New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-25
MR. STANTON.

Few men have been so fortunate IN their en-
emes rs Edwin NJ. Stanton. There is not
traitorous heart in an American bosom that
does not swell with rage at the mention OF his
name. BY an unerring instinct, every one
whose hopes were blasted, whose prophesies
were COMPOUNDED, whose high-raised expecta-
tons of Confederate triumph were dashed, by
tho results of Gettysburg Atlanta and Apo
mattox, bowls or Kisses when he hears of STAN
ton as still vital and vigorous. The World
speaks for the whole pack when, in announc-
ing Mr.. Stantons elevation to the bench of the
Supreme Court, it says:
"This bloated blackguard, this brutal minister and
recreant lawyer whose only eminence has been won by
overriding the laws OF the land and making his own head
long will stand for reason Is set to administer those
laws upon the bench which has been the pride OF the
American bar. In all Its annals, IT has never been
polluted before by the membership OF bully liar
slandercr or shedder OF innocent blood. That Presi-
dent Grant should confer this distinction upon by the
appointment OF a Stanton is not astonishing; but that
the Senate should conspre for its degradation and his
elevation by confirming such an appointment, is shock
ing and lamentable thing. 1t is only accountable on
tho suppostion that daring 20 outrage tho public
opinion by passing the bill which has been submitted to
them TO shear Supreme Court OF its strength, they
have attempted the result by the indirect
means OF filling bench with judges whom no man can
respect and whose humiliation man could regret"
Such testimonies to their fidelity and their
efficiency in unfolding the flag of the Union
in the darkest hours of the Republic, The
World reserves for the few who did and dared
most for the National cause. No Rebel states
man or soldier is ever treated by it otherwise
than respectfully if not admiringly.
SO far we had written yesterday morning,
stanton died this morning at o'clock"
What shall we add-what can we add, save
that the defense we meant for the living is as
proud eulOgy as can be paid the patriot deadf
His enemies were those who wished the Coun-
trys defeat; his friends were those who, with
him, agonized in her trial, labored for her sue
cesses, and rejoiced in her triumph.
1t is too soon to fix Mr.. Stanton's place in
History. We are too near his enormous and
wrath-inspiring work, too full of the passions
evoked by the great conflict, in which he was
one of the central figures, too much stirred by
the mournful and sudden loss. And yet, look
ing back at his career, and contrasting it with
that of some others In like positions, whose
place is no longer uncertain, we may even al
ready venture to forecast the estimate in which
will be held 10y the generations that are to
enjoy the fruition of his labOrs. He will not
be rated great Military Man, for his own
plans of campaigns were rarely sagacious or
successful. He will not be rated great Jurist,
for he was called to higher work Just as he
was approaching the development of his highest
legal capacities and requirements. He may
even indeed be found to have failed OF making
his mark on the history of the times as really
great Statesman. To call him the Camot of a
war greater than any of Napoleon's; to style
him the organizer of Victory, is to bestow COM
pliments that use has hackneyed, and he has
himself repeatedly and explicitly dsclamed.
Yet it is to this rank that his service and his
success fairly point. Men will remember his
enormous expenditures. They will recall his
impatience of opposition, his neglect of per-
sonal feelings, his relentlessness of purpose.
They will remember that it was mostly to men
of high rank that he gave offense, that to the
poor and defenseless lie was often gentle and
tender rs woman. They will see the tremen-
dous responsibilities the quick decision, the
unduenchable faith, the shrewd insight into
men. the hercuean labor, the courage
that no disaster could quench, the zeal
that no mountains of difficulty could check.
They will not forget how Lincoln leaned upon
him, how Congress trusted him, how the whole
Country felt safer so long as Stantomawas at
his post. Seeing this work, this trust, and the
great victory under him wrought out, they
will award him place second only to one in
the history of the War for the Union, will
rate him the greatest of modern War Minis
tiers, and will teach his name to their chill
drens children rs one to be held in honor for
ever.
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The Galveston (Texas) NspS has so far adj