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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Edwin Stanton Biography STANTON, Edwin Mcmasters (1814–69). An eminent American statesman, born at Steubenville, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1814, of Quaker descent. He studied at Kenyon College from 1831 to 1833, later studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1836. He first practiced in Cadiz, Ohio, and in 1837 became prosecuting attorney of the county. Later he practiced in Steubenville, Ohio, and in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he became the leader of the bar, and gained a high reputation, in particular, for his conduct of cases. In 1856 he removed to Washington, practicing before the United States Supreme Court. In 1858 he was in California as counsel of the United States in important land cases. After Lincoln's election in 1860, on the reorganization of Buchanan's cabinet, Stanton became Attorney-General, succeeding Jeremiah Black. In politics he had been a Jacksonian Democrat, but later became an antislavery advocate, and while in Buchanan's cabinet took a firm stand for the Union, declaring that the surrender of Sumter would be a public crime. In March he retired with the outgoing cabinet, but in January, 1862, was recalled by Lincoln, and given the portfolio of Secretary of War, in which office he shared with the President the burden of vast war operations. His administration was marked by integrity, judgment, determination, and force, which won admiration, though provoking some just criticism. After the assassination of President Lincoln Stanton tendered his resignation, but was induced by President Johnson to remain. After the breach between President Johnson and Congress over questions growing out of reconstruction Stanton strongly supported Congress. The President called for his resignation on Aug. 5, 1867. Stanton refused to resign, on the ground that his withdrawal would interfere with the execution of the reconstruction acts, to which the President was bitterly opposed, and was encouraged by the Republican leaders to hold to the office. On the 12th of August the President suspended him, and, Congress being in recess till November, Stanton felt obliged to yield, and General Grant became Secretary ad interim by an executive order. On the reassembling of Congress, Stanton was restored, Grant retiring. Later, Johnson again tried to displace him, but impeachment (q.v.) intervened. Stanton afterward resumed the practice of his profession, but with failing health. On Dec. 20, 1869, President Grant nominated him an associate justice of the Supreme Court, and he was at once confirmed by the Senate. He died four days after this appointment. The New International Encyclopaedia Vol. XXI. (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 451.
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