New-York tribune., 1906-04-15


The first two his political rivals. and all
three whose proved ability ard force
full personalities would only too quickly have
submerged a weaker executive. In their seIec-
ton Lincoln that he would not only secure
public confidence in his administration, which
would all too surely have been withheld had he
depended upon advisers Of smaller calibre. but
ne realized that in them he had gained for his
country and its the most effective in
struments in their several departments.
II is not to be wondered at that Seward
at first "mistook the Presidents lack of knoVI-
edge for incapacity. his indecision for incompe-
tence his modesty for weakness But it was
not long before he wrote to his wife, 'ExecI-
tive skill and viSOr are rare qualities. The Pres
ident is the best OF US" ''NO one. il is safe %
say" writes Mr.. Rothschild. appreciated the
Secretary at his true value so accurately as the
President. In his admiration for Mr.. Seward
he overlooked the mistakes. supplemented the
important labOrs. occasion. with necessary
touches of his shrewd common sense. and
kept the brilliant talents employed for the best
interests Of the country" Twice. at least hc
put aside the private temptation TO request the
Secretary's resignation. and when it was pub
Icly demanded by delegation Of prominent
New Workers he exclaimed in righteous anger.
You. gentlemen. to hang Mr.. Seward, would
destroy the government small wonder.''
comments the author, that the respect which
the Secretary had early learned TO show his
chief became mingled with a warmth Of per
sonal devotion that has not. in similar relations
Of our history. been surpassed"
Salmon p Chase was so aggressiveIy self
centred that he had many of the characteristics
Of megalOmania. Miscalculating. like Seward
Lincoln's genius in the beginning he was never
able 10 revise his estimate Of the 'AIr
Chase in the words Of the author. represents
the phenomenon of encountering at every turn
n force stronger than his own, and failing en-
tirey 70 recognize its existence" When Lin
coins supporters urged him to remove Chase. in
view Of the manner IN which he was endeavor-
ing 70 promote his political fortunes at the eX-
pense of the administration. the President told
them: MFR. Chase makes a good Secretary and
shall keep him where he is. II he becomes
President all right. I hope We may never have
a worse man When Henry ]. Raymond cal.ej
Lincolns attention TO the danger that might
arise from Chase's candidacy. he answered with
one of his homeIy aueeiotes:
Raymond. you We're brought Up or farm. We're
YOU not Then you know what chin hy is NJ
tucky farm ] driving the horse and he holding
plough The horse was lazy; but on one occasion
rushed across the field So tAtt I. with nay Ions
legs. could scarcely keep pace with him. on reach
NV t@S hon t9 Ii I 1b1 ib HloSAfi tdr y & ON
why said uy brother. that's al tnat made him
go" Now. = NJ Chase has Presidential chin
ty biting him, I'm NOT going 10 knock it of: If II
wlu only make the department go"
Mr. Ro,hschid adds: only a true leader Of
men could so regard the competition Of power
fuI subordinate"
Regarding LiHcoln's relations with Stanton.
Mr. RojhschiId writes in 4 manner that serves
to bring out the strong points of both men. 1t
is no part Of his scheme. # course % belitte the
ability Of those against whom Lincoln was ready
to pit himself in Carrying out his plans for say
ing the Union. Space. however. permits of the
reprintinS Of but single extract:
Even when shown that he had erred stanton
could with difficulty he Induced To modify his an
doubted whether hr ever brought himself S4v
w;iS wrong His hrmrcSS ,egcneratet at times
into ohStinacy: his enthusiasm into Intolerance.
his strength ot Will into arrogance No Who
Only MASTER Of masters could control such an
embodiment OF force. NJ the time of his appoint
Ilrut Mr. stanton had in degree manifested
some II not all ot these traits. They BODIED no
Presidents authority so thought The friends
warned Mr. Iins0ln that nothing could be dome
with such a man. unless be were allowed 70 hlV,
his own way There appeared tn be abuviIuc
that stanton would run away with the whole con
Germ Strangely enough. the President showed
alarm He WIS merely rem n,et OF a little story
We may have e. treat him said he. 'as They
lister know of out West. He gets wrought ,u ~
50 high "a pitch OF excitement his PRAYERS tud
eNhortltlurS that thry are obliged put bricks
his pockets 70 keep him DOWN. We may Ne, Obliged
- 81.