The National tribune., 1904-09-22

the case to the President and invite his
consideration TO its prominent points. On
reaching the Executive Mansion l found
the President in the receptiOn-rOom, sur
rounded by large number Of persons. He
Immediately recognized me, stepped for
ward and conducted me into the most re-
tired corner of the room. After / had
stated the object OF my visit, he said ::
Stanton is careful and may be right. /
was very busy when | examined the case,
but l will take the papers, reexamine, and
by O'Clock this afternoon send them by
messenger to your Office. Before the hour
indicated, the papers were in my hands.
The President had revoked his order and
affirmed the decision of the Secretary
The case is illustrative OF the official rela-
tiOns between the two great men.
1t will be pertinent here to recall the
episode connected with the Sherman-John-
stOn convention, of April Is, 1865.
Prior to that convention, or agreement,
President Lincoln said-Aprl 3-t0 Gen.
Grant that he did not wish any conference
with Gen. Lee unless it should be for 1.-The
capitnlation of Lees army, or on solely
minor or purely military matters" and
that he was not to decide, discuss or
confer on any political question:" as such
| questions were held in the Presidents s
own hands.
Upon the receipt April 2D by Grant
OF the convention, and prior to his submit
ting it to President Johnson with sug-
gestion that it should be considered by
the entire Cabinet. he felt satisfied that
the President would not approve, and
when he (April 2I disapproved, the rea-
sons were given by Stanton, as the repre-
sentative of the Executive, in the telegram
to Gen. Dix.
After the disapproval became known to
Sherman, he. in writing to Stanton, on
April 20, said: II admit my folly in en-
bracing in military convention any civic
We all know that Sherman was embit-
tered as to Stanton. and that many of his
friends were equally so; but among his
very best friends were found men of the
highest eminence who, through emphatic
letters to Stanton. condemned the cOnven-
ton, and supported the announcement to
egram.
NO SUICIDE.
The allegation that Stanton's death was
the result of a self-inficted wound is re-
futed abundantly by the letter from Sur
geOn-General Barnes, dated April 1G,
1879, to the editor of the Philadelphia
Press; but / may here state that after
Stanton's death l often saw his body. and
frequently was very near il, and / re-
mained at the house for the main portion
of the night preceding the interment of the
remains: consequently | was in a position
TO have, noticed selfindcted injury had
there been any.
To a private soldier I have known him
to give audience when his leisure was so
pressed as to cause an interview with Off
GERS of high rank to be refused. and yet
the warmth of his heart, as attested by
the War Department records. was found
going ont at all times. through measure
calculated to enhance the comfort and pro
tect the interests of the members--ofIicers
and men-of the armies of the Union.
His devotion 10 the public welfare was
such as TO find him ut his desk. not only
during the day. but at night. until near the
dawn-nOt satisfied 10 go TO his home for
needed rest until the most that could he
had been accomplished. And when really
| i'll. during many nights of prolonged Ia
Dor. devoted and entreating wife. who
| had come in the hours of morning TO ac-
company him from his office. often failed
| to break the vigil devoted to the public in
terest
| OFTEN, AT MIDNIGHT,
/ have found myself with important pa.
pers before him for consideration, the la
bors OF the day having SO pressed him as
to prevent his necessary action during the
usual hours of duty; and on more than one
occasion did he fall asleep before | had
| finished. so great was his fatigue.
The great strain eventually did its work.
and at times he had, from illness, to re-
| main at his house. On one Of these occa-
sions his Old-time friend, Gov. Brough.
OF Ohio, telegraphed to me to know Mr..
Stanton's condition. l went to his house.
and, after reading the telegram, he said he
would answer il himself, and attempted to
do so; but his great strength had 90 far