The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-08-11
SECRETARY STANTON.

STsShCI m SNhNIVNs
The Life and Public Services of Ed
win NJ. Stanton" by George C. Cor
ham, again brings before the public the
character of Lincoln's great War
Secretary.
Among the incidents of his life is one
which exhibits the moral grandeur of
Lincoln's character more than any
event in mis- life. Stanton was a war
Democrat. and ridiculed Lincoln con-
stantly and openly. But when Lincoln
was informed that Stanton was the
best man to conduct the enormous
business Of the war Office. he promptly
appointed him to the Office. Harnden
in his Life of Lincoln, made known to
the world, that in 1857, Stanton, Hard
ing, and Lincoln were engaged on the
same side in an important litigation re-
garding reaper patent Stanton
treated Lincoln as II he was a country
shyster, and kept him in the back
ground during the trial. On reaching
home Lincoln said that he had been
'roughed" by Stanton, and crowded
out Of his place. He also heard of the
mean things Stanton said about him.
Harding the other counsel in the case,
was a noted patent lawyer of Philadel-
phia. and he had treated Lincoln with
consideration, and retained his friend
ship. Some years after the war, Hard
ing gave an account of Stanton's ap-
pointment to Charming Richards, the
United States District Attorney and
a class mate of the writer, who re-
peated it TO him, and it now appears
in this book.
Lincoln called Harding to Washing
ton, and said to him that he wished
to show that he had no partisan aims,
and desired to have Stanton in his
Cabinet as he was honest. able, intelli-
gent, and could manage the vast bust
ness OF the department. He was we'll
aware Of the fact that Stanton was
constantly abusing him, but he asked
Harding to be his messenger to Stan
ton offering him the Office. When
Stanton received the message, he was
incredulous, almost stunned. After
hong pause he said to Harding: do
you tell me, Harding; that Mr.. Lincoln
sent this message to me-" Harding
replied that he had. Then Stanton,
with streaming eyes replied: Tell him
that such magnanimity will make me
work with him as man was never
served"
And so he did. Those Of us who had
dealings with him, hated him then, and
now, for his arrogance, his unjust
impetuosity, his apparent heartless-
ness. But we failed to see that he had
to deal with an army of million Of
men, the officers of which We're ignor-
petent. while lat the other end of the
Avenue" the capitol. the politicians
trying to run his department. His
loyalty to Lincoln never weakened.
In this incident Lincoln exceeded
the magnanimity of Washington.
Another instance Of Lincolns mag
appears in his treatment of
of the Treasury Chase, who
was afterwards appointed Chief Justice
by Mr.. Lincoln. Mr.. Chase had re-
solved to be made President. He was
in every direction dur
ing 1868 and 1864. A number of prom
inent Republicans Joined him. Sum-
ner, Greeley, Wade Henry Winter
Davis, Fremont and Wilson were
among them. When Chase, caught in
the act of nominating himself for the
Presidency, confessed 1t to Lincoln and
offered to resign his office, Lincoln re-
Piled: Whether you shall remain at
he head OF the Treasury Department
Or not. will not allow myself to con-
slider from any standpoint other than
my judgment OF the public service, and
do not perceive occasion for a
'hange,"
II Is the men OF this stamp in the
race, and they may be
counted by the thousands. who make |
he Flag an honor and glory OF the
,ation, and do not look to the Flag for
instruction or inspiration In searching |
or the higher road 20 the best duty |
lincoln carried the Sermon on the
Mount In his pocket, and forgot the
Flag,