Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-01

himself thoroughly informed, however. upon
all matters pertaining to the general inter
est. and discussed political men and meas
ures with his friends in the liveliest man
ner.
Approved the Emancipation ProcIa-
nation.
Judge Holt was one of the southern Union
democrats who gave strong approval to the
emancipation proclamation OF 1862. and
on August e. 1863, addressed an opinion
TO Secretary Stanton In which he approved
the enlistment and subsequent emancipa-
tion of those negroes who, living I'm states
10 which the proclamation did not refer
were still in slavery.
Alexander II. Mcclure is authority for
the statement that at one time in 1864
Lincoln wished TO have Holt nominated for
Vice Pre- esident on the ticket with himself
as representative war democrat After
his preference was said to have turned TO
Andrew Johnson. Lincoln's nearest friend.
Leonard SWEET, went into the Baltimore
convention declaring for Holt.
The buchanan Crisis.
The crisis that changed Buchanan's whole
policy on the question of secession was
initiated December L., lS6O, when Cass re-
tired as Secretary of State. Soon after
ward Holt succeeded Floyd as Secretary Of
War. Dixon and Holt were aggressively
against every form of treasonable rebellion,
and they gave a visibly altered tone 10
everything about the administration in the
preliminary disputes with the leading seces-
sionists. When the South Carolina COM
missioners came TO Washington TO treat for
peaceful separation President Buchanan
prepared an answer TO them, in which he
assumed that he had no power 10 take any
action President: that the whole dispute
was one to be submitted to Congress, and
that he would not reinforce the forts in
Charleston harbor.
This answer was submitted TO the cabinet
December 20. The next day Secretary of
State Black told the President that il this
answer were sent he should resign from the
cabinet. President Buchanan thereupon
handed him back the paper 10 be modified.
The modified answer was carefully consid-
cred by Black and Holt. who then were, and
thereafter continued to be. with Dix, the ag-
g-essively loyal members of the Buchanan
cabinet.
In a reminiscence OF Lincoln. Titan J.
Coffey says that when Attorney General
Bates resigned late in 1854 Mr. Lincoln sent
for him and said: My cabinet has shrunk
up north, and must find a southern man.
1 have invited Judge Holt TO become Attcr-
ney General, but he seems unwilling to un-
dertake the Supreme Court work. / want
you TO see him, remove his objections, II YOU
can and bring me his answer"
Coney brought back Judge Hollis declina-
tion of the proffered cabinet Office, where
upon Lincoln offered II to James Speed.
He Was Twice Married.
Judge Holt was twice married. his las,
wife being Margaret wickliffe. daughter Of
Governor Wickliffe Of Kentucky. She died
many years ago. and the only near relative
the dead man left was his nephew, Mr.,
William G. Sterrett, now residing in Wash
ington, and another nephew, who lives on
the old Holt home place, in Breckinridge
county, KY, where the remains Of Judge
Holt will be taken for burial.
Nothing Is known of the condition in
which Judge Holt left his worldly affairs.
While he was probably well of at the time
of his death. he had given away large
amounts OF property during his lifetime,
for beneath what was regarded by many
heart of philanthropist who was ever do
ing good. 1t was one of the peculiarities of
Judge Hollis nature that while he was
rigid in the belief that reasoning beings
should be held to a strict accountability for
their actions, he could not bear the idea of
seeing bird or an animal injured. On the
old place in Kentucky he would never al
low a Qt all or any other bird or harmless
animal to be killed, and his intimate friends
have heard him express wonder many
times at the prediction of men for the
sport that is afforded in the hunting field.
He could never understand how a man
could shoot birds. Judge Holt left but one
request For many years he kept in his
possession an old battle flag. and some
time ago he expressed to one OF his trusted
servants a desire that the emblem should
be wrapped around him when he died and
buried with him. This request will. Of
course, be complied with. The arrange
ments for the funeral services in this city.
in case it is decided to hold any here, have
not yet been made. The body will be in
TERED in Kentucky on the old Holt place.
A Singular Coincidence.
1t is mentioned at the War Department
as a startling coincidence that all persons
with the trial of Mrs. Surratt
died from other than natural Causes. Gen.
Holt, the last OF the historic coJerie. met
with the accident mentioned above, that
hastenei his death. Other
wise he might have lived for some time
yet, despite his advanced age.
Omcial Announcement.
The adjutant general issued a general Or
der this afternoon announcing Gen. Holt's
death to the army, and paying a high tr:b-
ute to his memory a man and as q sol
der. The funeral OF Gen. Holt will take
place from his home in Kentucky, and 81
the request of his family will be devoid of
military ceremonies.