Evening star., 1869-12-24


posed to figure conspicuously In print. News-
paper interyiewers, and all the claB whose trade
IL Is to write up regulations, we're invariably re-
buffed by him; and probably No public man
ever took 30 little pains to concirlats the pres
His strong-willed action and unpropitiatory
manners viii influence Contemporary jude-
ment on Mr. Stanton, but cannot greatly af-
feet his permanent place in the history
of the war. To call him the organiser
Of victory Is to use . phrase that has become
cant, and to avoid a compliment which he has
himself expressly and conspicuously disclaimed.
Yet IL Is the title to which his service and his
success fairly point. Mr.. Stanton was credited
to Pennsylvania In the record of Cabinet ap-
pointments by reason of his having kept for a
little time law Office at Pittsburg but he always
regarded Steubenyille, Ohio, as his home. For
many years, however, he has resided in this city.
Before entering the Cabinet he had amassed q
considerable fortune In the practice of his pro-
fession, in which he stood among the foremost
lawyers at the bar Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States. For some years he has been af-
ficted with an asthma, which, to some extent
Impaired his activity, but not the powers ofhis
mind, which were never more vigorous than in
the last months of his life. His last case was
before Associate Justice Swayne, of the U. s.
Supreme Court, which he argued In chambers
on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 18th insts.
His appointment as Judge of the Supreme
Court was made without solicitation, direct or
indirect, on his own part, and by the request of
large majority of the Senators and Represent
atives, supported by An equally unanimous re-
quest by the press Of the country. His nearly
unanimous confirmation by the Senate, without
the form Of reference to q committee, afforded q
notable evidence Of the opinion in which his
qualifications and services were held by that
body. As q matter Of fact IL may be mentioned,
in this connection, that his commission as AssO-
ciate Justice Of the Supreme Court, although
prepared at the State Department and signed
by Secretary Fish had not been delivered 10 the
deceased, Is up to yesterday evening it lacked
the signature Of the President, and had, there
fore mot yet become perfected document.
Last autumn, Mr.. Stanton visited New Eng
land, hoping to recruit his impaired health
He went to the mountain region of New
Hampshire, and afterwards to Mount wachu-
sett, in Massachusetts,, but the weather was un-
pleasant, and he returned to Boston from the
last named place suffering excessively from
asthma. Hon. Samuel Hooper, (who was one of
his warmest personal friends,) then persuaded
him to visit "COtuit," a picturesque seaside
estate belonging to Mr.. H., on the south shore of
Cape Cod. Mr.. s. remained there three weeks,
and the sea-air, tempered BY the gulf stream,
had awonderfully beneficial effect. He returned
here thinking that his health was much i'm
proved.
Though the fact has been known that he has
been in Indifferent health for some time 1t had
not been supposed that his life was threatened
1t seemed difficult to believe that his robust
physique sustained by that most indomitable
spirit would succumb readily to disease, but
1t Is now certain that the enormous labors
and responsibilities OF the war, which
allowed him no relaxation day or night,
were too much even for his iron powers
His death was so unexpected as to cause shock
in every circle. 1t was first announced to the
President, who was walking on Pennsyi-
vania avenue at the time, by Senator
Williams. The Presidents first remark was
one OF surprise, and, when assured of the
fact his head dropped upon his breast,
and he showed much emotion. As the news of
the sad event circulated about town the many
expressions of sincere grief, and the personal
recoliections called up of Mr.. Stanton by those
who had known him somewhat intimate
ly, served to show how kind and generous
heart was concealed by the rough
brusque exterior of the deceased. He was
warm friend, and always was he true to his early
iiiehus, whether OF low or high degree. ONLY
among his nearest friends, and in his family cir
Gle, could the warmth and tenderness Of his af-
iections be thoroughly known, so masked were
they in his public intercourse by his stern reso-
lutte bearing.
A few years since, when he resided on e street,
Mrs. Stanton was dangerously i'll for a long
time, and the distress Of her husband was pain
ful to witness. He frequently visited the Office
Of her attending physician-an eminent practi-
TONER ofthis city-and with arms around his neck
Wept bitterly when told of her critical condition.
On another occasion, Mr.. Stanton, then being
Of War, sent for this same physician
and directed him to visit the hospitals and
prisons in this city, in which rebel prisoners
we're confined, to see that they were properly
treated and nursed. He also placed at
the disposal of the physician necessary means to
procure for such sick and wounded prisoners
delicacies and luxuries for their comfort, by
which arrangement a large quantity of
fruits and other articles were distributed to
them.
Many other instances OF his real kindness and
tenderness of heart might be related, but our
time and space are not now adequate.