The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-16

h"N' 1900
rebellion. by denouncing uncondltiona Union
lists as abolitionists. Nevertheless. Mr.. STAN
ton did not 10 over TO the Republicans In 1881,
neither would he profess to agree with them
In their treatment OF the slavery question. He
entered the Cabinet OF Mr.. Buchanan q Demo
crat in December. 1850. and left II a Democrat
in March. 1851. II has been said that he was a
"pro-slaveFy Democrat" This In true to the
extent that he believed In obeying the Consti-
tuition and the laws, and he had the lawyers
habit OF acduiescing In the opinions OF the bu-
promo Court OF the United States upon all
questions brought before that tribunal.
Letters OF Mr.. Stanton. written during the
carly months Of Mr.. Linooln's Presidency. dis
close the distrust and dislike with which the
new Government was regarded by him. 1t is
admitted by his biographer that they show.
also. o good deal OF party s~pirit-much more
than would be looked for by those who only
know Of Stanton's great services to the coun-
try afterward as Mr.. Lincoln's Secretary OF
War. The federation OF Republicans by Union
Democrats was a plant OF slow growth. and
Mr.. Stanton was no exception among his fell
lows. The federation OF Union Democrats by
Republicans was equally slow in its develop
ment. and many OF the former were perma-
nently lostto the Union cause through the mere
fact OF finding themselves under suspicion. Not
tto bttb NttAo VI Y"
lcan leaders to Mr.. stanton's patriotic energy
and courage during the secession winter while
he was a member OF Mr.. Buchanan's Cabinet. 1t
does not appear that his aid or advice was sought
by the new Administratio at any time during
the year 1881. We have his own authority for the
statement that he never once met Mr.. Lincoln
during all the period intervening between
March 4. 1881. and Jan. Is. 1862. The truth is
that Stanton had no confidence in Mr.. Lincoln.
TIT early hating movements Of the latter's
Administrator caused many patriotic men
who. like Stanton. were not welded to 1t by
party ties. to withhold from it their trust and
to criticise 1t In terms which now seem harsh
and unreasonable. On the day Of the bonn
bardment OF Fort Sumter, April IL. 1861. Mr..
Stanton wrote to Mr.. Buchanan as follows: I'VE
have the war upon us. The impression here
Is held By many, first. that the efforts to REIN
force will be q failure: secondly. that In less
than twenty -four hours from this time An
derson will have surrendered: thirdly. that. in
less than thirty days. Davis will be In possess
sion OF Washington" It Is not denied by Mr..
Gorham that Stanton's forebodings Of disaster
seemed warranted by the conditions then ex-
listing. To some shrewd onlookers. IL seemed
likely that the nation would be subjugated be-
fore Its rulers could realize that its unity was
In danger. Why the Federal capital was not
scizou az tlo ptklnnlnR Oh tne reDelllOn, dS MT.
Stanton predicted 1t would be. lie an unex-
planned mystery. Hemmed in between two
slave States. inhabited mainly by a slave-hold-
ing and secession-sympathizing population
and with no preparations for defense which
could. for o moment. be compared with the force
that could. any day. be thrown against II,
Washington seemed only awaiting the hour
when It's possession should seem desirable to
the enemy.
How dark the prospect looked to Stanton
when Mr.. Lincoln had been more than three
months In office is manifest from a letter which
he wrote on June IL. 1861. to Con. Dix: mo
one can imagine the deplorable condition of
this city tWashinGtonl and the hazard Of the
Government who did not witness the weakness
and panic OF the Administration and the pain
full imbecility Of Lincoln. We looked to New
York In that dark hour as our only deliverance
under Providence. and. thank God. it came.
The uprising of the people Of the United States
to maintain their Government and crush rebel
lion has been so grand. so mighty In every ele-
ment, that / feel it a blessing to be alive and
witness 1t. The action OF your city espe-
cially filed me with admiration. and proves
the right OF New York to be called the
Empire Oity. But the picture has a dark side
dark and terrible-from the corruption that
surrounds the War Department and seems to
poison with venomous breath the very atmos-
phere. Millions OF New York capital. the time.
strength. and. perhaps. lives OF thousands OF
patriotic citizens will be wasted to gorge u raw
enous crew. On every side the Government
and soldiers are pillaged. Arms. clothing.
transportation and provisions are. each and
all. subjects OF peculation and spoil. On one
side the waves Of treason and rebellion are
madly dashing: on the other is IA yawning
guilt OF national bankruptcy. Our cause Is the
greatest that any generation OF men were ever
called upon to uphold-it would seem to be
Gods cause. and must triumph. But when we
witness ~venality and corruption growing In
power every day and controlling the millions
Of money that should be deemed a patriotic
sacrifice for national deliverance. and treating
the treasure OF the nation as q booty to be
divided among thieves. hope dies away"
Immediately after the battle Of Bull Run Mr..
Stanton wrote to his brother-in-law as follows:
Affairs in Washington are. to some degree,
recovering from the horrible condition OK
hibited on Monday aud Tuesday. The enemy
advanced to Fairfax. and their pickets extend
some miles this side. but their movements are
as unpenetrable q mystery as before. Why
they did not take possession OF the city. as they
might have done without serious resistance on
Monday and Tuesday. IL a marvel. The 'Trib-
une' struck a mighty blow on Tuesday at the
cause OF this and all the other late disasters.
-" With all the calamity that Is upon us.
I still do not. by any means. despair Of the re-
public. The power Of endurance. I think. will
prove equal to the occasion, and. II our people
can bear with this Cabinet. they will be
able to support a great many calamities.
Give my compliments to Mr.. Greeley and Mr..
Dana" The mighty blow struck by the Tribune
to which Mr.. Stanton alluded was that journals
severe criticism OF Gen. Patterson's failure to
move to McDowell's support. or so to engage
Johnston as to prevent him from reinforcing
B~eauregard. In aletter to Mr.. Buchanan. dated
July 20. Stanton was still moro outspoken:
The dreadful disaster of Sunday can scarcely
be mentioned. The imbecility OF this Admins
tration eliminated In that catastrophe: an ir-
retrievable misfortune and national disgrace
never to be forgotten are to be added to the
ruin OF all peaceful pursuits and national
bankruptcy as the result Of Mr.. Lincoln's
running the machine for Ave months.
b" The capture OF Washington seems
now to be inevitable; during the whole
OF Monday and Tuesday 1t might have
been taken without any resistance. The
rout, overthrow and utter decentralization Of