The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-03
ANTEDATING.

From the NJ Y. World
We have always had sincere respect for
chronology and dates. 1t is comfort to
know that George Washington was, beyond
peradventure, born on the 22d of February
IN. S., 1882, and independence declared on
the 4th of July, 1776-though there is some
confusion about the signatures, and SO on,
with all the accredited dates of our story,
down to Mr.. Lincoln's Good Friday To have
ones timetable disturbed is always annoying
Then, too the law steps in and insists on the
sanctity of dates. If man, in order to pro-
mote his own interests and mislead others,
executes promissory note, or bond, or an
indenture, and puts a false date to it, he is
amenable to penalties and his deed is good
for nothing. These simple truths seem,
however likely to be overset, and this, too,
under the auspices and by the direct agency
of no less person than the ''sainted" Presi-
dent Lincoln. l.t II .r...
In the "Ohronicles of the Great Rebellion"
we read and it is no doubt SO recorded in the
archives of the War Department.
'1s62-January IS. Simon Cameron resigned his
position as Secretary Of War Edwin M Stanton,
OF Pennsylvania, appointed IN his place."
The simple-minded reader receives this as
verify; and yet it now turns out that there is
not one word of truth in it, either as to time
| or facts (and for this we are indebted to the
| Taibune); that Cameron did not resign, but
|
long before the date to which it is credited.
The actual story, as given by the Tribune,
| runs thus
| "Coionel Alexander X. Mcclure, of Pennsylvania,
in letter over his own signature, says that Cameron
| Lincoln without previous notice. The letter an
| nouncing it, and that Stanton had been appointed
was delivered by Secretary Chase Colonel McClur,
says he saw this letter soon after 1t was delivered
| and remembers the Indignation with which 1t wa
received by Mr.. Cameron"
Then follows a statement, precisely and
categorically made, to which we beg the at
tention of all the loyal historical societies o.
the country, and compilers of chronological
tables and dictionaries of dates-
''Mr. Lncolns letter Of dismissal was withdrawn
and the substitution OF correspondence, antedatn
the removal, was suggested to Mr.. Cameron in m
was discussed and confidently relied upon TO max
him consent to such a correspondence. He was ap
pealed to on the subject and agreed to it. Letter
were then prepared giving the dismissal OF MI
Cameron the appearance OF voluntary and cordis
retirement from the Cabinet" ODD
Really, this is very refreshing; and the per
feet equanimity with which Mr.. Mcclure, al
accredited Pennsylvania politician, record
the fact that the conspirators to falsify his
torical truth discussed" the question whethe
Mr.. Lincoln's generous disposition" coul
be relied on to such an extent is marvellous
Fancy General Washington-whose function
according to some pictures or engravings, ha
lately been to welcome his martyred sucoesso
to the realms of bliss-being asked afte
, he turned Edmund Randolph out Of the Stat
Department, as he did, to antedate lette
and substitute gentle, friendly resignation
, Imagine Camerons friend, Andrew Jackson
/ when in behalf of Mr.. Eaton he made Cab
net hecatomb, agreeing to ''antedate' an
salye over. And yet this Mr.. Lincoln di
, without scruple, and Colonel Alexandt
Mcclure, who worships at his shrine, sees n
harm in it, and the Tribune utters no dissen