Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-08-24

lows-nor of the guerrillas who have dom
yeomen's work in the contest, such as th'
Tappans, Garrisons, and Smiths-but o
the recognized commanders, who have tax
en- their seats among the rulers Of sh'
land, and actually planted their banner
staff on the floor Of Congress itself.
In the first rank stands VIM. II. Sew
ard, of New York. We dare say the time
is gone by, when his talents or his perse
verance can be denied either in the North
Or in the South. He is the most skillfu
and unreleuting enemy Of the slave inte.
rest, and, whether sincere or insincere,
must be regarded as formidable antsgo.
mist For ourselves, We regard him as a
fanatic, whose sincerity is as deep as the
roots of life, and who believes that in ad.
vancing bis political ambition, he is asser-
ting the cause of humanity also. He is a
man of fine and extensive attainments-a
graceful and captivating writer, q subtle
and Machiavelian organizer, and an orator
whose full, Ciceronian, and somewhat horid
style, must always attract popular atteu-
ton in a nation which loves eloquence as
dearly as the United States. To those qua
lications he adds deep political preset
ence which is rarely deceived; a patience
which nothing can disturb; and an adapta-
bility, which in these times Of change and
inconsistency is the most valuable gift Of
the thorough politician. The rise and pro-
gress of Seward, from his first beginning
as al obscure lawyer, to his present re-
markable exaltation, is one of the most
curious phenomena of modern political his
tory. 1t does not require much insight
to perceive that be is no casual waif, born
to an elevated place by the tide of party,
but the artifcer of his own fortune, in the
80 r-L:-' D. y" - Al.
most plant subtlety, the most reckless dar-
ing, and an amount Of genuine ability,
which can not be mistaken for a moment
We are not writing puff for Mr.. Seward,
but simply describing the foremost enemy
of the South, as he really is, and not as
the vulgar, which too many people mistake
him for. Is this man to be despised or
disregarded! Is 1t wise to liz abed, and
dream of utter security, while such an en-
gineer is mining under our outpost, with
the determination ofspringing the mine at
his convenience?
Then next in rank, stands Sumner Of
Massachusetts,. No person, even the most
prejudiced, will mistake him for com mon
man. He was distinguished as juris-
consult Of high order before he became
noted as an incendiary. His standing
amongst the scholars of his State, so pro-
life in fanatical men Of letters, has been
confessedly high for many years, and to
considerable scholastic attainments he uni
tes many popular accomplishments, which
are equivalent to credentials Of success in
an era Of agitation and revolutionary
designs. Without the caution and long
foresight Of Seward, he Possesses an equal
ly hardy position, as his bearing in Con-
gress proves, and Acknowledges 70 laws so
binding as those of bis own stern will 1t
is true that Mr.. Sumner is poor and fall
lacious logieian; but few will deny the
charms of his brilliant rhetoric,
As Seward is the Robert Peal of Aboli-
ton, Sumner is the Macaulay. His want
of direct logic is compensated for, by an
excellent imitation of true dileciism, aud the
minds Of the people are swayed oftener by
the glittering appearances of argument is-
self. The poorest fallacies become facts
among excited masses, as We learn from
the records Of As, when the splendid pa !
radoxes Of Lamartine were mistaken for
the profound utterances of an oracle of
craftsmanship. There ere days when the
populace willingly accept phrases for poll
tics.
Passing by Wilson, "the false Acbito-
phef' Of the movement, We come to Hale
af New Hampshire. In him We find re-
marEablc coordination Of popular qualities
- IL an ipexhaus.iblc fund Of fanat;cism.
The granite hilis 0r>----.;.a S.,,e are
more stern and unyieiding than bis Iatare,
aud yet he possesses as playful and trench
ant Wit as Richard Brins!cy Sheridan.
lie can always relieve solemn subject by
good humorsd joke, and compel e-en his
opponents to join in the responsive laugh,
He thinks in syllogisms, and speaks in cpl
grams. Very few men in the Senate Of
the United States can match him in debate,
for he is always ready, caus,ic, and well
informed. If his facts are sometimes me-
taphors, &s metaphors are often facts. 1t
is true that he has been in minority OF
one before now, but intellectually at least,
it was "oue with two oughts after ii" Ii
Seward is the Robert Peal, as we have said,
and Sumner the Macaulay, of Aboiitionism,
Halo may be fairly ranked as the D'lsrae-
Ii. Recent events, show that his influence
is anything but decreasing in New hamp-
shire.
And such are the leaders whom the