New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-03
MIR, .yissDiDn'S Manner,


The manner Of Mi. Stanton's Intercourse
with the general public while he was Score.
/ tarv Of War, up to the time Of Lees surren-
der, was rcpcllcnt. He had so much WORK
! to perform, 50 much responsibility constantly
| to assume, that he had no time 30 think OF
aught else. and he seemed to feel that every
one who even address 81 him occupied a pre-
! ciouS moment Of tiu3r that could be more
protitabIy employed. He acted like one out
of humOr with the ordinary methods Of civ
! ing and receiving ideas. And, laboling I'M
der the constant feeling that he had not halt
| the time he desired TO do his work, he frettcd
under the infection, and probably found some
| apparent relief in venting his irritation on
| those who came into his presence. He was
such a terrible task-eastcr to himself that
he never thought Of The feelings Of others.
He was successful-why should others fail ?
He was quick Of perccption-why should any
be duh: He never wanted Reconsideration
| should complain Of being overweight: Dur
ing the greater part of the war he defcd the
demands OF nature for Tepose. Through the
liveloug day he would toll in his office, and,
when the multitude were gone, would labor
on until two and three O'Clock in the morn
ing, snatchinG few moments for sleep, to
be again al work At early dawn.
Commanding the ablcst assistants the ma
another hroke down under the protractcd
labor demanded 10y hi,a, and inspired by his
own example. He turned the library Of the
War Department into a telegraph office; n
corps Of clerks relieved each other every few
hours IN receiving and sending messages.
Mr.. Stanton read these messages and dc
tatcd their anSWers--and they numbered
hundreds Il iay-as a mere incident of the
routine Of his daily work. What time had
he for the amenities Of life:
The real character of Mr.. Stanton, how
ever, was exactly the reverse of that which
was presented to the outside world. He was
man, by nature, of the finest sensibilties,
where he could indulge them without sacri-
hcinC his sense Of justice, In this last
quality he was literally of Roman !irmness.
The few who knew him intimately were at
tachel to him by lies of the warmest friend
ship and admiration. The simplicity Of his
natural manner made him fond Of children,
and he would relax in their presence, and
charm them by his freedom. After General
Grant was President-elect, Mr.. Stanton. with
others, made an excursion to Fortress Mon
roe. On the steamer he sat apart from the
gay throng Of cXcTsionists, absorbed in his
own thoughts, this temporary relief from
care probably only forcing upon him keener
sense of his ili-health. ~fgresently he made
the acquaintance Of a bright little girl, some
four years old, and so charmed the child by
his efforts to please her, that the little limo
cent was content with no other company
The result was that this demonstratve friend
ship brought the father of the child and Mr.
Stanton into conversation. The result was
that the most powerful journalist of the OPP
position press, and the scverest toward Mr..
Stanton throughout the war, became a per-
sonal friend OF the great Secretary.
The only relaxation Mr.. Stanton INDUCED
in while Secretary was characteristic of the
natural amiabilty of his nature. Every
morning he appeared in the street with
basket on his arm, intent upon doing his own
marketing. On this important occasion he
was wont 20 throw aside the cares Of his
official position. He walked slowly, and if
ever, when out of doors, he INDUCED in
moment OF gossip, or gave expression to the
language of courtesy, it was on that journey
to and from the market. Having selected
his dealer, he gave the man his patronage,
and this person was probably the only man
in Washington who had no hesitation in say
ing what he pleased to Mr.. Stanton, with the
certainty Of being patiently listened 10, and
getting kind answer in return. Very little
examination into the under currents of Mr..
Stanton's life will show how little he was
really understood, not only BY his enemies,
but by the majority of his personal frends.--
Wagpe.'s -VGgdzi1e.