The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-02-19

Mr.. Stanton. His official character and record
challenge scrutiny, aud in greatness Of decd,
genuincness Of purpose, unselfshness Of conduct
and effectiveness of action, his official career
viii compare fayOTably with that Of the very
best and purest patriot who ever laid down his
life for his country. He was intensely loyal 10
the UniOn,-In fact psssOnately devoted 30 IL,
and spared neither himself nor others in the
work Of preserving it.
He wore out body and mind in the work,
and as much and as freely gave his life 90 his
country as any man who perished on the field
of battle. Indeed, he
DIED THE HARDEST DEATH
Of any in that he was bounded 20 IL by the
malignant ISLANDERS OF many men who should
have been his supporters. I'm proportion 10 his
success which isolated him more aud more
every day from anything like intimate per-
sonal association with those who bad been his
companions in times past, was the bitterness of
his enemies, who hated him for fancied wrongs
or II may be errors Of Judgment. and who as
sailed his reputation without much regard 10
truth or any of the restraints which loyalty 10
the country and interest in the success Of the
war should have imposed. Those who would
gladly have defended him were not sufficiently
in his confidence To do so iHteligently. Mr.
Stanton had no time 20 spare from the tre-
mendOus pressure on him night and day TO in-
dulge in the personal associations and conf
dences necessary 20 the acquisition Of such
friends, and be bore bis burden alone and with
out even the knowledge OF the sympathy felt
for him by thousands Of his cOuntrymen. Ex-
cept for minor errors OF Judgment and faults Of
manner, from which the fewest OF mankind
are Free Mr. Stsnton's official character and
his ability and devoted patriotism have had
few parallels in the history Of mankind, and
history more and more as time goes on VIII
sanctiy him in the hearts of our posterity.
During the war be may be said 90 have had
no private life or friendly association outside
Of the business Of his Office, Of which his mind
was always full. Ii would puzzle anyone who
did not know him before the days Of the war TO
say anything uudcrstandingly Of Mr.. Stanton's
personal character or social habits.
HE HAD Absolutely NO PERSONAL AssocIA-
TIoNs
and attended 10 no social duties during all
those days Of the war. be appeared 10 have
little inclination and no time for exhibitions
OF personal friendship, and has no doubt. Justly
been charged with neglect Of those TO whom he
bad once proiessed friendship and injustice 10
their rights and their interests.
Indeed, IL is much 20 he feared that in his
relations with individuals who, from their de-
votiOn 10 him and their supreme confidence in
him. were entitled TO the utmost fidelity on his
part, there was vein Of duplicity in his con-
duct hard 10 reconcile with his official genuine
ness.
But whatever may have been the facts in
such personal matters as these, Mr.. Stanton
will always be judged in the light Of his public
services, and viii always occupy a foremost
place in the affection aud gratitude of his
When one contemplates at this
day has splendid services, his uuselfish patriot
ism, his snEleness OF devotion 10 his country,
mis- sad and troubled life, and his utter ship.
wreck az the last, in body and mind, and con-
trasts his shruHken face aud bowed aud broken
figure as be sat awaiting death almost alone in
has daIkened home, with the SNUG countenance
and c0nceitcd air Of the small specimen Of
humanity who was his bittcrest enemy but
who never had an idea which reached beyond
himself nor an emotion which concerned any
thing outside Of his own cuticle, smiling aud
and followed about by crowd Of
admirers. otherwise intelligent, but AS blind 10
the weakness and bitterness Of their idol as
the African TO his fetish, and thinks Of the
good natured acquiescepce OF thousands of good
people in what he claims 20 have been his
great services 10 the country, but who deny to
Dr. stanton a solitary word Of commendation
or even recognition; j say as one considers
these things he cannot but echo the sentiment
OF the historian who summed up as the result
Of his great history that in considering the
record IL set forth the philosopher according
10 his nature must laugh or weep at the folly Of
mankind"
IT. }.