Lincoln / Stanton relationship

[JMadonna]

Actually, Lincoln initially wanted Holt for the job but was talked out of it by Seward and Stevens. He got an earful of Stanton's personality shortcomings but he was also aware of his capabilities and Stanton proved to be the man for the enormous job.

Stanton always gave Lincoln his full opinion good and bad. Unlike Chase, he had no further political ambitions and tried to retire after the fall of Richmond. It was Lincoln that talked him out of it.