Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-10-04
Mr.. Stanton's Manner.

Mr.. Stanton's Manner.
The manner of Mr.. Stanton's in-
tercourse with the general public
while he was Secretary of War, up
to the time of Lees surrender, was
repellant. He had so much work
TO perform, so much responsibility
constantly to assume, that he had
no time to think of aught else; and
he seemed to feel that every one
who even addressed him occupied a
precious moment Of time that could
be more profitably employed. He
acted like one out Of humor with
the ordinary methods Of giving and
receiving ideas. And laboring un-
der the constant feeling that he had
not half the time he desired to do
his work, he fretted under the inflic-
ton, and probably found some ap-
parent relief in venting his irrita-
tion on those who came into his
presence He was such terrible
task-master to himself that he never
thought of the feelings of others
He was successful-why should 9th
ers fail? He was quick of percep-
tion-wlly should any be dull? He
never wanted any relaxation-why
should anyone complain of being
overwrought? During the greater
part of the war he deied the de-
mands ofnatNre forrepose. Through
the live-long 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 a few hours Of sleep,
to be again at work at early dawn.
Commanding the ablest assistants
the nation afforded, as secretaries,
these one after another broke down
under tho protraotcd labor demand
ed by him, and inspired by his own
example. He turned the library of
the War Department into tele-
graph office; a corps of clerks re-
lieved each other every few hours
in receiving and sending messages.
Mr.. Stanton read these messages
and dictated their answcrs-and
they numbered hundreds a day-as
mere incident Of tho routine of
his daily work. What time had he
for the amenities of life?
The real character of Mr.. Stanton,
however, was exactly the reverse of
that which was presented to the
outside world. He was a man, by
nature, of the finest sensibilities,
where he could indulge them with
out sacrificing his sense Of justice.
In this last quality he was literally
of Roman frmncss. The few who
knew him intimately were attached
to him by ties Of the warmest friend
ship and admiration. The simple
ity of his natural manner made him
fond of children, and he would re-
lax in their presence, and charm
them by his freedom, After Gen.
Grant was President elect, Mr..
Stanton, with others, made an ex-
cursion to Fortress Monroe. On
the steamer he sat apart from the
gay throng of excursionists, abb
sorbed in his own thoughts, this
temporary relief from care probably
only forcing upon him keener
sense of his i'll health. Presently
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 lit
tie innocent was content with nc
other company. The result was
that this demonstrativc friendship
brought the father Of the child and
Mr.. Stanton into conversation
The result was that the most power.
full journalist of the opposition press
and the severest toward Mr.. Stan
ton throughout the war, became the
personal friend Of the great Secre
tary.
The only relaxation Mr.. Stanton
indulged in while Secretary was
characteristic of the natural amia-
bility of his nature. Every morn
ing he appeared in the street with
basket on his arm, intent upon do
ing his own marketing. On this
important occasion he was wont tc
throw aside the cares of his official
position. He walked slowly, and il
ever, when out-of-doors, he INDUCED
in a moment of gossip, or gave ex
preston to the language of courte
sy, it was on this journey to ane
from the market. Having selected
his dealer, he gave the man hi
patronage, and this person was
probably the only man in Washing
ton who had no hesitation in saying
what he pleased to Mr.. Stanton
with the certainty Of being patiently
listened to, and getting kind an
swer in return. Very little exami
nation into the undcr-currents O
Mr.. Stanton's life will show how
little he was really understood, moi
only by his enemies, but by the ma
jority of his personal friends.-CoL
Il. b. THORPE, in Harper's Maya
cine for October.