The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-12
The. FAITH OF LINCOLN.
He Believed the Suppression of the
Rebellion Mas Decreed
by Heaven.
By Force Of His Own Conviction
He Induced Fessenden
to Accept.
His Judgment Of Men Had Never Failed
Him-Mistakes We're Caused
by Yielding.

On the day following the resignation Of
MIR. Chase, the president sent the nomina-
ton of Ex-Gov. Tod, of Ohio, as secretary
OF the treasury of the senate for confrma-
tion. There is no occasion now to INQUIRE
after his motives. Undoubtedly his first
thought was of an Ohio man, his opinion
being settled that it was better not to select
a secretary from any of the Atlantic states,
The nomination was not we'll received, and
it was a relief to his friends when, DURING
the evening, Mr.. Tod, by telegraph, per-
emptorily declined it.
Before sunrise the next day I was again
sent for. l rode to the white house in the
dawning light of All early summer morn
ing and found the president in his waist
coat, trousers and slippers. He had evil
IDENTIFY just left his bed, and had not taken
time to dress himself. As I entered the
familiar room he said in a cheerful. salts.
fed voice:
u have sent for you to let you know that
we have got q secretary of the treasury. If
your sleep has been disturbed YOU have
time for a morning nap. You will like to
meet him when the department. opens"
II am indeed glad to hear it," | said.
"But who is HEP"
"oh, you will like the appointment, SO
Will the country, so will everybody. Il ia
the best appointment possible. Strange
that should have had any doubt about Il.
What have You to say to MI. Fe~ssenden?u,
d would be an eminently proper an
pointment." answered. ''Ihe chairman
of the senate committee on finance:
perfectly familiar with all our fnan,
cial legislation; n strong, able man,
n a true friend Of the union. Ha
is also next in the direct line Of
promotion. But he will not accept. His
health is frail, and his psesent position
suits him. There is not one chance in a
thousand Of his acceptance"
He will accept; have no felr on that &C.
count. l have just notified him CT his an
pointment, and l expect him every mo-
ment."
Al this moment the door suddenly
opened, and Mr.. Fessenden almost burst
into the Room, without being %noun
His thin face was colorless; there was in.
tense excitement in his voice and move |
ments.
II cannot! I will not! Ishould be a dead |
man IN a week. | am a sick man now. l
cennot accept this appointment for which / |
have no qualifications. You, Mr.. Presi-
ident. ought not to ask me to do it. PRAY
relieve me by saying that you will with
draw IT, l repeat, cannot and l will not
Inc presl0ent rose from hia his chair an
proached Mr.. F~essenden. and threw
his arm aroun his neck. II nav
seem ludicrous. but as saw that
long and apparently unstiffened limb
windinR like a cable about the small neck |
OF the senator from Maine, l wondered how
times tho arm would encircle II, His
voice was serious and emphatic, but with
ous any assumption OF authority, a. he
said:
"Fessendsn, since / nave occupied this
place, every appointment / have made upon
ny own judgment has proved 10 be Q GOOD |
~. 100 net sey the best that could have