The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-24

Of War would necessitate recounting of the most
momentous events in the history OF the country
during the memorable conflict through which the
country passed for the sake Of preserving its in
tegrity and institutons-a narrative which we have
neither the time nor space at command to make.
The whole period OF his Secretaryship previous to
the close OF active hostities between the North and
South is a standing tribute TO his patriotism, his
industry, his determination, his foresight and his
consummate statesmanship The war itself is his
record and this record proves him to have been pre-
eminenty counterpart of Bismark-a veritabe
imam OF iron and blood"
The possession Of these peculiar qualities, as
might be expected raised up about him host Of
enemies Failure was with him a crime and he
therefore but little disposed to accept excuse Of
any Kind by way OF apology for it. He has been
severely censured, In common with President Lin
coin, for his treatment of General Mcclellan while
the latter held the chief command Of the
loyal armies. That his energy and Obstnacy
led him into frequent mistakes in this, as well
as in other connections his most ardent admirers
will not pretend to deny even now that the nation
is gathered In mourning about his remains. But
that he ever wfully or maliciously failed to sup
port, TO the utmost of his power every General in
the field the most bitter OF his enemies cannot
aege. on June II, 1862, he telegraphed to General
Mcclellan, who was then at the head of the army
before Richmond, words which do not misrepresent
the spirit in which he treated that commander and
all Others who, before and after him, failed to
achieve the success which awaited Grant, Sherman
Sheridan, Thomas, and Meade. He said:-'T am
fully impressed with the difficulties mentioned
which no art or skill can avoid, but only endure;
and striving to the uttermost to render you
every aid in the power of the Government"
A great deal Of the enmity he encountered sprung
from the unceremoniousness with which, in entire
harmony with his general characteristics, he was
accustomed to treat measures which he believed
would be fatal to the best interests OF the he
had at heart, and the men who had the hardihood
to insist upon their adoption. From this sort of
treatment not even Mr.. Lincoln was exempt, as the
following anecdote will serve to illustrate:-
On the night of March g. 1866, while the last bills
OF the session were under examination for signing,
and while the President and all with him were en-
oying the expectation of to-morrow's inauguration,
a despatch came in from Grant, which stated his
confidence that a few days must now end the busi-
ness with Lee and Richmond and spoke of an appll-
cation made by Lee for an interview TO negotiate
about peace. Mr. Lincoln intmated pretty clearly
an intention to permit extremely favorable terms,
and to let his Generalin-chief negotiate them even
to extent that overpowered the retcent habits OF
his Secretary Of War; who, after holding his tongue
as long as he could, broke out sternly:-
"Mr. President, tomorrow is Inauguration day. II
you are not to be the President Of obedient and
united people, you had better not be tnaugurdted.
Your work is already done, If any other authority
than yours is for one moment to be recognized, or
the supreme head Of the nation. If generals in the
field are TO negotiate peace, or any other chief
magistrate is to be acknowledged on this continent,
then yO not needed, and you lad better not take
the oath Of Office"
"Stanton, you are right" said the President, his
whole tone changing "Let me have a PEN"
Mr. Lincoln sat down at the table, and wrote as
folows:-
"The President directs me to say to you that he
wishes you to have no conference with General
Lee, unless it be for the capitulatiOn OF Lees army
or on some minor or purely military matter. He in
sructs me to say that you not to decide discuss
confer upon any political question: such questions
the President holds in his own hands, and will sub
NIT them to no military conference or conventions
| In the mean time you are to press to the utmost
| your military advantages"
The President then read over what he had writ
| ten and then Sad:-
Now, Stanton, date and sign this paper and send
| it to Grant Wen see about this peace business"
Mr.. Lincoln understood him thoroughly and re-
posed the most unstinted confidence in his integrity
| ability, and craftsmanship. The following anecdote
gives striking Illustration OF the relations which
existed between the Chief Magistrate and his Minis
| ter OF War;
| On one OCCASION during the latter period OF the
| struggle, a certain despatch OF instructions was
shown the President. The latter thought the mat
| ter few minutes, and then said to the officer
who had prepared and brought 1t to him :-"Did you
consult the Secretary OF War, Major" The alb
| sence OF the Secretary at the important moment
was then related to Mr.. Lincoln, with the subse-
| quent remark OF Mr.. Stanton that he thought the
| right answer had been given, but that himself
would have shrunk from the responsibility
Mr.. Lincoln, on hearing the story, rose, crossed
the ROOM and taking the officer by the hand thanked
him cordially, and then spoke OF Mr.. Stanton as
| follOws:-
thereafter, Major, when you have Mr.. Stanton's s
sanction in any matter you have mine, for SO great
| s my confidence in his judgment and patriotism,
that never wish to take an important step myself
without first consulting him.
Only few days before his death, Mr. Lincoln gave
| still more striking testimony OF the afectiOnate
nature of his regard for Mr.. Stanton. This when
Mr.. Stanton rendered him his resignation of the War
Department, on the ground that the work for whose
sake he had taken it was now done.
''Mr Lincoln" says witness, "was greatly
| moved by the Secretarys words and tearing in
| pieces the paper containing the resignation, and
| throwing his arms about the Secretary, he said
stanton, you have been good friend and faith.
ful public servant and it is not for you say when
you will no longer be needed here. Several friends
OF both parties were present on this occasion, and
there was not dry eye that witnessed the scene"
Holding Once Under Andrew johnson.
But the war was over at last, and coincident witt
its close came the assassination Of President LincoI
and the Inauguration OF Andrew johnson. Witt
| him Edwin NJ. Stanton strove manfully, as he hat
| done with James Buchanan before but Andrew
| Johnson was man OF different mould and tn,
| same success did not attend Mr.. Stanton's efforts
| Harlan Dennson and Speed fOrsook their posts
| unwilling TO serve with the renegade; Seward, Nc
| Culoch, and Wells humbed themselves in the dust
and accepted without remonstrance the retrograd'