New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-06
SECRETARY OF STATE.
ELInU b. wAsHBURNE OF lLLIl

RLIHU b. WAsHBURNE OF ILLINOIS
disappointment of Elhu b. Washburne Of Illinois,
tho fellow-towDsman, and longtime-chamTon in
Congress Of Gen. Grant, TO some position IN the
Cabinet was generally expected, II was less generally
predicted that lie would be made Secretary of State
This appointment, however, will be the most crafty
ing TO the country of any Of the Cabinet changes.
Mr.. Washbume was born in LiyeImore. Oxford
Co. tnow Androscoggin). Maine, September % 1916.
Two of his brothers, Cadwallader c. and Israel
IT,. have sat in Congress, the latter be-
ing elected from Maine and the former
from Wisconsin. Elhu served an apprenticeship "a
printer in the Office of The KenReboo Journal studied
law at Harvard University, and removing TO Galena.
ILLINOIS, has since pursued the legal profession at that
place He was elected Wing TO the AANllId
Congroes from the LIST Congress District Of Illinois
and has been reelected to every subsequent Con-
ucss. Acting with tho Republican party from its
organization, and voting always for freedom from
his vote against the Kansa Nebraska bill to his vote
for the Constitutional Amendment, extending suft-
rage without distinction Of color In the AAAFHIh
Congress he became the Father OF tine
House, by reason Of having served
longer continuous period than any other Nom
Der. He had acted as Chairman OF
NJ the Committee on Commerce in each Congress,
from the XXXVth to the XXXIXth Congress
inclusive and in the latter also as member Of the
JoDt Committee OH the Library, and as Chairman of
the Special Committee on Immigration AZ the
tLe death of Thaddeus Stevens ho became Chairman
Of the Committee Of Appropriations Capt. NOW
Presdent) Grant had resided at Galena several years
before Mr. Washburne knew him. WashbuIne was
then the leading man ofihis Congressional District
carrying it, as thoI phrase goes, "in his
brcc,hes pocket owned and resided in
one Of the most elegant residences in tho
oil la bia fafIa1's leather
store and occupied little twO-stOry cottage the
ton of bluff, recurring him to lcmb stairs some
200 feet every timo lie went home. At the first war
meeting held in Galena 70 muster volunteers, Wash
lurne offered resolutions and engineered the meet
ing and Rawins made speech. Capt. Grant was
nresent but seems to have been too ncOnspcuous TO
be called on TO take part. AT the second meeting,
however Capt. Grant was nominated for Chairman
The first company raised however, elected one Chet-
lain captain, and Jesse Grants partner, Collins,
Peace Democrat said to Washbume, A pretty set
Of fellows you soldiers are TO elect Chelan for cap
tainp
"Why not"
"They we're foolish to take him when they could
yet such man as Grant"
What's Grants histOlyp
"Why. he is old man Grants son, was educated 1T
West Point, served in the Army eleven years, ana
came out with the very DcSJ iopuldtIch
Washburne Immediately called upon Grant and
invited him to 60 to Springfield There Pope was
the hero of the hour, and all was confusion. Wash
burne urged Grants claims, and the latter had al
ready applied to the Governor OF Ohio. his native
State and 10 the Adiutant-General Of the Army at
Washington who had not even the grace to answer
his letter.
Washburne with difficulty restrained him from re-
turnng in disgust to Gnlena. AT length 6ranb was
employed to assist in Gov Yaess Office, ana Ia mus
terng in regiments.
II Is most Improbable that either Washbnrre OF
Grant had any presccnce Of Grants future success
as Grant himself is reported to have answered a
mend who asked him why he did not apply lot
Colonecy; 10 tell you the truth, would rather
IKE regiment, yet there are few men iealy com
percent to command thousand soldiers, anu dolp'
"hether am one of them"
'a'es having appointed Grant Colonel OF reg'-
iLehl' he was indebted for his next promotion 10
"aShDurne. President Lincoln sent printed nolicc
'oeach OF The Illinois Senators and Representatives,
"SA'HR them to nominate four Bngadicis. wash
"uine pressed The claims Of Giant 0n Tie gionhd
"a 4 he Ef..tr I..l