The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-31
The Man Whom Philadelphia Delights
TO Honor,

The Man Whom Philadelphia Delights
TO Honor.
To- NIGHT Philadelphia receives one of Penn
sylvana's greatest sons. The Hon. Edwin M.
Stanton arrived in this city this morning. and
will receive such demonstration tonight as
only loyal Philadelphia can give. When the
people see standing before them the man who
now, as private citizen, comes to tell them
Of their duty, the mind will revert to the days
of the past, and the services which that man
has rendered to his country. In the darkest
days of the war he became Secretary of War
position the impor tance of which is not ex-
celled by any in the land. If we date from
that event his career, we would be astonished
at the wonderful ability, stern integrity, and
answering patriotism which it dis
played. But it was before then that he
first rendered the nation signal service. AS a
member Of the Cabinet of Mr.. James Bucha-
nan he did what was done almost alone by a
Cabinet officer, he detected and denounced and
exposed the recreant treason of his colleagues
Called by Mr.. Lincoln to the arduous duties of
a most arduous post, how did he fulfil
them? The people answer to-day. He is
crowned with the reward of commendation
from every quarter where commendation can
be considered as tribute to merit. He is,
after leaving Office and power, still viewed as
a man of the greatest ability. On that head
there is universal assent. Eyen the oppo-
sitiop, which denounces him with singular
malignity even for them, does not pretend
to deny to Edwin M. Stanton
talent such as few men pos
sess. His work was a master stroke, or
rather constant series of master strokes, for
five long years. He had a supervision which
was enough to break down the highest intel
lect His mind was kept in a constant and
never-ceasing strain. 1t was early morning,
or o'clock, before the telegraph Office
ceased to contain him, seated pondering over
the news received. His work was herculean,
and he proved himself equal to the task. 1t
was, indeed, a magnificent mission, both in the
grandeur Of results and the grandeur of the
energy which was required to attain
them. He well merits the encomium that
he is 'the greatest War Minister Of
the age.' But not only as man OF
talent does Mr.. Stanton commend himself to
our admiration. He has high moral qualities,
qualities OF heart as well, as head. For five
years he held position which had the dis
pensing Of over fifteen hundred millions Of
dollars. He could have coined money
by merely questionable transactions, to say
nothing of dishonest ones. He had it within
his reach to make fortune colossal beyond
all calculation. He has had the bitterest
enemies, who knew of the facilities he pos
sessed, but there is yet to be found the first
man, Rebel. or Democrat, who will accuse him
of a dishonest action.
Possessed of an easy fortune upon taking
Office, we hear not word as to its increase
now that he has left Office. Such a tribute
in the silence of calumny, is one rarely paid to
any offcial and in consideration of the stirring
times, though what we have passed, NJ
slander is the highest compliment that any
man could receive. As to his patriotism, VIZ
know the verdict. Throughout all his career
in every action of his official life, he has ex
hibited devotion to country, a love of loyalty
and hearty and sincere affection for freedom
and detestation of treason and traitors, as will
allow no man to question his hatred of the on,
and his love OF the other. By his conduct he ha
made a multitude OF bitter foes. All Rebels
hate Edwin M. Stanton. All British enemies
hate Edwin M. Stanton. All Rebel sympathizer
hate Edwin M. Stanton. But for these hatred
he has to counterbalancs the sincere and deeI
love and trusting confidence of all the loyal
people OF the land; and with them as hi
friends and admirers all denunciation from
others tends only to his glory, and makes yet
brighter the success and the purity of hii
career.