The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-11-09
The relations OF Secretary Stanton
and the President.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 80, 1866.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. 80, 1866.
There have been many rumors afoat
during the past two weeks relative to
"A rupture between the President and
Secretary Stanton, and the probable
retirement of the latter; and from
these clouds of smoke something re-
liable and definite can now be reached
The reports that the difficulty arose
on account of the Secretarys filling
the vacancies in the army without con
sulting Mr.. Johnson, and assigning
them to duty, are substantially correct.
But the fact cannot be sustained that
these appointments were made from
the political friends or the personal
friends of Mr.. Stanton, who were in
clined to radical proclivities, to the
exclusion of those of different political
opinions. As far as / have ascertain
ed, the selection of officers has been
governed almost entirely by 8eir field
records-those most distinguished by
gallantry and good conduct receiving
the appointments. 1t is true, no doubt,
that the Secretary would commission
a radical" sooner than copperhead,
were their field record the same. He
has received too much abuse, has been
too often slandered and vili6ed by this
estimable class of citizens, to look up
on them with great favoNa And the
forgiving characteristics On Ills nature
are not at all prominent-quite differ
ent in fact from those Of his worthy
superior.
do not think that the rupture arose
by reason of the political antecedents
of the appointees altogether; but be
cause Mr.. Stanton presumed to make
them without submitting them to Mr.
johnson for approval 1t is quite tru'
that the more important selections fol
the higher positions in the new regl
, ments are now being thoroughly re
vised by the President, assisted b.
: Generals Grant and Sherman; and th,
fact that Mr.. Sherman is called t,
these consultations in the face of hi
well-known unfriendiness to Secretar,
Stanton, is significant.
> 1t was perfectly natural for Nh
Stanton to assume the right to max
:, these appointments. That every indie
( pendence of action, based as it was il
this upon his excellent judgment ans
knowledge of the services of the ap
phcants, and his promptness in til
dispatch of business, are two grea
$ qualities which secured for him tn
strong regard of President Lincoln
and which, added TO his general abilit
I as war minister, has maintained 70
: him the place as the head of the Wa
: Office against the well known wshe
G of Mr.. johnson. He is one who's
I bold and active mind will assume res
O possibility. SO bold, so comprehen
V sive, so fertile in resources and eXpedl
5 ents, he is one to depend upon an
believe in himself, and mould other
v to his will His assistants and thos
/. around him are never his advisers. bu
d his clerks War matters are who'll
Il controlled by himself, and from tn
: President alone does he receive sug
y gestions A decided lack of courtes
is attributed to him; Gen. Thomas i
addressing letter to Gen Grant nsb
ing instructions in case of conhiC
between the military and civil author
Is ties, was answered by the Secretar,
l. who did not even consult Gran
n When the General read the CORE spoI
fe dence for the first time in the mornin
papers, it is said he smoked harde
than usual, but nothing else testife
* to bis appreciation of the slight.
u Now the breach is wider than eve
4 between the two, the most formal I,
" lations existing between them. Star
ID ton was the man for war times Hi
t tory will do him credit Mr. Lincoll
lie rather inclined to hesitate, knew no
ot to value him, who in times of gref
ct emergency was more great than ever
t. 1t would not be at all surprising
y, he resigned at any time, although
~ view of his value in the War Office, /
~ may be retained some time longe
re When that retirement does come,
IN will be heralded by congratulated
ut shouts from all the friends of freedo
IN and the good cause, and will proclai
u the end of service as brilliant, as To-
fy al, and as noble as man can boast Of
Tx Cor. Proc Journal.
n 81