A Cabinet Session.
The President: Secretaries Seward, Chase, Bates, Smith, Blair and Welles. Enter Mr. Stanton.
Mr. Lincoln. Gentlemen, I officially present Mr. Stanton!
[Mr. Stanton, bowing with graceful dignity, seats himself at the table.]
Mr. Seward (breaking the momentary pause in his jocular way). Remember, Mr. Secretary of War, you are now in the old chair of Floyd and Davis: and sit thee down as if on nettles.
Mr. Chase. Aye; but out of the 'nettle danger' pluck thou 'the flower safety.'
Mr. Stanton (with emphasis). Believe me, I appreciate not so much the honor as the responsibilities of my new position. I claim a good omen, for, as I turned just now towards the gate, a little boy, seated upon one of the granite blocks for the new building hereabout, trolled out as my salutation the lines of the national air,—
'Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, In God is our trust.'
Mr. Welles. Amen!