Daily globe., 1883-08-27


Not infrequently we feel, while list
ening to speech full of generous SEN
timent, "Would that the orators life
illustrated his words p Among the
"winged words" uttered by President
lincoln were these With malice TO-
ward none, with charity for ALL" There
was no divorce between his conduct and
his utterance.
An anecdote which tells how Mr..
Lincoln came to appoint Mr.. Edwin M.
Stanton Secretary of War illustrates the
nature of the man who was too great to
bear malice.
In order to make the history of this
appointment complete in all its mean
ings and bearings, it will be necessary
to go back to the year 1858, when Abra-
ham Lincoln was practicing law in
Springfield, H., and Edwin M. Stanton
was at the head Of his profession in Gin
cinnati.
The celebrated McCormick's mower
and reaper case was before the United
States Court in Cincinnati. Stanton was
retained as the counseI-in-ch in the
case for Mccormick, with T. D. Lincoln,
of Cincinnati, and Abraham Lincoln, of
Illinois-Lincoln having been McCor-
mick's attorney in Chicago.
When Lincoln arrived in Cincinnati to
attend the trial he called upon Stanton,
who treated him in so rude and so i'm
polite q manner that he went to Mr.. Nc
Cormick and informed him that he
should have to withdraw as counsel in
the case, stating his reasons therefor.
Mccormick begged him to remain, and
went to Stanton to talk about the
matter Lincoln was in q room adioin-
ing where the conversation occurred,
and with his own ears heard Stanton
say that g he could notassociate withsuch
a gawky, long-armed ape as that; if he
could not have a man who was a gentle
man in appearance, he would himself
abandon the case"
When Mccormick returned to Lincoln
the latter refunded him his $500 retain
er's fee, peremptorily declining to keep
it, and returned to Illinois.
After this event Mr.. Lincoln never
met Stanton TIL events brought them
together. ~
When Mason and Si;daeli, as Commits
sioners of the Confederacy to England,
were captured 18th November, 1861 on
the English mail-vessel Trent, there
was great exultation among loyal people,
in which Lincoln, Chase, Blair, Sumner
and the rest shared.
But Mr.. Seward, Lincoln's Secretary
Of State, shook his head and expressed
fears of grave complications with En-
gland. Ali remember the signal danger
that the Government escaped through
Mr.. Stewards diplomacy.
By December Mr.. Lincoln and his
Cabinet we're in a state of alarm because
Of the danger Of war with England.
Mr.. Chase one day came to the Presi-
dent and told him that Edwin NJ.
Stanton had talked with him on the
subjec, Of }le troubles with Great
Britain. and had expressed the opinion
that tLe action OF the American Govern
ment IN arresting Mason and Siden was
right and could be sustained by inter-
national law.
The President told Mr. Chase that
Mr.. Stanton did not like him and had
treated him rudely on one occasion, but
that il Mr.. Chase thought Nj. Stanton
would meet him he would be glad to
have him 90 SO, and give his views on
the subject
In an hour Mr. Chase had Mr.. STAN
ton in Mr.. Lincoln's presence. Mr.. Lin
COLI expressed his qualification at hear
ing Of Mr.. St,nton's views, and asked
him to repeat them to himself.
Mr.. Stanton proceeded to discussion
VI U1S case tlIO bI1O 1dWS UCdI1uS5 ll1GI0Ous
Mr.. Lincoln listening attentively. Mr..
Lincoln expressed his thanks, and asked
Mr.. Stanton to put his opinion II
writing, which he promised to do by 10
o'clock next morning.
The option was brought at the ap-
pointed time. Mr.. Lincoln read it and
fled it, and then said:
"Mr. Stanton, this is time of war
and yo1 are as much interested in sus
tanning the Government as myself O
any other man. This is no time to con
side l:a:ty Issues. The life of the natio1
is il. danger. need the best counsellor
arou4d NE.
81 nave every confidence in you
judgment, and have concluded to asl
you to become one of my counselIors
The c1ice of Secretary of War viii b.
vacant, and I want you to accept th'
portfolio. Will you do it"
Stanton was amazed, and said: ''Why
Mr.. President, you take me by surprise
l. d.