The National tribune., 1892-12-01

soldiers, and was strainng every nerve to get
them. The prisoners were costing the country
considerable sum TO feed them, while enlisted
soldiers were costing much larger sums in
bounties. The Governor of Illinois conceived
the idea of enlisting these prisoners into the
u. S. Army to serve in the Indian country, a
service in which they were more than willing
to engage ut the usual pay of soldiers. For as
many of such men as were sent West to keep
the Indians in order an equal number of sea-
soned soldiers would come East to fight against
the rebellion. This the Illinosans conceived
would be good use of Confederate prisoners.
and sound policy anyway. Besides they had
an idea that the men thus enlisted might be
credited to the quota of their State which was
not yet full. Mr.. Lincoln was made acquainted
with the purpose; so was Secretary Stanton.
| The President thought well of it. The Score.
tary peremptorily and vigorously opposed it.
After considerable correspondence without
changing the situation a committee, one OF
whom was probably the Governor of the State
came to Washington to lay the matter before
the authorities he called first Stanton
and stated their case, as they had already done
in the correspondence. Stanton was more i'm
perons and resolute than ever. His language
to the committee was that he would see them
id before he would do it. With the door
of the War Department thus closed against
them the gentlemen proceeded to the Whlte
House, and laid the matter before Mr. Lincoln,
who gave his attention and favorable response
But" said he, "you had better go and see Sec
rotary Stanton" Said the committeeman: I'VE
have done so, and have his answer" What
did he say?" inquired Mr.. Lincoln. He said
he would see US id before he would do it,"
responded the spokesman of the Illnoisans.
did he say that?" inquired Mr.. Lincoln.
Eyes he said just that" was the answer. After
pause Mr.. Lincoln remarked WELL guess
lar for &c cir hhnrp ma "
There was long pause, which the President
broke by saying, " Let Us 90 over and see Stan
ton"
The committee, Mr.. Lincoln leading, in
silence entered the War Department, where
the Secretary was alone. Now, gentlemen"
began Mr.. Lincoln, q l want you to state to
Secretary Stanton your case precisely as
you have stated it to me-" The spokesman
did go with precision and elaboration. STAN
ton was quick aud resolute 20 say he would not
listen to it with any favor. The spokesman
and be argued the matter on its merits for
some time, when there was pause, during
which no one spoke Mr. Lincoln punched the
floor with his cane, as if revolving the case IN
bis mind. Finally, Strengthening himself up,
as it was his wont, he said: I" | think you will
have TO do it, Mr.. Secretary. think it good
proposition and sound policy. You will have
to do it, Mr.. Secretary"
Not another word was said, aud the gentle
men followed Mr.. Lincoln out of the door in
the order they had entered.
The prisoners were enlisted into the army TO
fight the Indians, and the soldiers already there
were brought East to fight the rebellion. But
the State Of Illinois was not credited with the
enlistments. An order Of the War Department
forbade all proceedings Of that kind.
Mr. Lincoln had the true idea of Grant He
early reached the conclusion regarding him
that he was ambitious only to do in the short
est time and the best way those things which
would tend TO put down the rebellion, trusting
to results for the fame which he no doubt COW
eted.
Grant says this in what he wrote after the
war. He resisted the idea when first it was put
to him of his going into the Presidency. 1t is
the testimony Of Sherman, Sheridan, and
Others, that they went to Grant and made it a
point with him that he should stand for the
Presidency, telling him that it was his duty to
do so; for what had been won had got to be
preserved, and there was no surety that saved
it would be as ii should. Now that the war was
over what would become Of the Union, they
maintained, was no less question than before
Lees surrender. 1t was question, also, what
would become of the Army? They argued
there might become reasons for strong hand