Litchfield enquirer., 1870-01-13
ANECDOTES OF HON. EDWIN M ...s....u.t . ssa STANTON, D .s..,
WAR REMrN1scRNsHs.

Dixon. "the Wasbi1d bon co respondent of the Boston Adrsrtiser, writes: lr ee4
 '.It was one day in 1864, if am right in my recollection, went up to the War De
 partment about ten o'clock in the morning and waited with others to see Secretary Stanton in the Adiatant's ofice. There were more of us, and we had to sit for hall an hour besore work gave him Q chance to come from his inner room. When he came, he stood as usual by the desk, and heard each mans story or request or petition. Thlrd or fourth in comi g forward was Q roughly dressed, elderly man, evidently embarrassed at finding himself face to face with the power of the War Office. He sta- ted his business in few words-one of his vessels had been used by the government and was now out of repair at New Orleans he wanted permissions to send down there from New York certain things, cordage and can vass, In part, for re6tting the .ship. so that he might get it to sea. He offered no
 papers to show who he was or prove the truth of his story, and none were called for by the Secretary. r.......-.
 ''Mr. Stanton eyed the man with doubt
 and suspicion cordage and canvass were contraband of war, and he thought the tale 8 mere cover for trade with the enemy. He stood silent moment, and then broke out
 in wrath. His first words were, Eve a good mind to send you to the Old Capi- toll The man dropped back a step or two, and then, evidently supposing his re- quest had not been understood, began to speak again-hesitating and stammerine.
 and making his case worse and worse with every syllable. The Secretary's voice was not loud, but you could not help feeling that it was intense with passion. Not another word sir! How dare you come here with such g story! Permit you to send cordage to New Orleans?-no sir, no sir: you'll get no such permit Are you trad. ing with the rebels, or just getting ready
 to trade? Permit?-1ll give you permit to the Old Capitol first! We've had too much of this shipping contraband goods. I'll not give you permit, sir-I'H watch you, and fla find you trading I'll shut you up. sir-shut you up, sir! Do you hear ? Now go about your business, sir, and be careful that we don't get hold of you.
 I'll not give you permit-that's my an- Fswer." ......... F.. s-..,, d..
 ''This view illustrates one side of MT.
 Stanton's character. He was at all times arbitrary and unreasonable, but it was in
 the public service-he did not always have time or heart for considering private rights. The old man left the office in con fusion, and with tears falling down his cheeks. The others of us stood in some
 fear and great amazement. for we knew very well what might be in the threat about the Old Capitol Some of ns went
 away without making known any business | doubtless we all breathed freer once out.
 side the building. It was no time for ask | ing favors; the dullest of us understood that we'll enough. a E.ss.,.-e... ..- "Two or three days later I was at the department again-this time after business
 hours. about four o'clock in the afternoon.
 The Secretary saw me in the Adiutant's s room, and called me'to the private office. You were here the other day when a man wanted permission to send some, supplies
 down to oNsw OrieansY I answered that I i was. And you remember what took place
 thenY I ventured, to say that I, thought
 uone of us who were present would forget
 the morning. sWell, well, never mind
 thas;I was very unjust to that man, and I
 want to find him again. I felt sorry after
 he went away---I looked into his case. and
 he's served the country; we wanted his ves- gel, and he let us have it for almost noth- ling; it's our business to pnt it in good OF.
 der. He don't want n permit but I ought
 to apologize to him. I've got his name-- do you know if he is in town and where he may be found? Happily I did know-he
 was at the hotel, much cast down and de Iiected. Will you go and give him my re- spects, and ask him to come up to my
 house at six o'clock--or stay, I'll send a man with you And he called clerk or messenger. This, man will show him where I live; you tell him that I want to make him an apology-tell him what I've
 said to you. It was wrong and unjust in Ime to speak to him as did We found the old gentleman at dinner. He started and turned pale when said he was want. ed by MT. Stanton, but I soon made him
 understand how be would be received.
 When he returned from the Secrerary's
 hopse he was in an ecstacy of delight ! Hes good man, and can have whatever I've got that will help on the war for ths lold flag under which I've sailed % long. v