The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-01-06
DEATH OF EDWIN M. STANTON.

The journals of the country had not ceased to
comnent upon the appointment and confirmation
of EDWIN M. STANTON as one of the Supreme
Judges of the United States, when the news was
flashed across the continent Of his sudden DEATH
He died in Washington city on Friday, oath OF pe-
cember, in the ffty-fourth year of his age fer-
haps no man has occupied larger share OF puoii'
attention in this country during the last dec@ae
than Mr.. STANTON. Even the chosen representa-
tives of the Northern and Southern people, uurins
those terrible years of civil strife, were not 50
frequently mentioned as the willy anu astute Sec
retary of Wan whose death is now chronicied.
On the one hand admired for his stern infexibiity
in the prosecution of the war, and on the other
ocorcelv less contenned for his unmereiful treat
ment of conquered people. But he has gone 10
the bar of eternal judgment, and is alike beyond
the praise of his admirers and the censure OF his
foes. Much has been written concerning the life
and services of Mr.. STANTON and his death has
evoked sharp criticism upon many of his public
acts, But we prefee not to speak of the dead IN
terms of reproach and contumely Hence with
this brief allusion to the character and services OF
Mr.. STANTON, we give the following sketch Of his
lifs copied from tie Wilmington Star:
Edwin NJ. Stanton was of Quaker origin, and
WAS horn at Steubenville, Ohio, in 1915. His pa
rents we're emicrants from Culpeper county, Va.
In 1888, he entered Kenyon College, and after
studying there q year became booksellers clerk
in Columbus, Ohio While in that city he studied
law. and was admitted to the bar IN 1000.
Thence he removed to Cadiz and soon after that
to Steubenville where he soon gained large anu
remunerative practice.
In 184S he went to Pittsburg, Pa, and rising
rapidly in his profession, began to be much en-
ployed in the Supreme Court at washington
Finally. he removed to the national capital and
was employed by Attorney General Black to plead
the cause Of the United States in some land cases
of great Importance pending in aOalitornia Court.
The secession troubles coming on, Hon. Lewis
Cass resigned his position as Secretary OF State,
and Mr.. Black. succeeded him. MIR. stanton was
then appointed Attorney General. Formerly a
violent Democrat, on the accession of power to the
Republican party he became o loud spoken adhe-
rent of the Lincoln administration, and soon be-
came known throughout the Union as a bitter
Radical.
In 1862 he was appointed Secretary of War, and
held that portfolio until the spring of 1867, long
after he had been requested by the President to
resign. The circumstances attending his exit
from the War Office are well remembered by our
readers. Since that time he has been travelling q
rood deal, and his friends have for year Tast
Thought that his health did not promise much
longer lease of life His appointment to the Su,
preme Court bench few days ago was received
with pleasure by the Radical party, and the Sen.
ate confirmed his nomination without the sual
reference to committee.
Secretary Stanton had many enemies perhaps
no man in the United States had more His ad-
mirers claimed for him high degree Of abityas
o lawyer and unwayering devotion to principle
Other people always spoke of him as narrow
minded, vindictive and lacking the best instincts
Of humanity, but withal shrewd, talented and en-
erpetic