The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-01
srANTON's GOOD TRAITS.
Incidents Illustrating his Integrity
Pride and Personal Dignity.

Bad, in many respects, as was the public ca
rser OF the late Edwin NJ Stanton, his private char
SSacter is said to have displayed many redeeming
Sraits, rarely met with among the "great men" OF
: our day. The New York Sun, whose managing edi.
tor was the assistant Secretary OF War during the
incumbency of Mr.. Stanton, gives some interes'
ting statements and "reminiscences In regard to
the deceased Secretary. The Sun says:
IMPOVERISHED BY THE WAR.
g When Mr.. Stanton went into the Cabinet Of Mr..
annum BE was six years Secretary OF war, and
in all that time he spent his salary aud drew upon
his private fortune 80 largely that when, about
two years ago, he left the department, he found
his property oil gone but his dwelling, and for the
last two years he has had to resort 10 his profess
sion to secure the means to live.
THE SECRETAEY's PRIDE.
He was too sensitive to let any one know his
circumstances, and toiled when he should have
rested and recuperated. Two weeks ago he made
en- argument before Justice Swayne, that the lat
ter pronounced one OF the finest and abest he
ever heard in his life. He would no; take case
without earning hls Zee, ana did not charge one
third the value OF his services. A mouth ago he
was sent o handsome retainer In the case VI the
State OF Pennsylvania vs. the Credit Mobllier. Lie
wrote to Louis Hall, who represented the state OF
Pennsylvania and asked him as q personal favor
to let the case rest until he had time to prepare
himself 70 be heard for the Credit Mobllier; that
he had olly Just been employed, and ne would
not 20 into court with any case until he under
stood IL in all its bearings. Hall wrote refusing
any delay. The trial must come on on the ensu-
ING Monday. Then Stanton returned the fee, and
he wrote that he could not do the company JUS
tce on so short notice ior pTeparation; ,,, ne dc
could not keep il, because he could not feel that
he could earn 1t on so short notice.
REFUSAL OF 100000.
Pew persons outside the circle Of Mr.. Stanton's
Yiosi intimate friends are aware OF the fact that
proposition was made, soon after his retirement
IRON office, to give him purse OF $780, 600. This
Sroect was conceived by some wealthy mer-
Ssants at private dinner party In this city, and
The full amount was raised on the spot. The next
question was how to induce Mr.. stanton to &C
cent the gift. Judge Pierrcpont was deputcd to
execute The delicate mission. He accordingly
went to- Washington. He first broachcd the sub.
iect to Mrs. Stanton. who replied that she did not
believe her husband would accept the present.
Mrs. Stanton said that she would mention 1t to
him on the first favorable opportunity. Mr.. STAN
ton was In the next room, AID probably over
heard the conversation. Judge Pierrepont then
went In to see him. He was sitting as an invalid
in his arm chair.
"He received me,n said Judge Plerrepont, 'with
his OLD kind smile, and although very feeble,
made m attempt to rise to shake hands. con.
Versed with him on different subjects, but did
not make alluSion to our project OF presenting
MIN purse. Finally arose to take my leave.
was lust about to open the door, when lie said:
"'Pierrepont, come back; have something to
say to YOUR
he gently laid his hand upon my shoulder, and,
looking me straight in the face, feelingly said:
~ have always regarded you as my friend,
Pierrepont. You a, going away now, and may
never see you again. i am, as you see. upon q
bed of sickness, from which may never rise. j
want you to do me 4 favor. When YOU go back
to'New York, tell my friends there and elsc-
where not to raise any money or other gifts for
me, for must refuse them ALL They have my
thanks for their kind intentiors, but eau never
and will never accepta cent Gs gilt from even
my best friend"
aI promised to comply with his request" con-
tinued Mr.. Pierrepont, "and the result was that
the project was abandoned"