How Lincoln Was Dissed

[Troy Cowan]

I read the article in the Atlantic. I have a problem with a writer that complains about Lincoln being dissed and then go on to diss another.

He said of Lincoln, "He was called a coward, “an idiot,” and “the original gorilla” by none other than the commanding general of his armies, George McClellan."

McCellan did no such thing. Edwin Stanton in a communication to General McCellan called Lincoln the original gorilla. It was Stanton, not McCellan.

McCellan said,
"I had never seen Mr. Stanton, and probably had not even heard of him, before reaching Washington in 1861. Not many weeks after arriving I was introduced to him as a safe adviser on legal points. From that moment he did his best to ingratiate himself with me, and professed the warmest friendship and devotion. I had no reason to suspect his sincerity, and therefore believed him to be what he professed. The most disagreeable thing about him was the extreme virulence with which he abused the President, the administration, and the Republican party. He carried this to such an extent that I was often shocked by it.
He never spoke of the President in any other way than as the " original gorilla," and often said that Du Chaillu was a fool to wander all the way to Africa in search of what he could so easily have found at Springfield, Illinois. Nothing could be more bitter than his words and manner always were when speaking of the administration and the Republican party. He never gave them credit for honesty or patriotism, and very seldom for any ability."