The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05
"REMINISCENCES
Of Men and Events
OF THE CIVIL WAR.
BY A. DANA,
Asslstont setrstsry Of war from 1899 to ices,
ghom Mcozure's Magazine Of Norember and
December.

Ehons McClure's Magazine Of Norenpber and
1ROM TEE Tribune TO TRB War
DBPABTMEwE
had been associated with Horace Greeley on
me New York Tribune for about fifteen years
when. one morning early in April, 1862. Mr..
4 Sinclair. the advertising manager Of the paper,
J came to me saying that Mr.. Greeley would be
! glad to have mo resign. I asked one Of my rs
oociates to ind from Mr.. Greeley IL It was really
his wish. In q few hours no came 10 me saying
that l had better 20. I stayed tho day out. In
order TO mako up tho paper and rive them an
opportunity to find . successor. but I never
went into the office after that. I think I owned
. fifth Of the papcr-twenty shares-at that
time; this stock my colleagues bought.
Mr.. Greeley never gave q reason for dismiss
inr me, nor did l over ask for one. I know,
though. that the real explanation was that while
no was for peace / was for war, and that % long
20 I stayed on tho Tribune thero was q spirit
shcre which was not his spirit-that no did not
like.
MY retirement from tho Tribune was talked
Of In tho newspapers for q day or two.s and
brought me q letter from tho Secretary of
NiWih VI otohtohs ~ III hO "Vu1u ilkO
TO employ me in the War Department. I had
already met Mr.. Lincoln, and had carried on .
brief correspondence with Mr.. stanton My
meeting with Mr.. Lincoln was shortly after his
Inauguration. He had appointed Mr.. Seward to
be his Secretary Of State, and some Of the Re-
publican leaders Of New York who had been in
gtrumental In preventing Mr.. Stewards nominal
tion to the Presidency and In securing that Of
Mr.. Lincoln, had begun to fear that they would
DO left out in the cold in the distribu-
zion of the offices. Gen. James 8. Wads-
worth, George Opdyke. Lucius Robinson,
T. b. Carroll, and Henry b. Stanton
were among the number of these gentlemen.
Their apprehensions were somewhat miti-
gated by the fact that Mr.. Chase. to whom we
were all friendly, was Secretary of the Treasury.
But, notwithstanding. they were afraid that tho
superior tact and pertinacity Of Mr.. Seward and
of Mr.. Thurlow Weed, Stewards close friend
and tho political manager of the Republican
party, would get the upper hand. and that the
power of the Federal Administration would be
put into the control of the rival faction; accord
ingly. several OF them determined to go to
Washington. and I was asked to go with them.
I believe the appointment for our interview
with tho President was made through Mr..
Chase; but, at any fate, we all went up to the
White House together. except Mr.. Henry B.
who stayed away because he was him.
self an applicant for office.
Mr.. Lincoln received us In the large room up
stairs in the cast wing Of the White House.
he had his working office, and stood I'D
while Gen. Wadswurth, who was our principal
spokesman, and Mr.. Opdyke stated what was de.
sired. After tho interview was begun q big
who was q messenger In attendance
In the White House. came into the room and
said to the President:
"She wants you"
"Yes. yes" said Mr.. Lincoln. without stirring.
Soon afterward the messenger returned again
II say she wants you'll"
The President was evidently annoyed. but in.
stead of going out after the messenger, he re-
marked to US:
"One side shall not gobble up everything.
Make out q list of places and men you want and
j will endeavor to apply the rule Of give and
take"
Gen. Wadsworth answered.:
Our party will not be able to remain In waab-
ington. but We will leave such q list with Mr..
Carroll, and whatever he agrees to will be agree
able to u.s."
Mr.. Lincoln continued: lie Mr.. Carroll
come in tomorrow. and we will see what can be
DONE
This 10 the substance of the interview, and
what most impressed me was the evident fair.
ness OF the President. We all felt that he
meant 10 do what was right and square in tho
matter. While he was not the man to promote
factious ouarrels and difficulties v;thi, "a.
party, no did not intend to leave In the lprcb
the special friends through whose eyertiono HI.
nomination and election had an,nv 49,
brought about. At the same time he understood
uerfectlv FRAT uo ~ NJ VI -
$500 ~ 49, p.nuha A"u u "sso-
Skso' '"o A'epu'iAo"h oouS nau not gone TO
= puipo'o VI Illuminating MIN or
- hoa,ina.ihk any ono IN particuiar. out only to
peat Hr oeWaro' anu tnereupon 10 do the best
the candidate.
FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH STANTON.