Edwin Stanton

[Thomas Thorne]

I have very fond memories of this book. I was intrigued by the "good cop" "bad cop relationship between AL and ES. Many of Stanton's critics believed he hankered for the presidency. Given his brusque personality which Stanton realized he had,Stanton would not have harbored any illusions about currying support among politicians. He did nothing to seek the Republican nomination in 1868.

He wanted to be Chief Justice after Taney died in 1864 but Lincoln deemed him too valuable at the War Department. In 1869 Grant nominated Stanton-who by this time was afflicted with a severe asthma condition-to the Supreme Court and the Senate speedily confirmed him. There was a poignant coda in which the ill Stanton received a congratulatory message addressed to "Mr Justice Stanton" signed by "U. S. Grant" and Stanton telling Mrs Stanton to have his law books out so he could prepare for the next Supreme Court term. I believe Stanton died within a couple of days of asthma before he could take the required oaths to become an Associate Justice.

The story that he killed himself in remorse for Mrs Surratt anticipated the journalistic standards of the "Weekly World News" without its humor.
Tom