Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-29
"reminiscences of stanton.

Mr.. Charles A. Dana, of the Neic York Sun,
who was Assistant Secretary of War under Mr.
Stanton, gives the following scraps of personal
incident of his late chief He says, among other
things, that Mr.. Stanton was impatient with
leyity when serious business was in hand, and
was yehemently indignant because President
Lincoln read aloud bits of Nasby's letters while
waiting for the returns of his own second cleo
ton. Mr.. Dana thus describes the scene when
at the time of the assassination of Mr., Lincoln
and the attacl; ON Mr.. Seward, the whole burden
of the administration fell upon the Secretary OF
War 49,
Though his soul was bowed with grief at the assas
snation Of his friend and his country beneiaetor he
did not neglect for moment the duties of the hour
Sitting In the anteIoOm Of the dying President, with
several adutants and assistants aid him. he gave in
low voice all necessary orders; took for the
pursuit Of the assassn and the detection of their accom-
plices sent teegrams to military commanders In every
directions wrote with bis hand dispatches for our
ministers abroad provided for the public security Of ali
doubtful points thought Of everything and did every
thing with wisdom and fertility never surpassed
Next day vicepesdcnt Johnson took the oath Of office
as President, aud his first act most becomngly per
all that no had accomplished during that memorable
night and To ask him. while they held each other by the
nne 70 snG oy nun a. ne hsd stood by Mr. Lincoln
johnson kept MIR. Lincoln's principles"
The article gives an account OF project to give
Mr. Stanton, after he had retired from Office pooi
in purse and broken in health, testimonial oil
100000, contributed by some wealthy mer.
chants of New York Judge Pierrepont was sent
to Washington to induce Mr. Stanton to receive
the gift
lIc first preached the subject TO Mra Stanton who re-
piled that she did not believe her husband would rccey,
the present
Mrs Stanton said she would mention il 10 him on the
hfst favorable opportunity. Mr. Stanton was In the
next room, and probably overheard the conversation
Judge Piorepont then went In 10 him lie was sit
ting as an invalid Ia his arm chair
" lie received me- said Judge PierTepoint, with al.
old Kind SMILE and although very feeble made an at
tempt 10 rise 10 shake hands cOnversed with him on
dnerent subjects, but did not make nllusion 10 OuI
project OF presenting him with purse. Finally arose
TO take my leave. ! was Just about to open the door
when he said
90 Pierrcpont, come back / have something to say
to YOU ~
"'l returned. Having taken a seat by his side IA,
gently laid his hand upon my shoulder aud looking me
stray In the face, ieellngly said
"' have always regarded you my friend, Pierre
pont You are going away now, and may never so,
you again. am ~ you see, upon bed Of sickness
nom which may rise. | want YOU TO do me a ia
vor When You 20 back TO Now York, tell my friend,
there and elsewhere not 10 raise any money or Other
CUTS Tor me, for must refuse them all They have nv
thanks Tor their kind intentions but and never wifi
accept cent o. gin from even my hest ffiendn
promised 10 comply with his request continued
M fierrepon and the result that the project wa,
/ abandoned