St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-06-12
STATIONS BIOGRAPHY.
why fits Publication Would Deeply
Interest the People.
Special to the GLOBE.

special TO the GlODe.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE attack
which Gen. Joe Wheeler of Alabama made
recently in the house upon the character of
Edwin M. Stanton has stirred up a hor-
nets nest. Gen. Wheeler held his speech
back for some time to revise it and elimin-
ate all the forcible expressions which might
engender hard feelings. The speech shows
thorough research and in it there has been
collected a great deal of material throwing
light or shadow upon Stanton's record The
criticism comes from the wrong direction,
but 1t will serve its purpose. Judge KeI-
ley'S reply Tuesday will be followed in a
day or two by other defenders of Stanton.
In all the rush and volume of war literature
during the past few years no one has at
tempted to fill up the gap represented by
the name and loyalty of Edwin N. Stanton.
Much has been written about Lincoln, ali
that could possibly be printed that was good
about Grant has found its way into the
magazines and newspapers of the day;
Sherman has illustrated himself in his me-
mOirS, Logan has rushed into print, history
upon history has been written, and yet the
biography of Edwin NJ. Stanton remains
unpenned. When an admirer of Mr. Stan
ton called recently upon Col. Scott, who
was in charge of the war records, and con-
suited with him in regard to life of Stan
ton Col. Scott said:
We have the material here to write life of
Stanton, more abundant and more Illustrative
of his character than can be found for apy
other biography of an American that might
be attempted. All through the archives
which are stored in this office, no personality
no character, comes upon the student oftener
or with greater force, than does that of
Stanton. Lincoln's remark that he had no
influence with this administration was the
greatest tribute that was ever paid TO Stanton.
STANTON WAS THE ADMINISTRATION
so far as the war was concerned, and it seems
strange, in view of these facts, that the life
OF Stanton should not have been demanded
long ago by the craving of the American
people for information and light about one OF
the great characters of modern history. But
the fact is that Stanton made more enemies
than he ever made friends-that is from
among the number Of men who came in con-
tact with him. The people generally recog-
nized his loyalty and almost worshipped him:
but army officers, representatives, senators,
men IN public station who came in contact
with Edwin M. Stanton, have almost in
variably the imp1 ession of his harshness, his
intolerance and his tyranny. myself share
in this feeling, but it seems to me great in
justice that his biography has not been
written.
This speech of Gen. Wheeler more than
anything that has yet occurred ought to in
fuence Secretary Stanton's son, MI. Lewis
IL. Stanton. now a highly respected citizen
at Morris in Stevens county, Minnesota, to
see to it that the life of his father should be
written. Mr.. Stanton assured me not long
since that he had stored at his home all of
his fathers private papers, and that they
contained an almost untold wealth of infor-
nation in regard to the history of the war
matters which had never yet come to the
light and perhaps never would. There are
in those documents, it is said, papers which
would ruin the fair fame of many public
men and in marvellous ways upset and turn
the judgments and verdicts men have found
with regard to the loyalty and service of
public men. Now. if ever, Mr. Stanton
should see to it that some capable writer
should undertake the biography of his
father.