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

hIdycd against the Uo'cfuof. LUG cVhei"
versy on this question continued through the whole
of his administration II affected his popularity so
much to deprive him Of about 1000 votes on his re-
election. But the result has since demonstrated MS
far-rescbiDg sagacy. At the very first session OIL inc
Legislature after his retirement from office his plan
for the education Of all classes of children, not excud-
inc those Of foreigners and Catholics was adopted oy
decisive psiortes nor has the utility Of the measure
since been questioned except in some instances oy
those whose religious scrupes have led them to decline
participation in it's advantages -,
On the first of Jan. IS43, Gov Seward resigned the
administration of the State into the hands oil MS
sor. having previously declined to be candidate i'r
reelection On retiring from his o'ciai DUTIES ne re-
turned Immediately to his residence IN Auourn' ana III
few DAYS WAS seen engaged in his profession with as
ncb canness and assiduy, as if he had never enjoyed
tho bonors of the highest post in his native State
Durino the ensuing six years, he devoted himself to
;t duties with brilliant and growing His prac
rice at first was confined to the various courts of the
State in which his services in great request and
commanded liberal retainers Soon, however his pecu-
liar aptitude for subjects involving scientific and me-
chanical principles gained him large and lucrative
practice in the trial OF patent cases in the United
States Courts In the other departments of his profess
son especially in the defense of criminal cases. his re.
puration was favorably extended in every quarter
His retirement from political office, permitting the
abatement of party heats, and removing his views on
public questions from the influence of prejudice was
followed by areacton of popular sentiment in his favor
His character and opinions presented in truer
light His sincerity placed abovethe reach Of sus
pciOn New friends focked around him. while his old
friends were constant in their faithful attachment
Though deprived of the exercise of official influence, he
regarded the leader of his party in the State
and bis labors were claimed for every movement in
behalf of its interests.
On the recurrence of the Presidential election in
1S4S Mr. Seward favored the nomination of Gen Tay-
Tor in the belief that his course, if elected would be
favorable to the exclusion Of slavery from the territory
acquired in the Mexican He accordingly devoted
himself with great energy, to the canvass in the States
of New-York. Pennsylvania Ohio and Massachusetts,
in behalf of Gen Taylor The success of the veteran
soldier regarded a good omen for the policy Of
freedom, which Gov. Seward had so long defended.
Meantime he elected to the Senate Of the United
States and at chosen by Gen Taylor of
his most intimate friends and councillors. His
in the Senate is of too date to demand COM
ment in this place The volumes before show that
be has not been idle spectator Of its proceedings.
His voice has been raised the most momentous ques
tons in those halls where debate either wins great
influence or utterly wastes the speakers power"
In reviewing the course of Gov Seward as it is pre-
scented in these volumes, struck with his singu
lar devotion to lofty standard of excellence. From
the commencement of his studies he has been inspired
itb n mira and nohle ideal Tho inhuanca If this
visible throughout his collegiate course in the practise
of his profession and in his position as a statesman.
He has not been content with walking in the beaten
track. when brighter prospect and lofrier emnence
might be attained, by striking out path. With
respect for established rules far they found
I'd in wisdom utility, he has permitted con-
ventOnal restrictions to interfere with his pursuit Of
truth or love of progress Both urst aud legis
ator he has been guided by the light of reason rather
than by seryile adherence to traditional customs
With him. the decisions of authority have always had
less weight than the principles of equity The love of
improvement has led him to suggest changes whenever
innovation would promote the welfare of the Masses
the health of the body polite Hence he has never
been ranked with the political conservatives, who from
principle ayerse to progressive changes in legisa
ton and society. With his ideal tendencies, such
position was impossible The necessity of his nature
has led him to a taste for reform. Such man can
never repose idly beneath the shade of the Past. His
eyes are turned toward the rising sun-he welcomes
every ray of light which begins to pierce the gray OBJ
security of the dawn-aDd refuses to linger in soft Stun
ber when the opening day calls him forth to earnest
toll Combined with the love of action and progress in
the case of Gov Seward there has always been spirit
of sagacious oretheught which prevented the OF
energy in abortve futile schemes He has not been
dazzed by the ideal, TO which he has bowed. His i'm
agnaion has never gwen the law 10 his reason although
it has often lent it wings. His originality has been
firmly tempered with due regard to experience.
Hence it is curious fact in bis history that he has
often stood almost quite alone the advocate of re-
forms which subsequent period have been adopted
the settled policy of the state. He in advance
of his contemporaries, as the highest mountain first
ceves the rising light but he in the genuine path
of nature their progress the same position was ill.,
evtable.
The feature in his character TO which we have aud-
ed was strikngy Illustrated during his career in the
State Senate Ga becoming member of that body, as
bis biOgrapher remarks, his at assumed
the character of bOdness and originality which it still
sustsns II not shaped in accordance with tradi-
tona prescriptions but following the impulses of an in
veDtve mind sought 70 develop measures of pub
lie good and larger enfranchsemens FIR the people"
Even in his very first parliamentary effort, which was
his speech the Militia Bill Feb. T. 1881 We find his
characteristic devotion TO a high standard Defects in
the system had been complained Of for years; Mr. Sew
ard reaches to the original ground of these defects
shows how they are to be removed; suggests bold