Final answer:
Secretary Stanton refers to Edwin Stanton, who was Secretary of War during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations and was involved in the politics of the Reconstruction era, including Johnson's impeachment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked who Secretary Stanton was. This refers to Edwin Stanton, who served as the Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln and, later, President Andrew Johnson. He played a significant role during the American Civil War and was a critical figure in the politics of the Reconstruction era.
His tenure included pivotal events such as the impeachment proceedings against President Johnson. Stanton was a member of the Radical Republicans and a proponent of harsh policies toward the defeated Confederate states. He was effectively protected by the Tenure of Office Act, which led to President Johnson's impeachment when he attempted to remove Stanton from office.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, while also an important historical figure, was a different person known for her work as a feminist and suffragist, not related to the Secretary of War.