New-York tribune., 1918-02-12
The Lincoln Precedent
FIis Treatment of Stanton and His
Plea for the Truth

Sir: was Interested and amused at the
thrust at Colonel Roosevelt and his legion
of admirers made by John c. Dempsey in the
communication published in The Tribune on
Monday under the caption Don't Badger"
Mr.. Dempsey aims to send his shaft home by
relating of the Abraham Lincoln
stcries
Evidently Mr.. Dempsey is also an admrer
o. the great Lincoln, and it might be worth
his while to read in Yarns and Stories, by
Abraham Lincoln" published by Cooper g.
Co., Chicago, 1901, just at this time, when
conditions almost identical, these stories,
for it will be recalled that Colonel Roosevelt
went to the White House to commend Presi-
dent Wilson'S great speech.
President Lincoln, we'll aware of Stanton's
unfrendiness, was surprised when Secretary
OF the Treasury Chase told him that Stanton
had expressed the opinion that the arrest Of
the Confederate commissioners, Mason and
Slidel, was legal and justified by interna-
tonal law. The President asked Secretary
Chase to invite Stanton to the White House,
and Stanton came Mr. Lincoln thanked him
tor the opinion lie had expressed and asked
him to put it in writing.
Stanton complied, the President read it
carefully, and, after putting it away, as
founded Stanton by Offering him the port
folio of War. Stanton was Demo- rat, had
been one of the Presidents most persistent
vilifers, and could not realize at first that
Lincoln meant what he said He managed,
however, to say: "Im both surprised and
embarrassed, Mr.. President and would ask
Il couple of days to consider this most i'm
portant matter"
Lincoln fully understood what was going
on N Stanton's mind, and then said
"Ihis is very critical period in the life
CT the nation, Mr.. Stanton, as you are we'll
aware, and we'll know you are as much
interested in sustaining the government as
myself or any other man. This is no time
TO consider mere party issues. The life of
The nation is in danger. l need the best coun.
sellors around me. have very confidence in
your Judgment, and have concluded to ask
you to become one of my counselors. The
cfhcc OF the Secretary of War will soon be
Tacant. and am anxious to have you take
Ny. Cameron's place"
Stanton decided to accept
AS bearing on the faith that Mr. Lincoln
had in the good Judgment of his counsellor,
this story might interest MI Dempsey:
Mr. Lovejoy heading a committee of
Western men, discussed an important scheme
with the President, and the gentlemen were
then directed to explain it to Secretary of
War Stanton.
Upon presenting themselves to the secre-
tary, and showing the Presidents order. the
Secretary said: Did Lincoln give you an or
der of that kind?"
"He did, sir"
"Then he is a id fool" said the angry
Secretary.
do you mean to say that the President is
ID fool?" asked Lovejoy in amazement.
Yes, sir, if he gave you such an order as
that"
The bewidered lllinoisan betook himself at
once to the President and related the result
Of the conference.
asked Lincoln, at the close of the recital.
"He did, sir, and repeated it,"
After moments pause and looking up. the
President said: "If Stanton said | was
id fool, then l must be one, or he is
nearly always right, and generally says what
he means. will slip over and see him"
concerning the propriety and justice of
letting the public know what is going on,
President Lincoln, in an interview with
correspondent of Boston newspaper, gave
utterance to these sentiments, as related bv
the correspondent:
The North was tired of the war and sup
posed an honorable peace attainable. MIR.
Lincoln knew it was not-that any peace at
that time would be only dsunon Speakine
Of 1t, he said, I have faith in the people.
They will not consent to disunon The dan
ger is they misled. Let them know the
truth and the country is safe.'"
That is just exactly what Mr. Roseovelt
wants. So it will be that the lamented
Lincoln can be quoted in support of Colonel
Roosevelt, or any other man who is right
LYMAN S. HOLMES
SChOharle N Y Fob G 1919