The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1872-10-08
MIR. sTANToN,s MANNER.

The manner of Mr. stantons intercourse
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 per-
form, so much responsibility constantly to as
sumo, that he had no time to think Of auclt
else; and he seemed to feel that every one
who even addressed him occupied precious
moment of time that could be more profitably
employed. He acted like one out of huinor
with the ordinary methods of giving and re-
ceiving ideas. And laboring under the con-
slant feeling that he had not half the time he
desired to do his work, he fretted under the
infiiction, and probably found some apparent
relief in venting his irritation on those who
came into his presence. He was such a ter
rble task-master to himself that he never
thought of the feelings of others He was sue
cessful-why should others fail? He was
quick of pereeption-why should any be dull ?
lie never wanted relaxation--who should
complain of being overwrought? During the
greater part of the war he defied the demands
of nature for repose. Through the livelong
day he would toll in his office, and when the
i'st'i"e"io NSip sohS, Nouiu lhpoI Ou uiibll
two and three o'clock in the morning. snatch
ing few moments for 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 the protracted labor de-
manded by him, and inspired by his own ex-
| ample. He turned the library of the War
into tala .4t,x, q
clerks relieved each other every few hours in
receiving and sending messages Mr.. Stanton
read these messages and dictated their
answers-and they numbered hundreds a day
las mere incident of the routine of his daily
work. What time had he for the amenities
of Hfep
The real character of Mr.. Stanton, however,
was exactly the reverse of that which was
presented to the outside world. He was
man by nature, of the finest sensibilities,
where he could indulge them without sacri-
ficing his sense of justice. In this last quail
| ty he was literally of Roman firmness. The
| few who knew him intimately were attached
to him by the ties of the warmest friendship
and admiration. The simplicity of his natur-
I'll HiittiB luilu VI
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 Monroe. On the
steamer he sat apart from the gay throng of
excursionists, absorbed in Ills own thoughts,
this contemporary relief from care probably
only forcing upon him keener sense of his
i l., 10
lance of bright little girl some four years old,
and so charmed the child by his efforts to
please her that the little innocent was content
with no other company. The result was that
the most powerful journalist of the opposition
press and the seryerest toward Mr. Stanton
throughout the war became personal friend
of the great Secretary
The only relaxation Mr.. Stanton INDUCED
in while Secretary was characteristic of the
natural amiability of his nature. Every morn
ing he appeared in the street with basket ON
his arm, intent upon doing his own marketing.
On this important occasion he was wont to
throw aside the cares of his official position.
He walked slowly and if ever when out of
doors, he INDUCED in a moment of gossip, or
gave expression to the language of courtesy,
it was on this journey to and from the market.
Having selected his dealer, he gave the man his
patronage, and this person was probably the on
ly man in Washington who had no hesitation
in saying what he pleased to Mr.. Stanton, with
the certainty of being patiently listened to,
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 friends.-Col-
onel r. b. Thorpe, in Ha,per's Mngazi,e for
October.