Extra Credit Questions

[L Verge]

And thank you, David, for giving yet another example of evidence that Tad Lincoln was often out of control and his father did nothing to diffuse him. Rest my case.

This is how the verbal interchange between President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton should have been understood by everyone reading this story:

“Let me give you, [Stanton], a bit of fatherly counsel. You know as well as I do that men are just boys of larger growth. Can’t you see that you’re to blame for this whole business? You’ve kept that boy’s blood at the boiling point for several weeks now. He doesn’t like the way you talk to me. After you went out the other day he asked me why I didn’t take you across my knees and give you a good spanking – and because I laughed at the idea then, he has taken the matter into his own hands.

You’re getting yourself disliked on all sides by fuming and swearing at everybody, and Tad isn’t the only person who resents some of the things you say to and about me. If you can make that boy your friend, you will be better able to win the war and save the Union. [By implication, this policy statement equally applied to others with whom Stanton had been unnecessarily "fuming and swearing at."]

Edwin M. Stanton forgave Tad and even the sorry plight he was in, as he seized the hand of the Chief and said fervently: “I believe you’re right, Mr. President, I believe you’re right.”

Laurie, of all people, I thought that you would have understood and appreciated this important life lesson taught in a fatherly way to and enthusiastically accepted by his grown-up Secretary of War on the spot; but, apparently, not. And, it would appear that others here also did not recognize, understand and appreciate the significance of the interchange that day between President Abraham Lincoln and his Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. I believe that Edwin Stanton became a changed man after that discussion.

Excuse me, David, but I understood that story quite well. I will start by also saying that I think Pendle was full of B.S. (and I'm not referring to a college degree) when writing it; but if true, both Lincoln and Tad owed the Secretary of War a huge apology.

You have not answered the question as to whether or not you are a father, but by your continuing acceptance of Tad's unruly behavior and his father's ignorance in the basics of discipline, I think I'm safe in assuming that you are not a father, not a teacher, and have had little contact with children younger than 18?

If you were walking down a sunny California street today, and a 12-year-old aimed a water hose at you and drenched you completely, would you pat him on the head and thank him for his actions?

I would also say that Lincoln was very lax at allowing his son(s) to be part of his meetings and the business of running the country that was involved in a horrendous war. If Tad accused Stanton of things, that means that he was allowed into the inner circle of the Cabinet and other meetings. Rowdy children are not conducive to serious decision-making.

I am quite sure that you are likely complaining about our current President inserting his children into the Executive Branch. They are grown-ups with good education and backgrounds in business (and were surely vetted by the Democrats while their father was just considering a run for the office). They don't suit you, I bet, and yet you condone the actions of a child that was totally annoying to others around him - except for his father. I don't get your logic.

Finally, while you are quoting from other sources, please include some information on Mrs. Lincoln's reactions to Tad's behavior. Was she truly as lenient as her husband, or did she just leave the discipline up to him. Would she be over-ruled if she did attempt to instill some good behavior in her son? Inquiring minds want to know.