Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1869-12-31
PATRIOT GONE.

Hon. E. NJ. Stanton died at Washington,
on Friday morning last. Death has been
busy this year in the ranks of our country's
public men, and now at the close Of it,
crowns his ghastly work by striking down
one of tho greatest, truest and ablest of
them all. The country but few days ago
was engaged in congratulations over Mr.
Stsnton's deserved elevation to the bench
of the United States Supreme Court, and
the prompt ratification of the appointment
by the Sen ate, but joy is turned to genuine
sorrow at his sudden taking off. A great
man and incorruptible patriot has fallen;
man to whom this nation owes more than it
can properly appreciate at this time, but to
whose great and self-sacriGcing labors du-
ring the war for the Union, posterity will
render ample and ever increasing honor
and thankfuIness. To no man is due more
of honor in the suppression of the conspi-
racy against the-aation's life than to Ed
win NJ. Stanton. We clip the following
brief record Of his career from the Chica-
90 Post
Edwin NJ. Stanton was native of Ohio.
He was born at S,eubenvlle, in 1915, and
was, therefore, only ftty-four years of age
at the time of his decease. He received
liberal education, and studied law at the
;. capital of Ohio, where he was admitted to
practice in the year 1886. But three years
afterward he was elected by the Legislature
Reporter to the Supreme Court of Ohio, an
Office which he filled successfully for the Of
fetal term. Meantime, he had a large and
growing practice in Southeastern Ohio and
Virginia, and was considered one of the
frs, lawyers in that part of the country.
In lS4S, he removed to Pittsburgh, Penn
sylvania, and at once took the leading posi-
tiou in the bar of that city. He also had
many causes in the Supreme Court of the
United States, where he made not few ar
guments among the most noted efforts
which have been made before that tribunal.
He removed to Washington in 1857, and
the Supreme Court, before which by this
time be was one of the most distinguished
advocates. In 1860 be was appointed At
torney General by President Buchanan,
and in that Office rendered invaluable ser
vice to the country by his 6rmness and
earnestness against the efforts of the seces-
sionis,s. He resumed the practice of law
when Mr.. Buchanan went ont Of Office, and
was engaged in it when, on the Goth of
January, 1862, President Lincoln appoint
ed him Secretary of War. Being a man
terribly in earnest, who fully understood the
truth that the government of the republic
was all in the right and the rebels were all
in the wrong, with will no less deter
mined than that of Andrew Jackson,
mind of wonderful comprehensiveness, en-
ergy unsurpassed by that of any man who
ever lived, and patriotism all aglow, he in
fused into the Department and the army
much of his unconquerable spirit, and or
ganized victory for the Union arms. Fort
Henry, Donelson, Pea Ridge, Roanoke, and
New Orleans, were the speedy grand an
nouncements of his policy, and the recon-
queriug of a large portion of the Confeder-
acy the first result of his administration.
That history of the war which does not
place Edwin NJ. Stanton among the most
valuable instruments of our great victory,
will leave a plain truth untold. 1t is well
known that President Lincoln relied upon
bis War Secretary with unbounded and i'm
plicit confidence, aud never had cause to
regret his faith in the stern but efficient and
honest head of the War Department. Mr..
Stantons history since the death Of Mr.,
Lincoln was less distinguished than before,
but not less honorable. He was appointed
but few DAYS ago an Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court of the United States,
and received the rare honor of confirmation
BY the Senate without reference to a com
mitee.
Edwin NJ. Stanton was, singular as it
may appear to those who knew only of his
public career, en- exceedingly genial and
tender.hearted man. He had no sham SEN
timentalism, ana was not stirred by every
humbug complaint, nor the winnings of
men who deserved the severest punishment
for their crimes. He did his part toward
carrying on the war with almost fearful
earnestness, but in the amenities of social
life and the charities of the Christian faith
he most agreeably and humbly did his d.
ties well. In consideration of his invalua-
BILE public service, and of his life of rer-
sonal integrity and virtue, his name will be
held in lasting remembrance by good men
Of every land where freedom is or shall be
recognized as blessing to the human race.