The papers to-day
contain a synopsis of what took place yesterday in the Cabinet on the subject
of Reconstruction. I have no doubt that the President himself furnished the
information and probably the report precisely as it is published. He has shown
tact and sagacity in doing it. The report of the position of each member is
accurate, although I think Stanton was less decided than stated. Nevertheless
he intended that the President should take that impression, and I appreciate
the adroitness of the President in giving publicity to Stanton's position as he
represented himself in the Cabinet. The Radical friends of Stanton will be
incredulous as to his position in the Cabinet. He must, however, content
himself with the exposition made or openly deny it. He can no longer equivocate
or dissemble.
In a conversation
which I had with the President yesterday after the other members left, he
remarked that the time had come when we must know whether we had a united or
divided Cabinet; that the Radicals had strengthened themselves by constant
representations that portions of the Cabinet were with them.
To-day Seward
remarked to me that while he should say nothing in regard to the opinion of his
associates, he had said, and should repeat to others, that he was not
misrepresented in the report. I told him I was glad that Stanton's position was
so clearly defined, for I had not so understood him. Seward said Stanton had
gone along with us so far; that Stanton had come into Mr. Lincoln's Cabinet
under peculiar circumstances, and had said to him (Seward) that he should stand
by his (Seward's) policy while he remained in the Cabinet and go with him on
all essential questions.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 498
