New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-21
EDWIN NJ. ST1NTON.
A CARD FROM JEREMIAH S. BLACK,


The Hon. jeremiah S. Black publishes a
letter. addressed TO The ". T. HerGld, giving bis own
views of MI stanon's position and sentiments while a
member OF Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet. 1t asserted. he
says that Mr.. Stanton into the Cabinet with views
entirely opposed those the President and his other
advisers whO with the exception of Messrs. Holt and
Wise, ready sacrifice the Union; that supported
by these he bucd the rest terrified tho President
into certain measures. and urged immediate coercion;
that he carried with high hand other points of sound
tude OF the political enemies OF the Administration Be
fore Mr. stanton fell away from the Demo
Black intimate and close. The subsequent sepa-
ration was political rather than personal and so late as
Summer friendly correspondence passed between
them. Mr.. StantOn's attitude toward MI Buchan-
torneyenera is either misunderstood or misreprcsent-
ed. He sustained 1t during every stage Of the Kansas
0uestIou ana no man felt more oatng than he did for
the knavery OF the AboOnists in refusing 10 for
the Lec0mpton Constitution" He wholly denied Mr.
hn created IN the party He had 10 favor for the Know
Nohngism of Bell and Everett. In the of lso0
he thought the safety OF the country depended on tho
election Of Breckenridge He knew MIR Lincoln person
ally and the account he gave OF him thing but
Mr. Black then devotes long paragraph to the usual
for the course OF Mr. buchanan, between the
election OF Lincoln IN November lsGO and his naugura
ton in March. 1sCl Had sectional party the right to
govern the nationf Could the President wage war
against the South Congress refused To give him au
thory TO do lie should not preciptate the country
into civil war for the incoming Administration TO man
age The views OF Mr. buchanan during this period were
fully sustained. Mr. Black tells u.s. 10y those OF Mr. Stan
entered hedd-certauly
passed his hps-that tho PRESIDENT ought 10 make war
upon the States" He knew it was legally and physically
impossible. In this part Of the letter Mr. Black seems
trying show what must nave been MI stantOns 0pln
ions by strong Democratic argument rather than telling
what he personally knew OF his opinions On the 2Oth OF
November Judge Black gave buchanan ms famous
legal opinion concerning the powers and duties OF the
President under the circumstances. Ibat document
held that the ordinances OF Secession were mere ules
that the States still IN the Union, ana the President
had right to execute his authority but that existing
means furnished by law sufficient 10 do 70, lie
could not adopt stronger means or uurp powers not
war upon a State. MFR. Stanton saw tins document be-
fore it went the President, suggested slight atera
ton. and not only approved but applauded 1T enthu
siasticaly" The President had previously thought that
Congress could make Secession cause for war against
however and the arguments Of Gen. Cass lie changed
part OF his referring TO this subject and the
ceiyed Mr.. stanton's hearty Endorsement. When
Gen. Cass retired from the Cabinet and MT
MIR Stanton was appointed Attorney General
his special recommendation, he declaring himself
hands This appointment IS in Itself PROOF OF ms
stanton real or expressed opinions No man In his
sober senses" says Mr. Black. can believe That would
have urged IT, or Mr.. Buchanan would have made IT, II
had not both known that he agreed with us the fIn
Mr. Stanton did not lind Mr. Holt or Gen DIX contend
ing against the rest OF the Administration MI iiot ~
grateful for the firm and gracious support which MT
Stanton had constantly extended 10 MN Zen DIX Was
not appointed until month after stanton entered the
Cabinet. Dix resided at the PRESIDENTS house during
the rest OF his term as member oi ms u, no
versy between them There were disputes and serious
differences Of opinion the Cabinet during Mr. Stant0ns
service, his share them has been falsely stated
Before election 1t determined that the fortr IN
Charleston HarbOr should De strengthened 50 as 10 make
them impregnable The order given, but the execu
ton OF IL was unaccountably put OF. When Cen Cass
ascertaned that the delay acqulesced IN ny the les
ident resigned. Two weeks afterward MAJ Anderson
threw his Fort sumter simultaneously came
certain commissioners from South Carolina. demanding
the surrender Of the fort 10 the state The answer TO
this demand, and the question whether Fort sumter
should be furnished with men ana provisions, were os
for three days, each day running lar INTO the
night"
Mr. Black intlmates, without saying It. that 1t was
through his uDaided exeftiOns that the hrs answer
TO the Con- nissOners drawn M BY the President WAS
changed aud that 1t finally decided to send AID aud
provision to Sumter "Thon came" he says, tho dos
perate struggle alone TO do what all had failed 70
effect The President gave up his first ground, yieded
the points which lie seemed most tenacious and te
ans Wer 10 South Carolina essentially changed.
During these discussions Mr. Stanton always true,
but the part he took by means leading one. lie
said many times that he there only thai
m. ght have two instead OF On no OCCASION
was there the slightest conflict between him and me. lie
exhibited the which some OF ms later
friends bas attributed 10 him. He never spoke without
the greatest respect for his colleagues and TIE prOfonudes
Difference for the President He said no WORD To the
President about rcsgnng. He told mo he would resign
il did, but when certain concessions was made 10 my
wishes he expressed himself satisfied. He did not furnish
one atom of the influence which brought the President
round on South Carolina, nor dd he ever
propose carry measures OF his own directly OF III
directly, relating the Secession trouble"