The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-24
VIM. Fl. SEWARD,
GOVERNOR ELECT OF NEW YORK.

OF the early history Of Mr.. Seward, the
Philadelphia Gazette, Of Monday, furnishes
brief and Interesting account, OF which, we
have availed ourself-for the advantage OF the
rising generation. We have Invested the ex-
tract OF the party illusions which the original
contained, inasmuch as they might give UNI
bragg 10 some, and are unnecessary to the
purpose we have in view. The Gazette
says /:
"Some eighteen years ago, in one OF the
loveliest villages of western New York, there
might have been seen occasionally in its prin-
cipal street, a boyish looking, thoughtful stu
dent. He had few intimates, yet many friends;
but those he had, and their adoption tried,
he buckled TO his soul, with hooks of STEEL"
Coming from one Of the richest agricultural
counties OF the State, with good name, and
an honored parentage-with the impulse OF
unstaned intellect, and fund of accumulated
learning, he was prepared from habit for men
tai industry, and by experience for its reward.
Entering upon the duties Of his legal profess
sion, he was encountered at the threshold by
vindictive detraction, which being perfectly
harmless, he needed not. He formed an al
lance, which while il did not assist his talents,
for their force would have made the same
Roadway under any circumstances, served,
at least, to stamp the position he had already
attained. Electric in the outpourings of his
mind-keeping himself always in reserve, yet
having enough and to spare Of the flashes of
his intellect, he came to be stigmatiZed by
those who saw his gifts, but feared their power,
as the imaginative, warm-minded, spontaneous
orator. Some who now bear record to his
advancement were then his observant spec
tators and admiring associates. As time
passed on, he came on from the arena of the
debating society, or private lyceum, to assem-
blies more public und promiscuous. An
adorer Of intrinsic mind, and original thought,
he disdained the architect of common places,
or the stolid retailer of incontrovertble facts,
as If they were novel wonders. He consorted
with the generous, the gifted, and the true.
With quick eye to note the lures Of hypocri-
sy, he knew in whom he trusted and while
he never found an enemy worthy to win, he
never lost a friend desirable to retain. Pur-
suing this course, with a love for what was right,
noble and liberal, coexisting with the deepest
dsdain for all that was treacherous, narrow
and wrong, it is not surprising that among the
practisers Of the latter he attained adverse
ries. Like every honest man, he had his side
in politics--he entertained Wing principles,
and devoted himself to their dissemination
with spirit worthy the cause.
'sTime passed on-the young barrister
rose from rank to rank in his profession, and
in the political theatre; and there he electro
fed crowds with his eloquence. Troops Of
friends ran to his standard they found that
his heart was pregnant with the holy fire of
patriot emulation-they saw him an exponent
Of their principles and in the flower Of his
manhood, and the flush of his fame. they have
elevated him at last to the loftiest pinnacle Of
sovereignty within the view or the gift of the
people who hail him their chief magistrate.
Let those who know what to attain to,
and what to contemn, learn confidence in their
firmness from his career, and take heart in
their path from his bright example,"