Edwin Stanton

[Thomas Thorne]

I am by no means an uncritical admirer of Stanton. While an excellent administrator, I don't think he had sufficient calmness to deal with the stresses of battle. He was too trustful of Holt and he lacked the fine sense of discrimination required in handling internal security. Despite the accusations made against him, he did not as far as I can see use improper command influence to have the conspirators who were not sentenced to death in the L.A. put to death. I have seen no evidence that Stanton or Holt withheld the commutation recommendation re Mary Surratt from Pres Johnson.

PS
Dear Bill
Have you seen the article by Paul Finkelman in today's New York Times "The Monster of Monticello." I have not read it yet. People who use Paul Finkelman to vindicate Southern rights are pouring gasoline over their heads.
Tom