The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-01-04
LINCOLN AND STANTON.
The Ex- Presidents steadfastness and Kind
ness,
N. Y. Tribune.

The Ex-Presidents steadfastness and Kind
ness.
NY. Tribune
One of the old-timers in Virginia is Gen.
eral A. II. II. Stuart. He Is one of the few
men living who has recollection OF Thomas
Jefferson. In his youth General Stuart
was frequent guest at Monticello. While
at Natural Bridge, few days ago, General
Stuart found formation OF rock, which
he declares is q most striking profile
OF Jefferson's face. 1t has already been
named "Jeferson's Profile" aud will be
pointed out to future visitors as one OF the
cuIiosities of that resort.
General Stuart, by the way, tells OF re-
markable interview which he had with
President Lincoln at Washington just be-
fore the opening of the hostillties at
Charleston. The Virginia convention was
in session and had sent q committee, of
which General Stuart was member, to con-
fer with the President, and If possible in
duce him to adopt a course which would
save the country from war. They had a
long conference with the President, and
not an altogether satisfactory one. As
they were leaving, General Stuart with
drew from the other members, and asked
permission of the President to speak to
him alone for few minutes. When they
were by themselves he urged uDOn the
Il
Carolina, both from the sea and the land,
the suspension of the m1iis, the revenue
service. railroad travel, and the cutting off
of all communication of every description.
eff YOU will do this Mr.. President, and
give the Union men of the South time to
gather force and strength and to argue
with the people OF the South, South Caro-
lima will stand alone, and her return to
the Union will then be a question only OF
I,a onlxr civ
with pathetic emotion. Whatever it
might be possible to avert or prevent by
any other course" said Mr.. Lincoln, II
have sworn to defend the flag of the Ma
tion and to preserve the honor of the Ma
ton. 1t has been assailed by rebellion.
The flag has been fred upon, and it is my
duty to defend it. There is no middle
course now."
Another story OF President Lincoln
which comes from Samuel Fessenden, of
Connecticut, gives new testimony of his
kindness of heart. Mr.. Fessenden was in
Washington as a boy with his uncle, the
late Senator William Pitt Fessenden, of
Maine, who was one of the giants of his
day in the United States Senate. The Sena-
tor took the lad with him to the White
House one day when he had occasion to
call on The President. A great many
things were discussed between the states.
men which were beyond the lads
knowledge ana comprehension. The
one thing that he does re-
member, however, YVES the Presi-
dents appeal to the Senator to know what
be would DO in case where boy soldier
had been sentenced to be shot for disobey-
ing orders. Said Mr.. Lincoln to the Sena-
tor: ut is seldom that ] am placed in
such an embarrassing csition as that IN
which You find me this morning. Here is
a poor widow whose only son is an enlisted
soldier who is negligent of his duty, and
cQnrt.martial has adjudged that be is guilty
of q military crime, of which the penalty
is death. The judgment has been pro-
nounced upon him and the poor woman
is here asking for his pardon. The
boys action lest nothing to Us, but
the army officers say If the repIieve grant
ed it will destroy all disci pine and make
it impossible to secure obedience from the
men. Now, what would you do in such
case?" Senator Fessenden replied that his
action would be guided by his heart, and
that il would be favorable to the widow.
WhereupOn Mr.. Lincoln said, with half
smile, as If he thought il would be amuse-
ment to see his great War Secretary angry:
"Well, that is Just what 1 have done, bat
expect that Secretary Stanton will be ter
ribly angry when he hears of it. However,
1 guess he will get over it after a while"
A Maine officer who had been absent
from his command beyond the period of
his furlough was arbitrarily suspended
without being permitted to make any ex.
PLANTATION. All attempts to secure rein
statement through the ordinary channels
| failed. Finally he went to the President.
Mr.. Lincoln listened carefully to his state.
ment, took the papers and asked him to
| call another day. When the man came
back the President handed him his papers
| Endorsed as follows:
"Grant this request. The President is
never too busy to listen to the complaint
| OF soldier. A. LINCOLN"
There was an episode in the history of
Senator Fessenden and Secretary Stanton
/ which gives considerable insight into the
| characters Of both men. At the time of the
| impeachment of President Andrew John
son, Senator Eessenden pursued q course
which was distasteful to Senator Stanton.
They met constantly during the trial, and
| up to the time OF its conclusion, and then
without word Of warning Mr.. Stanton
cut MIR. Fessenden as they passed each
other in the street, and from that time to
| the day of Senator Fessenden's death they
never spoke TO each other. Senator Fessen.
| den was a man with the courage of his con-
victions, whom nothing on earth could
swerve from his duty as he saw it and
determined 1t. He was extremely sensitive
| over Stanton's action, but he was as proud
ss he was sensitive and never spoke OF it.
When he was lying at deaths door, and ii
was known that his hours on earth were
numbered, kilograms came pouring in from
eminent men from all over the country.
| Their contents were communicated from
time to time to Senator Fessenden. He was
indifferent to them all, and sfter having
listened to q new batch would querulously
| demand II there was no word from Stan.
ton. One Of his friends undertook, through
telegraphic Communication. to induce Mr..
Stanton to send some word to the afflicted
family that might relieve the dying mans
anxiety. The effort was duly made but
was Intellectual,