The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-15


the wealihiest men In Orange county-of the ine-
rior. Though he possessed abundant means, he did
u think fiji 10 rear his progeny In ideness; on The
contrary, he taught them thai, whilst ne watched
over and protected their homage they were 10 depend
on their own industry for their subsequent success
and preferment.
| After having acquired common grammar school
education at the academy OF his native yilage where
he evinced that talent and genius, and that Industry
as noytlate which bespoke his future success and
I preiermens, he was entered q freshman, ne Union
College, Schenectady; and, after having completed
the usual course OF studies, was graduated with the
higher honors of Alma Mater. His collegiate life
we are informed by one Of his classmates was dis
nguished for Its serenity, sobreiy, and diligence in
pursuit Of scholastic honors and attachments, and
for the practice Of every manly and noble virtue, =
The reves and riots and scenes ofdsspation, which
so often disiigure the career OF the siudent-and
which, by the way, are not always the harding rs OF
an ultimate life Of friyoy and imbecility UNI
known TO him his was lofty pride, nobler ambi-
| zion, which led him merrly onward whilst he sirug.
glfd 10 achieve an education that would fl him for
! The higher honors oil his state and country.
Immediately after he had graduated with the de
gree Of Bachelor Of Arts and limited purse In his
pockets, he migrated to the SOUTH and commenced
life as teacher And Il probably was whilst he was
thus employed, in land ofbondage, that he imbbed
from practical observation, that honest and honora-
| bic deesaton OF slavery, which lie has always dis
played, and for The avowal Of which, he has always
been distinguished.
After spending some mon,hi--it might have been
year or iwo--fn the south, whore he was respected
and honored by oil who knew him, he returned TO
the land oil his fathers. After remaining brioi PEE
/ Rod, at the paternal Homestead, he emigroied TO
! Cayuga county; and, entered himself student al
law, In the Office Of that sterling, indomiiabe, elo-
! quent, and eminent democrat, Ogden Hoffman.
Having completed his legal studies, he commenced
the practice Of the law, and wac speedily successful
in Obtaining u large practice. He was even then
| regarded as one Of the ablesl members OF The New
York bar. Being firmly established in his profess
sion he married Miss Miller, Young lady Of Auburn,
the daughter Of an eminent and worthy citizen Of
| that vicinity.
When, In the year 1923, the anti Masonic excite
ment burst forth, with unparalleled vehemence and
fury-in consequence Of the abduction and murder
of William Morgan---and threatened 10 shake the
very foundation Of society," Mr.. Seward, aciunted by
an adherence of deed OF unexampled airocity and
cold FLOODED periy took part in the discussion II
generated, and esponsed The cause Of those who vim
Dictated the supremacy Of the laws, and the well
being Ct civil institutions. He walred noi however
against nen--he sought moi the immoaiion Of SO
cety-his was higher Object; and whilst il sought
the punishment Of men who had been guilty of one
Of the most diaboic acts that had ever disgrared the
annals OF civilization, he was anxious to defend and
protect the members Of an institution, who had had
no agency in brutal murder, and who deprecated
and sought the conviction of the guilty.
4 The honorable part Mr.. Seward took In the anti
Masonic excitement, secured TO him the respect and
confidence Of the people Of Cnynga and the adjacent
counties that formed the sixth senatorial disIricf and
was elected 10 represent them in the conservative
branch Of the legislature In that body, he acquitted
himself with very great ability, and al once became
fayorlle with the people. At this period of his life,
4 accompanied by his inther, he made voyage 10
Europe and, after having travelled Throughout Eng
land, Ireland Scotland and several OF the conlinen
tai states, returned home, and resumed his legislative
and professional duties. Whilst absent, he wrote
nal which attracted public attention; were taste.
fully written and universally repnblished; and
gained for the author an exalted reputation, as a
bellies ieHres scholar
In ihn pnay lfr ard nj lha ami
nation Of The Wings for The Office Of Governor; and
although il was sneered at laughed al, and rdicned,
by the Democratic party, he was successful, and
| ranqushed Governor Marcy Notwithstanding he
was sustained by the nnbroken force Of the Democ:
| racy oil New York, aided by the wealth, tact, and
appliances of the far-famed Albany Regency.
