The Cabinet-meeting
was full. Stanton submitted an application from Judge Campbell, asking to be
released from imprisonment in Pulaski. Seward talked generalities, but on the
whole would not advise Campbell's release at present. Said C. was a fool; that
he lacked common sense and had behaved singularly. I remarked that he was a
judge of the highest court, had failed in his duty at a critical moment, that
he was the only judge on that bench that had been recreant and a traitor, and
he would be one of the last I would recommend for special favor. The others
coincided with me, and some were even stronger.
Stanton also stated
the circumstances under which he had sent a guard to close Ford's Theatre, and
prevent it from being reopened. Was opposed to its ever being again used as a
place of public amusement. Ford, he said, expected to make money from the
tragedy, by drawing crowds to the place where Lincoln was slain. McCulloch and
Harlan said that a crowd was gathering for riotous purposes, and that commotion
would have followed the opening of the theatre. Stanton assigned that as one of
the principal reasons for his course. It was concluded that it would not be
advisable for the present to permit any attempt to open the theatre, for, in
the present state of the public mind, tumult and violence, endangering not only
the theatre but other property in the vicinity and human life, would be certain
to follow.
The President and
Cabinet agreed to visit Rear-Admiral Dahlgren on the Pawnee. Went on the tug
Geranium from the foot of 7th St. at half past-four. Had a pleasant time. A
heavy shower came upon us on our return and delayed us at the wharf for nearly
an hour.
Both Stanton and
Seward are disposed to exercise arbitrary power, — have too little regard for
personal rights. The two men, I think, act in concert and have an understanding
with each other on most important questions. If neither felt quite so severe
towards Campbell, the traitor judge, as the rest of us, they were harsher
towards the other prisoners. On the question of Ford's Theatre there had, I
thought, been preconcert between them. True some others of the Cabinet were
under apprehension of a mob disturbance and concurred with them. I thought
Ford's course not commendable in some respects, but, after all, who shall
destroy his property or take it from him? A wrong is done him whether deprived
of his own by arbitrary government acts or by mob violence. Stanton says he has
been compelled to seize buildings for public use and can take this. But this is
a perversion. He does not need this building; it is an excuse, a false pretext.
And I doubt if he will put it to any public use, though I presume he will pay
Ford for depriving him of his property.
