Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869 to Nahum Capen
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00008 Author/Creator: Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 24, 1862 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 25.3 cm, Width: 19.8 cm Order a Copy
Less than a month after being appointed Secretary of War, Stanton makes a thinly-veiled attack on Lincoln's economic policies.
Excerpt:
"No public man, in times like these, can fail to have both his words and acts misunderstood & any one is fortunate whose conduct is so leniently criticized as mine has been. My official position was not sought for; it is held at great personal sacrifice, and aspiring to nothing beyond, having a heart single to the one great object of overcoming the rebellion and restoring the authority of the government in time to save the nation from the horrible gulf of bankruptcy – bankruptcy not to the government only but to every citizen – I am content to bear admonition and reproof for any real or supposed errors with humble submission."
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