The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-01-06
From WashingtOn-An HlIJlstra-
trafiOn of Mr. StantOn's
Religious Character.
! From the Wisconsin State journal.
WASHINGTON D. G, Dec, 81, '60.

| WASHINGTON L. " DcCs ~, 'O0.
The funeral of the Hon. Edwin NJ. Stanton
! took place at 10 O'Clock M, to day, under the
supervision of the War Department, but at
the special request of Mrs. Stanton, was con-
Quoted without military display and with as
| little ostentation as possible. OF his many
noble qualities as a citizen, and of the official
character of the deceased, l will leave ADLER
pens than mine to speak; but one incident
connected with the unwritten history of that
| great man, and which was related TO the pub
| lie yesterday for the first time, SO fully illus
| trates the cause OF Ills wonderful success in
the administration of the Department of War
! during the late rebellion, L cannot refrain
| from giving it wider publicity. The incident
referred to was related by Rev. DR.. Gray, who
was at the time of its occurrence, Chaplain
of the United States Senate. The Rev. DR..
| Fulton, of Boston, was in this city during the
| time that Mr.. Stanton was in possession of
the Office Of the secretary of War contrary to
| the desire of Andrew johnson, but very much
| to the satisfaction of DR.. Fulton, who, in COM
pany with DIR. Gray, called on the Secretary
| to pay their respects, and to encourage the
Secretary in his laudable determination to
serve the country in the full discharge of his
duty against the intriguing designs ofan. un-
scrupulous President. During the interview
! the following occurred: V4'
DR., Fulton said to Mr.. Stanton that he had
ever regarded the office of Secretary of War as
the mos. Important to the country and the
most difficult position to fill in the Cabinet,
ana hence ue udu mduC LuG ADMINISTRATION
of that Office and Mr.. Stanton himself spe-
cial object of prayer daily, that he might be
guided Alright in the discharge of his arduous
and responsible duties. Mr.. Stanton thanked
him Kindly and remarked that, while he was
not q religious man himself IN the common
acceptetion of that term, he was nevertheless
o firm believer in the efficacy of true and ear
nest prayer, and that he had made it an unde-
waiting custom upon the receipt of important
dispatches during the war, to spread them
| before him ON his table, ard, after locking
his door, to get down on his knees and hum
bly, ask God to guide him in his deliberations,
after which he would carry the dispatches to
President Lincoln for consultation. Both mir
listers were of course very much pleased with
on the providence food. They, therefore,in-
quired Of the Secretary if they were at liberty
to repeat that part of the interview. Mr. Stan
ton replied mo, you are not, either of you,
at liberty to relate to any one
any part of this conversation,
as it could accomplish no good, and
might be construed by my enemies, as am
now situated, as bid for the sympathy of the
Christian world 4" mo" he added, "you
may not repeat a syllable of what have told
you, so long as am living; but, when am
dead, then you may relate it, ifyou choose to
do so.
The recital of this touching incident, by DR..
Gray, in the delivery ofhis sermon at the f
Street Baptist Church, in this city, yesterday,
viii never be forgotten by the writer, or any
one whe heard it.. This is so Characteristic of
the man. and withal exhibits so much of the
trnly Christian principle which characterized
all his acts, both public and private, that
steadfastly followed by his successocs in of
flee, and by all our Government officials, will
be the heartfelt aspiration of all true friends
of the Republic. aG 965 ii. r. M.