The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-17
WILLIAM N. sEWARp.


We have not met with so much sound
philosophy, in the same space, for long
time, as is condensed in WILLIAM II. Sc
WARDS recent address, in Baltimore, upon
the subject Of Human Progress.
Governor Stewards mind is clearly Of the
positive character 1t is ever busy IN pur-
suing the IDEAS Of truth to their fountain
head. His writings are not Of the specnia-
tive order, but are purely practical IN all Their
bearings. His analytic powers are adequate
to the solution Of the most difficult questions
ofpubhc polity. There Is apeculiar charm
about his style Of writing. II derives its
character from the felicity with which he
treats the subjects under discussion. There
is no aiming at effect in the use Of his Ian
gaage. The great object with him is, to
convey his ideas in exact terms, and his sue
cess is triumphant.
The experience Of Mr. Seward in public
life, is larger than that which usually falls to
the lot OF men, and it has not been thrown
away upon him. He has carefully husban-
ded its rich fruits, and he is deservedy rank
ed as one Of the soundest statesmen of the
Empire State. He has enjoyed in an emf
ment degree the confidence Of his fellow citi-
zens, has occupied, with high credit to him
self and signal advantage to the public in
terests, the highest post which could be d.
rectly conferred by them, His administra-
tive faculties have been tried on large scale,
and they have been proved to be equal TO
every emergency, He never acts hastily,
and is sure and a safe councillor. In a
public capacity, he looks only to the public
good in all his councils and all his acts, as
his governorship Of the State Of New York
amply proves.
We regard Governor Seward as man Of
comprehensive intellects far ahead of the age
he lives in, but never Utopian in his IDEAS.
He is friend Of the oppressed in every
cline. His philanthropy is of the active
kind, and he is ever seeking to ameliorate
the condition of his fellow creatures. The
cause Of Ireland has found in him an eloquent
PiSaaet ~ TO ocuali, anu MS VIKINGS Oh tHls
subject furnish the best expose of the
abuses of British power in that Island,
we have ever read. His sympathy for the
stranger, forced to seek an asylum in our hap
py land has gained for him the title of Friend
Of the Adopted Citizen In word, Gov
Seward is the indicator Of human progress,
in theory and in practice.
As a lawyer, he takes rank with the best
advocates Of the country. Upon constitu-
tional law, he is perfectly at home, and
marches successfully in the footsteps of the
fathers of the Republic. There is no pub
lie question in which he is not thoroughly
versed. His essay on Human Progress is
a chef d. 9upre Of philosophy, and had the
author never been known before, this work
would have made him a name worthy of all
praise. We feel that we have done him no
more than justice in this feeble attempt to show
wherein the exoellencies OF this remarkable
man consist, and if there be any who have not
read the address in question, we advise them
to get il and make themselves master Of its
contents, and our word for it, they will cheer
fully respond to the hasty estimate we have
herein formed Of his powers as statesman
Gov. Seward against Plugging la the Navy.