New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MR. MccULLoCH,s "REMINISCENCES.

secectary Of the Treasury in the Administrations OF
Presidents Lincoln Johnson and Arthur Royal
svo ID XIV sac. Charles Scribner's Sons.
The author of this interesting book has had
long and distinguished career. While never
politician, he has taken a large and honorable
part in public affairs Called by Secretary Chase
20 the important post Of Controller of the Cur
rency. when the National banking system was to
DE organized he acquitted himself with such con-
spicuous ability that Mr.. Lincoln, upon his sec
ond inauguration made him Secretary of the
Treasury He continued in this post for the en-
tire Presidential term, which was filled out by
President johnson after Lincoln's death, and he
was called back TO it by President Arthur in the
closing days of his Administration. Originally
a lawyer by profession he became. as ii by accl-
dent, bank official. and found himself so apt
in that occupation that he has devoted himself
20 finance either as banker or Government officer.
from that day. This has brought him into con-
tact especially during his official life, with great
numbers of leading men. 1t has evidently
been his habit to study men we'll books.
and so this work contains large array OF enter
tanning and useful recoections, the charm Of
which is only increased by certain simplicity
Of manner in the telling of them, not common in
sophisticated age.
The book may be roughly divided into three
periods-that preceding his entrance into official
life under Mr. Chase. that of the war, during which
he continued to be connected with the Treasury
Department, and that of the Johnson Administra-
ton, of which he was loyal member standing
by his chief until the end. Much Of the interest
of the book is in Mr. McCulloch's account Of Mr.
johnson, and his efforts to rescue the memory Of
the tailor President from the obloquy into which
1t has fallen.
Mr. McCulloch set out from Boston ffty-hve
years ago in search of fortune He decided TO
settle in Indiana and AS he made his way from
the southern to the northern part OF the State
on horseback, in quest Of home, he paused in
South Bend Forty years afterward he heard
Charles Croker tell how he Set out in $40 from
that village for California: His entire fortune
then consisted Of his horse and wagon, couple
of beds, some cooking utensils, and few dollars
in money. Samuel c. Sample, Circuit Judge,
was then living in South Bend. His salary was
but a thousand dollars year, but he was economi-
cal. Industrious and tasteful and had been able
TO build cottage, and to beautify its surround
ings with shrubs and rapidly growing trees. Mr.
Croker was friend Of Judge Sample, with
whom, as he informed me, he spent an hour OF
the evening before he commenced his long and
westerly journey. As l left the cottage he said.
4 could not help feeling envious OF my friend, and
] said to him, that if l as well fixed as he
was, should be content On my way over the
plains he continued, Il never stopped at night
dust-covered and weary, after hard days travel
without having vision Of that beautiful little
cottage before me, and comparing my doieful con-
dition with that of my friend Sample" He
little dreamed that at the end of that long jour
ncy there lay fortune for him of more than
twenty millions Mr.. McCulloch settled at Fort
Wayne, put out his shingle, and made a prompt
success as a lawyer. Two years afterward he
was appointed cashier and manager OF the Fort
Wayne branch of the State Bank OF Indiana
He accepted the position without any intention
of keeping it, or of giving UP his profession but
to this he never returned Henry Ward BeecheT
was one of Mr. McCullochs intimate friends, after
the atters election to the presidency of the Bank
of the State of Indiana brought him to Indian
apohs. Later events make his tribute to MIR.
Beecher's personal character Of interest and I'm
portance. i: was evidently written in view OF
them. ITO me-" says the writer. he was an
open book. II there bad been anything wrong
about him, should have discovered it He was
incapable of disguise and never heard senti-
ment from him that the strictest morahst could
object tor
Mr. McCulloch had been several years settled
IN Indiana when the first Harrison campaign for
the Presidency fought One Of Tom Cor
wins famous speeches was made in defence Of
General Harrison's record in the House Of Rep
resentatives, for there was stumpspeakng in Con-
gress then there is now. General Crazy, OF
Michigan had bitterly criticised Harrisons general
ship in the battle OF Tippecanoe. General Crazy
was a military general a peace establishment
Mr. Corwin described "a Michigan militia parade
with General Crazy as the commanding figure; the
troops in motion with hoes, axe, handles and other
deadly implements of war otershadowlng the
field; the General, with his gaudy epa1lets geam-
ing in the sun, mounted upon cropeared, bushy-
All hon hiobp Oalla lv
in front, displaying the beauty of his steed and
his superior Workmanship; and when the parade
was over, satisfying the thirst which bis glOri-
Gus labor had created with watermelons which
be slashed with his mighty sword and shared
with his heroic men. l recollect speech so
provocative Of hearty laughter as this speech OF
AIR. Corwin. His exaggerated but somewhat
truthful description Of militia parade general
training it was called in the early days of the
West, in the conduct of which General Crary
was supposed to have acquired the knowledge
that fitted him to criticise General Harrlson's
military character, absolutely funny that
the House convulsed with merriment and
Democrats as well as Wings shouted as he went
on until they were hoarse. To such a speech
there could be no answer. General Crazy sub
sided. He was heard again in the House
or in public in Michigan Slain by Corwin'
was the return of the inquest over his political
remains"
Southern sentiment was strong in Southern
Indiana as the war approached Mr.. McCulloch |
says he was astounded by the speeches of some of
the most prominent members of the Legislature |
of 1860 and 1861, against what they called the |
coercion of Souther States. One enthusiastic |
speaker to whom / listened. and who did give |
service to the Government o colonel of an |
Indiana regiment. declared that armed coercion |
lists would have to pass over his body before |
they crossed the Ohio River" LII 1862 Mr. J
McCulloch went to Washington to oppose the
passage of the bill to establish National banking
system which, if it passed, might be greatly |