The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-11

Mr.. Seward or Mr.. Chase would obtain su-
premaoy. Within q MONTH after the
cabinet was organized it was discov-
cred who was the master. 1t was
was OF commanding ability, and yet within
six weeks they found that Mr.. Lincoln
would acknowledge no member of the cabi-
net as anything else than his constitutional
adv Mr.. Seward was daring enough
to make the experiment of suggesting to MIR.
Lincoln his policy while promising himself
to see that 1t was executed, and in a mo-
ment. witt great courtesy, but greater firm
ness, Mr.. Lincoln revealed in the presence
of the cabinet his purpose to mako himself
his policy and himself to execute it. and
from that day his cabinet was his servant.
Lincoln handled his cabinet with %extraor-
binary tact. 1t became necessary to make a
change in the war department.. and Cam
eron instead of being sent into retit ement
| was permitted to go to Russia as the repre-
sentative of the American governments; and
then followed Il revelation of Mr.. Lincoln's
supreme capacity in handling men.
Some three years before Lincoln was
nominated for the presidency he was re-
tanned az original counsel in an important
/ patent suit. 1t was a case involving a
great deRl of money. Mr.. Lincoln's pro-
fessional pride was aroused, II moreover
he had the promise i'll case of success of a
! larger fee than he had ever earned. The
trial was to occur before the United States
court sitting at Cincinnati. and 1T was
| deemed advisable to call into the case two
or three other eminent counsel. One OF
these was a lawyer who had won great re-
pute, especially i'll patent cases-Edwin nj.
Stanton.
Mr.. Stanton and some Of his associates
met in n hotel in Cincinnati and there for
the first time saw Mr.. Lincoln. With char,
aeteristic disregard of some conventionali-
ties, MIR. Lincoln had appeared i'll the hotel
wearing a linen duster. the day was very
warm. and he had perspired 80 freely that
the marks of his suspenaers were plainly
revealed upon the back of the ulster.
He WAS in a room opening into that in
which MIR. Stanton and the other counsel
J were sitting, although they did not know
| it. He heard them discussing who should
make the oral arguments to the court, fol
not all of the lawyers were to be permitted tC
do that. Lincoln was very anxious to make
one OF the arguments himself, for he had
spent great pains in preparing it. he
heard MIR. Stanton say some things thai
cut him to the quick. for stanton spoke III
terms of reproach of shis nnoouth prairie
lawyer, who was wearing Il sweaty coat
about the hotel, and intimating that h,
presumed his argument would be as musty
as the coat was.
MIR. Lincoln swallowed his pride, volun-
tarily offered to submit his arguments as 9
brief. aud keenly feeling the contempt o,
| Sttitbu, lt6NbItloltSs hShcb NIL htuhtoh ~
make one of tina arguments. Four wears
later President Lincoln sent for Edwin III
Stanton and said to him, "Mr. stanton,
Gen. Cameron 10 10 retire from the war de
pattment and has accepted the russian
mission. | have sent to you to ask you tc
accept the place thus made vacant" Some
men who have been presidents would mo-
have been great enough to overlook til,
slight which Mr.. stanton bestowed upoI
MIR. Lincoln i'll that Cincinnati hotel, bu'
MIR, Lincoln, with his uuerrinv Judgment oI
men. knew that Stanton had such qualit,
ns would mako him able to direct the enor'
nous responsibility of tho war department
during the emergencies of tho OWL war
With no Other member Of his cabinet
wns Mr.. Lincoln 80 intimate IA he was witt
Mr.. Stanton, and upon no man did Mr.
Stanton ever bestow such Il measure of at
lection as he gave to Lincoln,
Lincoln's treatment of Secretary Chase
WAS equally %taotfui. lilo recognized fully
MIR. Cuase's extraordinary ability III hand