The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-07-22

the restrictions more bitterly than the
head of any other department. The
authority which he loved so dearly wa'
slipping away from him. In the South
under the farce of so-called reeenstruc
ton, he still maintained his rule with
the iron rod. But the spirit of recon
ciliation and fraternal reunion was al
work, and it was not long before the
War Secretary and the President were
ut issue ......
Johnson recognized early the true
policy to be pursued towards the South
ern States, and by virtue Of his position
began to shape the course of his admin
istration in the way of amnesty and rec
onciliation. Stanton, clinging to hi
bayonet rule, opposed the Executive.
Then came the clash in the winter OF 1868.
The attempt of the President to suspend
the Secretary was followed by articles OF
impeachment, behind the prosecution o.
which Stanton stood as man who had
stsked all ON card. He est on the turn
and the policy Of peace and brotherly
love won. Stantons power was gone
and in the spring of 1868, he left the
War Department, where he had ruled IL
supreme master for six of the most
eventful wears in American history. He
was poor in purse, and broken in spirits
and now that the crayed excitement Wa
gone, he was plunged in gloom. Doubt
less he lived over the past, and the terri
bic secrets which he alone. OF the living
knew, came back with depressing power
1t was said he had resumed the prac'
tice of law, but it WIS only saying
Old party leaders felt that he must have
place for what he had done. When
Grant came into power in the spring OF
1869 Stanton was spoken of for foreign
mi lis ~, but nothing came OF 1t. RI
ualIv II December the President and
Congress did what they had done toI
other men who had outlived their time
shelved the poor old War Secretary upon
the Supreme bench as an associate
Justice. They had fixed hun for life,
and the country accepted it rs an assured
fact. This was on the 18th of December
Two or three DAYS later the President
condescendrd to call upon Mr. stanton
and rendered him the position, and 1t was
accepted. Perhaps the circumstances
of the interview ranked in the old man
bosom. He may have thought, regret
fully, Of the time when he directed and
Grant obcycd. The positions were
changed. and the former chief had
accepted a favor from the man ne had
virtually made. NJ one can tell the
Secretary thoughts, but the facts afford
ground for differences.
Mr.. Stanton resided in large house,
convenient to the Departments. 1t WAS
one of his customs to be- shaved at home
and this duty was performed bya col
orcd barber who came regularly for the
purpose. In Mr.. Stanton : private apart
mcnt stood an improviscd shaving chair,
and to these the trusty valet would go at
the appointed time To perform his duty.
Mr.. Stanton had been, apparently,
tailn. gradually in health fora week,
and had become 50 respondent rs almost
to excite fears of an alteration of mind.
Some idea of countcractng this seems to
have been in the minds Of the President
and Congress when the appointment was
so suddenly made and 50 promptly con-
frmrd by IN almost unanimous vote.
The remedy failed, however, of the dcSir-
od effect.
On the evening of the 23d Of Dc
ccmbcr, the Colorcd valet called to shave
Stanton. They were left alone in the
private apartment and Stanton took his
seat in the chair. The barber had par
italy finished his task, and, laying down
the razor in Il little side table near Stan
ton. stepped across the room for some
water. 4 movement started him, and
he turned Just in time to SEQ the glitter
ing steel fash by the barred throat leave
inc "A crimson streak in it, wake. Rush
ing to the side of Stanton, the frightened
barber caught the razor before another
stroke could BE- made. He called for
help. and in few minutes there w"r"
gathered mt the bedside the Surgeon
General. Il few truSty attaches of tn"
Government. and one or two members OF
the family. The work had been done,
however, and the life current reached.
At 3ucluck next morning Stanton was
dead. How well the secret of his death
has been kept those who read this to-day
may know. Very quietly and expedite
uu>lv the arrangements for the funeral
were made. There Was no lying i'll state,
and few looked upon the fac" of the
deceased The next day after his death
all that was mortal of Edwin VI. Stanton
WAS put +" rest, and with the clay was
buried his own and the secrets of tn
war.