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absolutely amazing
by its comprehension of details, the
solution of vexed questions, the mastery of formidable difficulties, wonder
was it his word sometimes cut like a sharp, quick blow, or that the stroke of
his pen was sometimes like a thunderbolt. It was not the time for hesitation,
or doubt, or even argument. He meant his imperiled country should be

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saved, and whatever by half-loyalty or self-seeking seemed to stand in the
way only attracted the lightning of his power.
The nation owes as much to him as to any one who in council or in field
contributed to its salvation. And his real greatness was never more
conspicuous than at the time of Mr. Lincoln's assassination. His presence of
mind, his prompt decision, his unfailing faith and courage strengthened,
those about him, and prevented the issue of a frightful panic and disorder
following that unexpected assault upon the life of the republic. To have
equipped, fed, clothed and organized a million and a-half of soldiery, and
when their work was done in two days, to have remanded them back to the
peaceful industries from which they had been called; to have had the
nation's wealth at his disposal, and yet so incorruptible that hundreds of
millions could pass through his hands and leave him a poor man at the end
of his commission, shattered in health, yet from necessity obliged to resume
his legal practice, must for all time rank him among the world's phenomena.
Such a man, so true, so intent upon great objects must many a time have
thwarted the greed of the corrupt, been impatient with the hesitation of the
imbecile, and fiercely indignant against half-heartedness and disloyalty.
Whatever faults, therefore, his enemies may allege, these will all fade away
in the splendor with which coming ages will ennoble the greatest of war
ministers in the nineteenth century. He will be remembered as "one who
never thought of self, and who held the helm in sunshine and in storm with
the same untiring grip."
Nor were his services less valuable to his country when, after the
surrender of the Confederate armies, the rebellion was transferred to the
White House, and he stood the fearless, unflinching patriot against the
schemes and usurpations of its accidental occupant. Mr. Stanton entered on
his great trust in the fullest prime of manhood, equal, seemingly, to any
possible toil and strain. He left his department incurably shorn of health. He
entered upon it in affluence, with a large and remunerative practice. He left
it without a stain on his hands, but with his fortune lessened and
insufficient. Yet, when it was contemplated by some of his friends, after his
retirement, to tender him a handsome gift of money, he resolutely and
unhesitatingly forbade it, and the project had to be abandoned. He was as

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truly a sacrifice to his country as was the brave soldier who laid down his
life in the prison-pen or sanctified the field with his blood. For an
unswerving and passionate patriotism, for a magnificent courage, for rare
unselfishness, for transcendent abilities, for immeasurable services to his
country; the figure of the greatest war minister in modern times will tower
with a noble grandeur, as undimmed and enviable a splendor as that of any
in the history of the Republic; which, like his friend and co-worker, the
great Lincoln, he gave his life to save.

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