New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-04-12
NKW PUBLICATIONS.


has furnished materials for this voluminous work ak
honorable to his ability, industry and native nobenes
of character 1t comprises a range of subjects of re
markable extent; not limited to local or temporar
interests discussed with singular gravity, insight an
force Of argument; embodying profound principles
politics and craftsmanship; and illustrated with va
rety of learning an originality of statement, and
beauty of rhetoric which place the author in the from
rank of American civilians.
There are many readers doubt, Who like the pres
ent writer have not been familiar with the political in
cdents Of Gov. Stewards life, and who will obtain the
first complete impression of his course from the perusa
of this publication. But even those who have been il
relations of intimacy with him. during his career as
legislator and statesman will here find fresh ustra
tons of his energy of intellect his cearness of per
ception, and his devotion to principle. Our own i'm
pressions of Gov Seward which have been derived sole
y from an impartial examination of his writings, as pre-
sented in this work shall BE- set forth in order alter
brief sketch of his biography.
WILLIAM Henry SEWARD descended from Welsh an
cestors on the side of his father and inherting lrsh
blood from his motherwas born May TO- lool In ioliu
a village in the town of Warwick, Orange County ~ l.
His boyhood as described by the aged inhabitants OF
his native village was marked by his love oil study MS
dipence in learning and his amiable and cheerful dis
postion. At the age of fifteen he was found TO be
qualified for admission to the sophomore class of Union
College, and he accordingly became member OF that
institution in 1S16. Here he at once gained dstln-
guished rank displaying the germ at least of the rare
qualities for which he has since become so conspicuous
before the public His favore studies were rhetoric,
moral philosophy, and the ancient classics Rising at
four clock in the morning, he prepared all the lessons
of the day. and thus found leisure in the evening for
general reading and literary composition.
In his senior year, he withdrew from college for sew
eral months, and passed portion of the time as
teacher at the South The sight of slavery, for the first
time, made deep impression his susceptible mind
He was reused TO reflection on the subject and thus
obtained convictions hostile to every form of Oppres-
sion which he has since cherished with all his native
tenacity of purpose.
He returned to college in 1920, and took his first de-
gree in the summer of that year. He graduated among
the most distinguished scholars in his class sharing his
academic honors with several who have since arisen 70
eminence IN literature and public life. Soon after leav
ing college, he commenced the study Law in the office
of John Anthem, Esq, in the City -: New-York. He
completed his legal preparation with John Duer, and
Ogden Hoffman, Esquires in Goshen, n Y, and was
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court Utica in
1922
The next year Mr. Seward established himself in
Auburn and formed a connexOn in business with Hon.
Elijah Miller at that time first Judge Cayuga County
From the commencement of his practice as a lawyer,
: IL Lii. &C his nu-nc inu a6 nf
EMPLOYING older councillors In his management of a
cause he early showed tendency to rely on the alb
stract principles ofusce rather than the authority
of recorded decisions 1t was of his professional
rules to give his aid weaker party against stronger,
whether his client was right wrong but when a
stronger party claimed his services against weaker,
he would not engage in the suit without conviction
of its justice irrespective Of pecunary considerations
in either case. During the whole course of his prac-
tice, he has never acted for man against woman,
and never but once, against an accused party; and
that was an instance of gross outrage upon young
woman by man.
The attention of Mr. Seward early given to poll
tics He inherited from his father, prepossession in
favor of the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy.
Until taught by larger experience, he believed that
the socaled Democratic party embodied the spirit of
popular freedom fully than any other party of the
day But he has always attached less Importance to
mere party names than to the diffusion of genuine re-
publican sentiments among the people.
In $780, Mr. Seward was elected to the State Senate,
by majority of 1000 votes as the candidate of the
Anti Masonic party for the Seventh District and took
his seat in that body in January, 1881. This his
first election to civil office. He was probably the
youngest member that entered the NewYork Sen.
ate having not yet completed his twentynnth year.
In spite of his youth he soon attained honorable
distinction among his colleagues. The Jackson party
at this time held unlimited sway and Mr. Seward threw
himself fearessy into the opposition He soon became
its acknowledged leader. Among the questions in which
he took deep interest, those which related to
Internal Improvement and Universal Education. He
abored earnestly in behalf of the Common School sys-
tenn the abolition of Imprisonment for Debt and the
ameoration of Prison Discipline. But few Bank char
tiers obtained his vote.
During the session of 1892 Mr. Seward made his first
elaborate effort in the Senate the subject of
ing the charter of the United States Bank His speech
produced marked sensation throughout the country,
and was welcomed with universal satisfaction by the
opponents of the Federal Administration. In January
1884, after the removal of the deposits by Gen Jackson
Joint resolutions in favor of the were intro
duced into the Legislature and passed the Assembly by
large majority and without an opposing vsice. In
the Senate however they met with very different
ception The ominous silence was broken by Mr.. Sew
ard in an earnest and vigorous protest against the
buttons. His speech this occasion, which occupied
two days in the delivery, production of great abi
ity and exerted decided influence on public opinion
throughout the country.
At the expiration of his term in the Senate Mr. Sew
ard returned 10 the nractice Of his nrnfassnn hut