In speaking of Mr. Stanton, he says, “The secretary of war ever stood side by side with the great and good President Lincoln, in every advanced measure. He stood foremost in the cabinet in the interest of the colored people. Now that the president has passed away, I trust that the noble war minister will receive the reward due to him by a grateful people.”
CHAPTER XIX.
THE COUNCIL-CHAMBER.—PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
We give in Major Delany’s own language his interview with President Lincoln.
He tells us, “On entering the executive chamber, and being introduced to his excellency, a generous grasp and shake of the hand brought me to a seat in front of him. No one could mistake the fact that an able and master spirit was before me. Serious without sadness, and pleasant withal, he was soon seated, placing himself at ease, the better to give me a patient audience. He opened the conversation first.
“‘What can I do for you, sir?’ he inquired.
“‘Nothing, Mr. President,’ I replied; ‘but I’ve come to propose something to you, which I think will be beneficial to the nation in this critical hour of her peril.’ I shall never forget the expression of his countenance and the inquiring look which he gave me when I answered him.
“‘Go on, sir,’ he said, as I paused through deference to him. I continued the conversation by reminding him of the full realization of arming the blacks of the South, and the ability of the blacks of the North to defeat it by complicity with those at the South, through the medium of the Underground Railroad—a measure known only to themselves.