] On assuming the duties Of Chief Magistrate Of
1 New York, Gov. Seward found the State intensely
excited by the "school question:" The Catholic
population, long oppressed and derided by their nat
nral and uncompromising foes, the Professionals who
| had, by their hostile attitude toward Catholicism
denied TO their children the benefits Of ed.
ucaon, asked that their portion Of the fund should
be appropriated to the creation Of schools where
their children might be educated, and escape Pro
! esant hostility and persecution.
| AT the bare suggestion Of the scheme, Protesant-
ism rose in rebellion, denounced Catholicism aud
Catholics without stint or mercy and war OF ex-
Irish, German, and foreign Catholic population gen.
orally.
| Notwithstanding the Catholics were VIGOROUSLY
/ in fearful minority such was the justice Of their
clam---such was Its reasonablenesa, that Governor
Seward esponsed their cause, and In his first mes
sage to the Legislature, recommended It's indulgence
For this, noble and independent aci, he was de-
nonnced by u large portion OF his party; and his i'm
mediate defeat was confidently predicted.
In the year 1910, he was again nominated for the
Office of Governor; and, In defiance Of nm opposition
hitherto unexampled was elected by an immense
majority In 1912, a denomination was rendered
him; but, satisfied with the honors Of gubernaioral
life, he declined j.; and, returning 10 the domestic
circles, resumed the practice Of his profession.
The executive life Of Governor Seward was stir
ring and acrimonious. His policy, and that Of the
party that sustained him; was antipodal and antag-
onsticul 10 that Of the ierrapn school Of his Inn
mediate predecessor: and his administration was
opposed with the most bitter and vindctive vehe-
mence He had recommended and commended
series Of internal improvements, calculated TO adj
vance the prosperity of the Sate, BY developing and
bringing into utility Its vast and hitherto hidden re-
sources--by widening the Erie Canal--the consiruc-
ton of the New York and Erie RaiIroad--thns es-
tabllshng more immediate intercourse with our
immense lake navigation. md bringing The COM
merce Of the Far West and The valley Of the Missis.
| sippi to our great commercial depot.
| The necessary expenditures incident to the con-
1 summation Of these schemes schemes which, had
| they been completed, would have produced return
I In n tenfold raiio--impnsed nomentaTy taxation
| to which the agricultural interests were not accus
toned, and ended IN the enlightenment Of nnpopu-
ariiy for their originator
I The time for nnrmuring, however has passed |;
/ these schemes were conceived by superior wisdom,
and wonld, had they been left TO win their own
| summation, have conferred nnlnited benefits and
nnbolinded wealth on the great New Yolk commu-
| nity.
i Governor Seward continued In retirement, de-
voted to his profession not however, holding him
self aloof from the politics Of The day. till few weeks
since, when he was elected member OF the United
1 States Senate. The vote by which he WINS elected
was indeed most triumphant, and fully evinced the
high position he holds In popular favor,
| Ii he be what Is nominaly called Wing, he has
throughout his political life manifested all the es-
i senals Of n Democrat, In the fullest sense of the
1 word. He has ever been the chefiian and advocate
Of emancipation In both hemsphcres-- and. whilst
he has eapoused the cause OF the oppressed Of Ire
land--whsi lie has spoken the language OF freedom
10 the Smuggling States Of Europe has not for,
gotten thar liberty IL the oirhright and the boon Of
his own colntryinen. Whilst he has not sought 10
interfere with the peculiar institutions Of any Of
the States whilst he has always admitted their
right 10 manage their municipalities in their own
wayne has commended, aud still contends and will
contend, whilst life shall last that the tide Of sla
very shall stand stIl md that New York cannot.
will not and shall NOT be accessory TO its extension