The Irish standard., 1908-10-10
the TRUTH OF HISTORY
President johnson and the Ex.
ecution of Mrs. Surratt.
Stanton Held Responsible For
This and Other Acts.


we desire to know the truth concern
ing events of hundred years of more
ago. when we find so much discrep-
ancy about men ana events of less
than half century ago. says tn.
Catholic Columbian.
Some time ago a certain professor
III chemistry class willie demonstrate
ing some truth purposely broke a glass
vessel The next day he called upon
various members of his class to tell
just what had happened and how.
There were as many various descrip-
tions as persons asked No two had
noticed the accident in the same way
and not ono even dreamt the professor
purposely caused the incident in order
to try their powers or observation and
memory. Quite often reliable men
will observe the same event from IN
exactly opposite point OF view. or as
an old judge once put it, some men
see with both eyes, while MANY see
with but one.
A Case in Point.
! am led to these observations nv
the fact that quite recently in this
column was noticed Senator Stewards
observations about President Johnson.
Now comes. in current magazine.
from the pen of an attache of the
White House at the ,lme. views quite
contradictory of Senator Stewart.
Both had ample opportunity, both
were on the ground IN these exciting
days. and yet the Views are as diff
ferent as light and darkness. This
last writer concedes he had strong
prejudice against Johnson before he
came into the White House: but 1t
was not many days before he began
to change his opinioh.
In regard to Johnson's alleged cruel
ty in allowing Mrs. Surratt to be exc
cuted this writer says there was
recommendation for .,crcy among the
papers submitted to enc President by
the Court, but Secretary Stanton kept
hack tho note asking for mercy and
johnson never knew Of 1t till after the
execution. On anothes- occasion Stan
ton held back a telegram from New
Orleans asking for federal aid: both
of these cases injured Johnson in the
public mind, but Stanton was respor-
sible.
These facts have been known by
many but never given such prorni-
nence before in print. Stanton is also
very strongly suspected of "a similar
act in regard to General Rosecrans.
A Rosecrans incident.
Rosecrans in 1864 was strongly
urged to take a pJ'ce on the ticket
with Lincoln. He had been removed
from command of the Army of the
Cumberland and public feeling in and
out of army circles began to realize
he had been unjustIy dealt with So
strong was this feeling that welI-in-
formed politicians thought he wound
add strength to the Republican ticket
and in June. 1864. Garfield telegraphed
him from Baltimore asking him IL he
would accept the nomination for vice
president on the ticket with Lincoln.
Lincoln would have gladly accepted
Rosecrans AS running mate. Rosecrans
after consulting friends wired back a
message that virtually was in the af-
firmative. Garfield always claimed he
never received the message and John
son was nominated 1t has since been
pretty well established that Stanton
suppressed the message and the facts
given above by this recent writer cor
roborate Stanton's tendency to resort
to such methods.
In sketch given t. the public some
years ago of the life Of Rosecrans this
fact was brought out only to be met
with derision. but the recent writer
above mentioned. by bringing forward
two incidents of similar suppression
OIL Stanton's part toward johnson only
makes the statement in Rosecrans'
case all the stronger. Stanton, as sec
rctary OF war had absolute control OF
the telegraph lines and was in posi-
tion to easily accomplish his purpose.
History's Retribution.
What retribution of history! BY
preventing Rosecrans' nomination TO
the vice presidency, he accomplished
that of Johnson, who eventually u =.
came President and no longer able to
brook Stantons autocratic conduct he
relieved him from Office, while Con-
gress was not in session and brought
on one Of the most dramatic periods
in American history.
One is inclined to wonder had Rose
Grams been President would he have
borne with Stanton as long as John
son? think not johnson was a