The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-02-12


spoctaclcs, seemingly Of unusual size. His
rather squat figure, sumounted 10y the leo
nine bust and head above it, gave him
AsHhGGY, BELLIGERENT SORT OF LOOK,
which, to say the least, was not encouraging
10 the man in search Of iavors. His speech
was quick and apparently positive. From
the ablupt and speedy departure of one
after another of his visitors, ] presume il
was conclusive also. His face and head
were full of intellectual promise, which
history fully confirmed. discovered after
wards that this curt manner and quick
disposal Of business was equally bestowed
on All comers, regardless Of rank, station, or
"preyious or present condition" Of those
concerned, aud that, in his Office, the same
sort Of sauce was served to both goose and
Eander No man can compute what was
ihe value TO the Government Of this terse,
not TO say abrupt treatment OF men and
business by the Secretary of War in the
times when Mr.. Stanton held that Office.
No politician nor snave man Of any desCrip-
tion couid have disposed Of such a mass Of
ANAiFlliN-H filA nAAA ~ AANHh VI l'NIfAN o.
pressed oB the Secretary Of War from morn
ing until night, and until far into the early
hours OF The next day, for months together
Ii was n0 doubt unpalaiable TO the great
men, or rather those who thought them
selves great, TO meet with only such scant
ceremony in the War Department as was
meted ont to the humhlest soldier, but
there was not one Of them possessing even
ordinary common sense who did not after
wards il be did not then recognize the
immense value, in such position, Of a man
positive and prompt, even IT, at times, he
might be- actually discourteous The room
In which he generally Y received people on
business, for an hour or more every morn
ing was open all the time, so that any one
could enter who chose, and hear also, if be
chose,
ANY OTHER MAN's BUSINESS, TOO.
This publicity Of itself shortened conversations
and abbreviated interviews wonderfully. The
only Iutu.,Hre in the room vas a high. slightly
inclined table. behind which the Secretary
Stood wiki piece OF paper before him aud q
pencil IN his hand Around the room stood
his visitors, who stepped mp one by one 20 this
high table stated bis business as briefly rs pos
Eible and in the hearing Of everybody, aud
received prompt and final answer rapidly
as words could convey il. When matters
Quiriug secrecy were 10 be cOnsidered-aud
these Were ouly matters OF public concern-the
person conveying them stood 10 one side until
the crowd was dismissed when he was con-
Quoted iDro tine Secretary own office, for such
dispOs itou Ol the 81 iect as night be necessary.
OF cOurse. such methods were not entirely
agreeable 90 self-seellers or those in search Of
fRvors for others. Neither did they suit army
contractors or men in search Of Office or Of
profit Acither did they suit officers o. the
army who sought details Tor easy or pleasant
service or who came 10 complain of theirsupe-
riou ia rank who did not estimate them as
highly rs they valued themselves. The neces-
atty Of taking whole room full Of strangers
into their confidence much abbreviated all such
communications aud whilst the Secretarys
popularity among these people and their tol-
lowers Was not successfully established by such
methods there j. no doubt that the public in
terests were greatly subseFYed. When ] first
saw Mr. stanton be was In the prime and vigor
OF his life Ills ruddy complexion stout figure
ana The general impression Of vigorous VI
tality; Aa nervous action and manifest en-
ergy aHd ioIce gave oYery assurance that he
was possessed Of almost unlimited capacity
both in
INTEILECTUAL AND PHYSICAL WORK.
A few year. u not q few months, greatly modi.
hcd tbis condition. TO q great degree Mr.
Stanton lr-l Dds beaith Ia the Grsl years or tic
wal and one o. the officers on duty nearest 10
him ~ rilst time, told me that he had seen him
stand ioF hours attending 70 business in his
Office wbeH be was suffering fho tortures OF the
CANNED. lie was afflicted with disease not
Immediately y dangerous 10 life, but full Of pain
which saprcd health aud strength day by day.
Ills constant anxiety aud increasing work were
direct aEErayatiou ol the disease. for which
there WIS no relief except in complete rest and
careful Diet. DO doubt much Of his increasing
iTritabil ty ~ manner and roughness Of sneech
were doe "a pin AID suffering Nothing but
death Or thc successful close Of the war could
have forced him 10 pause in his fury Of work
90 give amy thought 90 his 0&n troubles There
never lived tie man in this country more IN
tcnsely loyal 20 his Government nor who sacri-
Heed himself more completely 10 the work Of
proteci ug l against the effort 10 destroy IT,
saw Ar Stanton a good many times after
my hTst irirrvlcw with him. and came 70 know
bim very Hrll. ! saw him-iudeed ] spent part
81 the aay With him-on that dismal day OF the
execution 80 Mrs. Surratt aud the other con.
spirU0rs wHcH the War Department was kept
closed uii cay except 10 public officials Of high
grade J remember his profound conviction.
which hc openly cXpTcsyd, Of the necessiLv
o. executing these condemned criminals aud
how paiu.n'ly he realized that the Obligation
~ the putlc welfare and future quiet of tie
country should absolutely debar the Govern
mcnt FROM being either persuaded or tcrrorzed
into
uNwisE or MAUDLIN cLEMENcY.
No one who saw and talked with him that
day cou.l have failed 20 be impressed with his
manifest rrgrct that such a necessity existed
To say tiIai he took satisfaction ia the cxecu-
tion % lhcse criminal people, or that he was in
Hny respect cruel or reyengelnl in the matter.
Do mistaEc, III indeed il be not wicked.
1he tremendous panorama in which he
played 50 conspicuous part broke him down
al last aua ! shall not soon FORGET the painrnl
Impression which my last sight Of him has lcft
with me- IL was only short time before bis
death that being n Washington for a feWdays
called On him " bis house lie was IN ms rsss.
lnR-FuWH and slippers but siIl able To lIr about
The house during the day Bahop simpson ana
another friend were with him. lie rose fecl,ly
and evianaty with difficulty from his arm
chair 10 speak 10 me, but bis appearance paye
me eurl shock that ] was arIlyabIe 10 rruIv
% has greeting His mass Of hair and the great
beard, - "eil remembered OF all who know
HIM boo intncr and not remote days. was gfav
and uuarmpt bis cheeks had fallen iu and
the rHuH' complexion transformed into psIIor
almost .lNl1. The Irc of his eve was ouebcbsd
Hho lis iuut figure shFunken 10 a mere shYdosY
lbs clothes hung loosely upon him. and when
he spoke p WIS not in tie PROMPT and decisive
tone o. t1e past but in the guayering voice and
EtumbNng pronunciation OF an aged man Thus
hhd the ".f 81 ihc rebellion served this once
EiRorpEa and powerful man, aud thus also aid
1l serve thousands 0t bis c8Uutrtn,ep xv h., s,,r