
particular, has been vindicNted Halleck and
Stanton being choked Off and the President
confning himself to his civil duties, the SOL
diers peI formed the work OF destroying the
military power of the rebellion.
"Another work. and one of not less impor-
tance, is now before ns. II is that Of pacifi
cation and reconstructiou These two are
la frns har in hn
alton of the civil law and freedom Of trade
throughout the land. ou.
"Though the people willed otherwise, there
has been change in the highest officer of the
Government Abraham Lincoln s no more,
and Andrew johnson 10 President of the Uni
ted States, but Edwin NJ. Stanton remains
Secretary of War He il the same opiniona-
ted, obtrusive, impetuous, hot.headed, aud
stiii.DecLed person that he was three years
ago. He has strong points, lie il full Of
energy, and works hard, and 10 good purpose
most of the time, early and late, lie can say
no, and does it with qulckness and decision,
He is incorruptible, and we believe, as a gem
i eral rule has q wholesome hatred Of thieves
But part of the time his forces ara misd
rectptl and he does great mischief He en-
joys the exercise of power intensely, aud has
a stupid and wicked disregard OF the forms Of
law, that is damaging the Administration, and
must be checked and rebuked or the Republic
itself will suffer harm,
"What we mean will be illustrated by his
proceedings the other day in regard TO the
photographs Of the remains Of Mr.. Lincoln,
taken in New York City He ordered Gen.
eral Dix 10 destroy those pictures, having no
moro right 10 do it than he has to order Gen
Hooker 10 capture aud confseate our tea
spoons If there was no reason why one
hundred thousand people should not look upon