Was Stanton a murder target?

[Gene C]

(10-17-2016 04:28 PM)STS Lincolnite Wrote:  Some additional thoughts.

To some degree, I think the actual legislated line of presidential succession, was irrelevant.

Remember what Al Haig (Secretary of State) said when President Reagan was shot?
"As of now, I am in control here, in the White House, pending return of the Vice President and in close touch with him. If something came up, I would check with him, of course."
At least that was how the press at the time made it sound.

You can bet that Stanton, who took control immediately after Lincoln was shot, would take control if the Vice President had also been killed for as long as needed. All in all, Stanton rose to the occasion following Lincoln's assassination, and while his actions today may have seemed overly harsh, it was probably necessary or perceived as necessary at the time. We're still one country.