Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-02-02
CLEARFIELD, Pa WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1870

on tue ord oil Mafcn, lcolj Appended
10 bis resignation strong expression
ofh his gratitude for the "frm and gen
erous support" which Mr.. Buchanan
had constantly extended to him, and
pays q warm tribute to the "enlight
ened craftsmanship and unsullied pa,
triotism' OF the outgoing President
Gen. Dix was not there at all when Mr.
Stanton came in. lie was appointed
a month afterwards, when there was
no disagreement In the Cabinet. lie
took up bis residence atthe Presidents
house as a member Of the family, and
romained there the whole time Of his
eervice as head of the Treasury De
partmcnt. He performed his duty
faithfully, firmly, and in a way which
met with universal appreciation. | do
not recollect that he had one word of
serious controversy with the Presi-
dent or with anybody else. If, there
fore, Mr.. Stanton was at any time en-
gagged in dragooning the President
and hectoring his colleagues, he could
not have had Mr.. Holt and Gen Dix
for bis hackers.
There were disputes and serious DIFF
ferences of opinion in the Cabinet dur
ing the period of Mr.. Stanton's ser
vice but his share in them has not
been truly stated. ] am not writing
the history of those times, and there
fore | say nothing of what others did
or forbode to do, except so far as may
be necessary to show Mr. Stanton's
acts and omissions in their true light.
Before the election it was determine
ed that the forts in Charleston harbor
should be strengthened so as to make
them impregnable. The order was
given, but the execution of ii was
unaccountably put of. When Gen.
Cass ascertained that the delay was
acquiesced in by the President he re-
signed Two weeks afterwards Maj
Anderson, commanding Fort Moulirie
and apprehending an attack, threw
his garrison into Fort Sumpter Sim
ultaneously came certain Commission
ers from South Carolina demanding the
surrender of tho latter Fort to the
State. The character of the answer
that should be given TO the commits
sioners and the question whether Fort
Sumpter should be furnished with
men and provisions were discussed for
three days, each day running far into
the night.
On the one side il was insisted that
the surrender of the fortress was so
utterly compatible with our plainest
duty that the demand itself was a
gross insult To leave il in a condi-
ton which would ena ble rebellious
citizens to take it if they pleased was
still worse, for that would be merely
another mode of making the surren-
der, and worse one, because it would
be fraudulent and deceptive. Major
Anderson should, therefore, be imme.
diaiely so reinforced that "his castles
strength would laugh a siege TO
scorn," and then no attack would be
made. This last, instead of being dan
gerous, was the only measure that
gave MS a chance for safety il would
not bring on hostilities, but avert
them, and If war must come at all
events, the possession of Fort Sumpter,
which commanded the other forts, the
harbor and the city, would be of in.
calculablc value to the government Of
the Union.
To this there was absolutely no an
swer, except what consisted in saying
that the fort could not be relieved
without difficulty and danger of sue,
ccssful opposition that South Caro-
lima would take it as an afiront, and
that it was tantamount TO a threat of
coercion, The replication was easily
made. There was no danger Of even
an attempt at resistance to ship-of
war the statements made of the hos
tile power were mere brag; if South
Carolina took offence at our prepara-
ton for tho safety of our own men
aud our own property, she must
already be in temper to make recon
citation impossible; and, as TO coercion,
let her take care not TO cocree us, and
she will be safe enough.
At length the President produced
his decision in the form Of an answer
to the commissioners. While il was
far from satisfactory to the Southern
members, il filled us with consterna-
ton aud grief
Then came the desperate struggle
Of one alone TO do what all had failed
to effect 1t was painful in the ex-
trcme, but Unexpectedly short and
decisive. The President gave up his
first ground, yielded the points on
which be had seemed most tenacious
the answer to South Carolina was
essentially changed, and il was agreed
that Fort Sumpter should have men
and provisions.
During these discussions Mr.. Stan.
ton was always true, but the part he
took was by no means a leading one.
He said many times that he was there
only that | might have two votes in
stoai Of one. On no occasion was
thoto the slightest conflict between
him and me. He exhibited mono Of
the coarseuess which some of his later
frictds have attributed to him. lie
nevtr spoke without the greatest
respect for his colleagues, and the
proioundest Difference to the Presi.
dent lie said no word TO the Prcsi.
dent about resigning. lie told me
that he would resign if | did but
when certain concessions were made
to my wishes he expressed himself
perfectly satisfied. He didno furnish
one atom of the influence which
brought the President round on the
answer TO South Carolina. Nor did
he over propose or carry any measure
Of bis own, directly or indirectly, rela.
ting to the secession troubles. lie
uniformly professed TO be as anxious
for the preservation of tho public
peace as any man there.
II would be a wrong to the memory
Of Mr.. Stanton not TO add that 80 far
as know, he never gave countenancc
or encouragement TO those fabulous