The National tribune., 1903-06-18

had requested, the second demanding strict
enforcement. As he turned to me, he was
then the Secretary Of War imparting inn
plicit instructions and orders, almost il not
quite n repetition of the Gait House order
in 1863. Take this to the operating room
of the Western Union; listen, and be sure
it is promptly and correctly transmitted"
Both orders were promptly obeyed on the
instant of reception. The second order I
may sufficiently define. 1t contained an
order to the manager of the Western Un-
ion Telegraph Office to send trustworthy
operator to identify and deliver. This, I
think. was the second or third time that
Secretary Stanton had enforced his orders,
when was concerned. By 'hee.er." which
demanded responsibility of prompt deliv-
cry.
In the Winter of 1S64-'65 he came quite
unostentatiously to City Point Va. While
he was dining with Admiral Porter on
board the Malvern, anchored out in the
stream, 1 received from Washington an
important Government cipher. Instead OF
deputiZing an orderly with sealed package,
which l might readily have done, / took
the sealed package in my own hand, and
with the first tug that l encountered
| steamed up alongside the flagship NAL
vern, when l announced my name and my
business.
The co,ored servant quickly carried my
sealed package. but the seal had scarcely
been broken when the great statesman, in
full evening dress, left Admiral Porter's
banquet table to personally thank me, as
he explained it, for the great pains that
had taken to honor him.
On one other occasion, when my case
was not imperative, l seated myself in the
great southwest corner reception room.
| There didn't seem any inclination to socia-
bility. Each one, as 1 supposed, had that
little bundle Of grief to unload. l looked
| all ahOnf the In nd recorded
way it didn't seem to cut. had purpose
| ly wall-howered myself there, in the abb
sence of time-pressure, to observe the Sec
retary's manner. AS one after another
came to his standing desk his pale facs
seemed like adamant. Now and then hs
turned to Gen. Hardee, at his right, with
hurried short orders. Once he looked his
receptive welcome to me, but l declined,
waiting quite patiently until the heavily
draped little widow, who thought she was
tthe last, sought his influence for re-instate-
tment to a clerkship. 1t was then, as
l was enabled to discover his wonderful
lcOntrol of emotions. AS this interview was
tabout to end stepped forward, and with
out seeming to heed my presence, the little
lady's back had scarcely been turned, when
| the sphinX-like features which she had
encountered were beaming with smiles as
he related to Gen. Hardee in my presence
the circumstances of the lady's dismissal,
half mechanically picking up his pen while
chatting, and writing the order 1 desired
for papers then in Gen. Vincent's Office,
which, emphatical as usual, read:
Deliver to him the original papers. If
copies are needed, retain the copies for
record.''
One Of Mr.. Stanton's greatest character
istic features seemed to be his quick ccm-
prehension. When your case had been
stated to him, no puzzing questions fol-
lowed. In an imperfect sketch of this
character n great statesman's individuality
or remarkable qualities cannot hope for a
just tribute.
Secretary q. NJ. Stanton worshiped at
the patriotic shrine. and we'll may every
American strive to keep his memory green.