Daily globe., 1883-08-27
" HI2H MALICE TOWARD
NONE"
Ho'" lincoln Came to Choose Stanton. Is
One Of His COunSeII0rS.
[Ernrn the Ynutll,s Communion


Not infrequently we feel, while list
ering to a speech full of generous SEN
timent, "Would that the orators life
illustrated his words '' 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 NJ.
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- chief 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 9 manner that he went to Mr.. Nc
Cormicl1 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 room adjoin-
ing where the conversation occurred,
and with his own ears heard Stanton
say that" he could not otassociate withsuch
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.
Wien Mason and Sl;daeli, as Commits
sioners Of the Confederacy to England.
were captured 18th November, 1861 on
the English maiI-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 were in a state of alarm because
of the danger Of war with England.
NJ. Chase cne day came to the Presi
dent and tolG him that Edwin NJ
StantoG had talked with him on The
subject Of ,ha troubles with Grea
Britain. and had expressed the opinion
that tl.e action Of tle American Govern
ment in aIresting Mason and Sidell wa
rir}t and CoulJ he sustained bv inter
national law.
The President told Mr.. Chase tha
Mr.. Stanton did not like him and ha
treated him rudely on one occasion, bu
that il Mr. Chase thought Nj. Stanto
would meet him he would be glad t
have him Go SO, and give his views O
the subject.
In an hour Mr. Chase had Mr.. Stan
ton in 1Ir. Lincoln's presence. Mr.. Lin
COLI expressed his qualification at heal
ing Of Mr.. Stlntons views, and aske
him to repeat them to himself.
Mr.. Stanton proceeded to discussio
of the case and the laws bearing Thereon
Mr.. Lincoln listening attentively. Nj
Lincoln expressed his thanks, and aske
Mr.. Stanton to put his opinion
writing, which he promised to do by l
o'clock next morning.
The option was brought at the al
pointed time. Mr.. Lincoln read it al
filed il, and then said:
"Mr. Stanton, this is time of wa
and yon are as much interested IN su
tanning the Government as myself
anv otAer man. This is no time to co
side i:a:ty Issues. The life of the matte
is il, danger. need the best counselo
arou-d NE.
81 nave every confidence in yo
judgment, and have concluded to q
you to become one of my counsellor
The ctice of Secretary of War viii
vacant, and I want you to accept t
portfolio. VIII you do it ?"
Stanton was amazed, and said: ''Wh
Mr. = -Asi i1a-t Won alya mo nv s11rprie