The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-09-07
0t1e111telliqettrer.
From the Boston advertiser, Sept. 4.


Boston, Friday, Aug. 80, 1867.
/ have just visited Senator Sumner
and have had a long talk with him on
politics and the men of the hour. One
of my first visits to Mr.. Sumner at his
Boston home was made in the company
OF John Brown, 10 whom introduced
him. He lay on his bed, still suffering
acute pains and utterly prostrated
from the effect OF the blows of Brooks.
John Brown had just come from Kan
sns, where two of his sons lay buried
in bloody shrOuds-victims, in their
early manhood to the same savage
power which had stricken down the
Senator. The old man asked TO see the
coat which Mr.. Sumner had worn when
the attack on him was made. He rose,
walked feebly across the room, took it
from wardrobe and handed it
to John Brown. And then 1
saw historical picture which L
would not willingly forget. The Sena-
tor, half bent over, supporting himself
as he stood by holding on to the bed
post-John, Brown holding up the
bloody coat in his left hand, looking at
it with compressed lips and austere
brow; it needed only what one can see
to-day-the aureola around the old
mans head, the Senator triumphant
and still foremost in the good fight, the
slave for whom they suffered, now free
and citizen-to start up in the back
ground in order TO translate it into a
visible prophecy of the future of our
America. ..
But must not dwell on the many
memories that have OF the Senator's
home. Naturally, The first subject in
troduced was
THE REMOVAL OF STANTON.
"Stanton's removal at this time"
/ said Mr.. Sumner, "is IL national calauI-
| ity. OF course, the rebels everywhere
are encouraged. They see that the
President is with them, and this makes
them hard-hearted and stif-necked.
You cannot measure the extent Of this
evil influence. 1t is terrible blow at
reconstruction. And yet [ Hm conti-
dent that reconstruction on just prinCi-
pies will prevail in the end. But its
trials are Increased, It is sad enough
to think off So great transition
ought to be made under invoring cir
cumslances instead OF adverse. To
carry II over the transition period with
permanent advantage to all the parties
10 IL, the President and all officers, mil
itary and civil, should be friendly and
conEenial. Bnt we shall succeed in
spite OF every imPediment."
"Stanton," L observed, "does not
seem TO have made many personal
friends; everybody seems 10 be angry
at the overthrow of the Secretary,
rather than the man."
"StantOn," resumed the Senator,
has not the elements of personal pop
ularity. he never cultivated the
amenities. Heis often impatient, cold,
and even harsh and antagonistic. But
he is always patriot. His fidelity has
been constant, down to the last. Here"
he added, handing it TO me, 'is letter
from gentleman in Washington, who
saw him often 'in his last official du-
ties, and calls him 'one of the purest
and best of men, Such will be the
judgment of history. Personally, he
must be glad to be relieved. But the
Office needed him still longer, Nobody,
who did not see him habitually during
the war, can comprehend the Vigor,
constancy and extent of his labors, ear
ly and lale, day and night-making the
War Office his bivOuac. I remem ber
taking Mr.. Emerson with me to visit
him at the War Department, and we
found him snRtching a repast among
his files of papers, and attending TO his
business while he ate. l think my
companion was much impressed at the
scene. But this was typical. Mr.. Lin
coin had great faith in him, and was
truly attached to him. This was be-
cause of his real usefulness. recall
gratefully that during all this time he
sympaLhized with me in efforts to in.
duce u proclamation of emancipation.
He desired It months before II came.
When we met we often spoke of the
project and regretted the delay. The
night OF Mr.. Lincoln's death he showed
character, as he gave his orders and
watched the dying President. In that
room he was Chief, and
for the time the whole country was
there. He must have a great place in
history. Louvois, Pitt, and Carnot
were greatw war ministers-the greatest,
Stanton must lind a place in this
group"
GRANT AS SECRETARY.
asked what his Interpretation was
of the action of Gen. Grant In taking
Stanton's place?
Mr.. Sumner said it was difficult TO
explain. "If there is any secret his.