Lincoln, master of men; a study in character . gument. Choice forthe forensic address, therefore, lay between Lincoln andStanton. The latter was selected, to Mr. Lincolns keendisappointment. He had looked forward to an active par-ticipation in the trial, not only on account of the impor-tant interests involved, but also because he was glad ofthe chance to measure his strength against that of therenowned Baltimore pleader. Lincolns chagrin, more-over, was greatly intensified by Stantons behavior. It isnot true, as has been generally reported, that the manfrom Springfield was elbowed out of the
Lincoln, master of men; a study in character . gument. Choice forthe forensic address, therefore, lay between Lincoln andStanton. The latter was selected, to Mr. Lincolns keendisappointment. He had looked forward to an active par-ticipation in the trial, not only on account of the impor-tant interests involved, but also because he was glad ofthe chance to measure his strength against that of therenowned Baltimore pleader. Lincolns chagrin, more-over, was greatly intensified by Stantons behavior. It isnot true, as has been generally reported, that the manfrom Springfield was elbowed out of the case by his east-ern colleague; but there can be no doubt that what atbest was a mortifying experience for Lincoln becamedoubly so by reason of the others rudeness. Our prairielawyer, though he ranked high at home, made a poorimpression upon Stanton, who described him, in his acridway, as a long, lank creature from Illinois, wearing adirty linen duster for a coat, on the back of which theperspiration had splotched wide stains that resembled a. THE CURBING OF STANTON 225 map of the continent. What was worse, Mr. Stantonmade no secret of his disdain. The object of it overheardhim inquiring, — Where did that long-armed creature come from, andwhat can he expect to do in this case ? So gross, indeed, were the discourtesies to which Lin-coln was subjected from this quarter, that his magnani-mous soul for some time harbored bitter feeling. I havenever been so brutally treated as by that man Stanton,was his comment on the affair ; and low as was this gaugeof Stantons breeding, it corresponded closely enough withthat worthys estimate of Lincolns ability.^ The relations between the two men underwent no im-provement, even when the humiliated associate of a fewyears before became President. What dislikes are sodeep-rooted as those for which no adequate reason canbe given ? And what public man of his day was so gooda hater as Edwin M. Stanton? His recent connection,moreover, with Buchanan
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Keywords: ., bookauthorrothschi, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookyear1906
