Mr. George W. Julian, a Representative in Congress, said, "I called on the President respecting the appointments I had recommended under the conscription law, and took occasion to refer to the failure of General Frémont to get a command. He said he did not know where to place him, and that it reminded him of the old man who advised his son to take a wife, to which the young man responded, 'Whose wife shall I take?'
"At another time," said Mr. Julian, "a committee of Western men, headed by Mr. Lovejoy, procured from the President an important order looking to the exchange of Eastern and Western soldiers, with a view to more effective work. Repairing to the office of the Secretary, Mr. Lovejoy explained the scheme, as he had done before the President, but was met by a flat refusal.
"'But we have the President's order, sir,' said Lovejoy.
"'Did Lincoln give you an order of that kind?' said Stanton.
"'He did, sir.'
"'Then he is a d—d fool,' said the irate Secretary.
"'Do you mean to say the President is a d—d fool?' asked Lovejoy in amazement.
"'Yes, sir, if he gave you such an order as that.'
"The bewildered Congressman from Illinois betook himself at once to the President and related the result of his conference.
"'Did Stanton say I was a d—d fool?' asked Lincoln, at the close of the recital.