Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-03-23

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Mr.. Boutwell, has been generally
recognized as one of the ablest men
in the House-a fluent impressive
debater and conscien tious worker.
His studious habits throughout his
long public career enabled him to ov-
ercome the lack of early education.
lie possesses thoroughly disciplin.
ed mind, and memory which trea-
sures up fact and data, and to an ex-
tent that has rendered him one OF
the most formidable opponents On
the floor of the House. He was an
earnest supporter of Mr.. Lincoln's
administration, and warmly defended
the emancipation proclamation and
the enlistment of colored persons
during the war. When President
Johnson was brought to trial, charg>
ed with high crimes and misdemean-
ors, Governor Boutwell, was selected
as one of Tire impeachment managers,
and was one of the most determined
OF those who insisted upon the con-
viction and removal of that officer.
DE was also, at that time, a member
of the Committee on Reconstruction.
and is responsible, to a great extent,
for the reconstruction policy adopted
by Congress, as opposed to that OF
President Johnson.
In addition to bis public duties,
Governor Boutwell, has found time
to write several books of value, and
IS the author Of manual of the
School System and School Laws OF
Massachusetts" Educational Topics
and Institutions, "A Manual of the
Reven4e SYSTEM" and recently
published volume Of Speeches on Re-
construction.
His unquestioned integrity, his
general ability, and his exceeding
familiarity with the revenue system
Of the country, give him a prestige
in entering upon the duties of the
position which will inspire confidence
in our financial integrity both at
home and abroad. Mr.. Boutwells
personal appearance is very prepos-
sessing. He is of medium height, has
black whiskers, and q countenance
indicative of an educated gentleman.
JOHN A. RAwLINs, SECRETARY OF WAR.
President Grant could have made
no selection tor the post of Secretary
Of War which would have been more
popular with the army than that of
Gen. John A. Rawlins, of Illinois,
From the first it has been generally
conceded that General Rawlins would |
60 into the Cabinet, and when Gen
eral Schofeld's name was mentioned
it was understood that the appoints
ment would not long keep Rawlin>
out Of his proper place. The new
Secretary 81 War is a very young
man-not over forty, though bis pre-
else age is not known. He is ma
tive OF Illinois, and of humble birth.
He educated himself, and at an early
age adopted the legal profession
He entered on the practice of law in
1859 at Galena, Illinois, and at once
rose to considerable local distinction
and great popularity. In the Presi-
dental canvass of 1860 he was cam
didate for elector on the Douglas
ticket, and stumped his Congression>
al district with great vigor and sue
cess, and won great reputation as a
popular orator.
Although his party friends at Galena
were timid about taking sides at the
opening Of the war, Rawlins early
determined on his course A few
nights after the firing on Sumter, a
meeting of the citizens of Galena was
held, and prominent Democrat was
called to the chair. He had begun
to talk about Republican response,
bility for the war" and of ''compromi.
ses," when E. B. Washburne rebuked
him by exclaiming. "Mr. Chairman,
any man who will Try to stir up par,
ty prejudices at this time is a trai
tor" AT the same moment Rawlins
entered the hall, and loud cries call.
ed him to the stand. He advanced
and made speech lasting half an
hour, and ending with these words
81 have been a Democrat all my
life, but this Is no longer a question
of politics. 1t is simply country or
no country. | have favored every
honorable compromise; but the day
for compromise is passed. Only one
course is left us We will stand by
the flag of our country and appeal TO
the god of battles"
A couple of evenings afterward.
RawIins and Grant, who had slight
acquaintance, met at another meets
ing, and Rawins jestingly proposed
To Grant that they should get up a
company. AS you have seen SER
vice you shall be Captain" he said,
land Rowley and | will toss up to
see which shall be First Lieutenant"
The Gslena company was raised, but
Grant was not elected Captain, and
Rawlins got no Lieutenancy. A. L.
Chetlain was elected Captain. Grant
got employment as clerk in the
Governors Office at Springfield, and
Rawlins stuck to the law. Grant
was soon made Colonel, and subse-
quently a Brigadier General. His
nrst act was to get commission as
Captain and Assistant Adjutant Gen.
eral for Rawlins. and on Sept. Is,
1861, the latter reported for duty on
Grants staff He has never left it
until he was confirmed Secretary of
| War.
He has served with Grant In all
his campaigns, from Belmont to the
Appomattox, and has been his con-
slant and trusted adviser in every
plan and negotiation. He was press
ent at all the great surrenders, from
Donelson to the finale in Virginia,
and, with Grant, framed the import,
ant documents which recorded those
achievements. He has been advan-
ced in the army with Grant, and rose
to the highest rank in his grade as
in the case of General Grant, q new
Office created for him, and be was
made Chief-of-Staff of the Armies
| with the rank OF Brigadier General
and brevet of Major General. Nc
officer, among those who at the close