Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-02-09
BURLINGTON, FRIDAY, FEB. Q, 1865.
Senator seward.

Of special Importance, and having beneficial
bearings on some Of the greatest questions
which can occupy the national mind for
years to come, For that reason We re-
joice at it in no small degree.
Our sentiments on the matter are nownv,
Influenced by any personnel regards for Mr.
Seward himself We never 10 our know.
ledge saw the man. Bot for many year. We
have observed his public acts and have read
hi: speeches as we have those Of other pub.
lie men not always indeed with full concur.
renee on our part.
We should have TO say ae much of any man
sho has been as long and as earnestly en-
gagged in public life, Of some We should have
10 say it with stronger emphasis--even Of
those whom we, and thousands besides have
held in high respect.
1t would be idle for any one to say that Mr..
Seward has not for a long time occupied q
place Of uncommon interest ia the rub)jc
view, however different may be tue reasons
assigned for bic being in that position The
steady attachment Of \ multitude Of friends
IN his own State,--the unceasing stream of
vulgar and insane abuse which the New York
Herald, and other papers which echo its
r"viugs, have kept pouring upon him,--the
bitterness with which he mas been assailed,
oflote, By the Silver gray portion Of the y,
J. State press, which, though contessing t.
no affinity with the above named yociferous ad.
7ocate Of southern despotism has shown equal
9agerness 70 tasten upon every thing said or
done by Mr., Seward since he first came i,ty
public life, on which they could (or .appogeQ
they could) found charge to his in jury, all
80 to show that in se,ae way ne has become
man OF more than ordinary mark in the ma
ION l. is well enough to inquire WHY.
Ali the clamor about his delnagogueisin,
snd Presidency seeking, with which th. air
has been filled for years past, we make eipht
Of. Ifhe has wished to have his n,.,
opinions adopted by his fellow citizens. the |
same is true OF all men Of practical good .
sanse, and his opponents must admit tina; he (
never has been backward to make known his .
opinions on great public questions, whether
palatable to others or not. We wish damu.
;ogues generally would do 50 j would
essen their inHuenc. over their rlrblinI fol- .
lowers to 4 wonderful extent. Whether Mr..
Seward hopes or wishes to be President of the .
United States, We know not, and care rot.
We take it, that j; cannot be- put down Is q
Tery grieYoue offence in any man If, from
honest ana patriotic motives, he wishes 70
attain to position winch every school Lov. /.
from Maine TO California, is told lies in sight
for him and all his fellows TO aim at. if thrv
please, We suppose moreover, that just now, .
the nation contains AZ the lowest m1lE. .
twenty q more Politicians, WHO have aspir-,. .
lions, not to say expectations, that way,
without making account Of the scores Who
think Of Themselves, whenever they say
there is no knowing what mere lux may
bring abont since Frank Pierce got tho .lac-
ton Mr.. Seward has perfect right ~
put his name down On either lis; i. he
pleasos.
Mr.. Stewards position among the citizens
NJ his own State, with reference to questions
Of policy which affect them only, as such. Uc
DO not concern ourselves with It is enough
- say on that head, that man who holip his
ground in the minds Of lis fellow citizens rs
he has done, in spite Of ncessant opposition,
1ot only from open foes but from many who
" professed member, of the Wing party
Hght 10 have been counted trioD4s, IA man
90, who has advocated some measures quite
to multitudes il the State who
rad votes and influence to use against him. and
ias often used laDguag (which misconceptiou or
il will could easily repeat to his preiu lice 49,
must have in him, some positive and redeem.
ng qualities OF more than ordinary value in
he estimation Of those who know him bc-t,
We look a. him now in a national point Of
new only. As matters stand, We think hi- 70
urn to the L. S. Senate will do more than
my one thing to check the auiacious AZ.
emPts to bring the whole power of the GOV
as affecting both the foreign and the
domestic policy Of the nation, under the ao.
olute control Of the most unscrupulou- aud
iberty-hating politicians Of the slayeholiing
states, Whether indeed, any c1ecfual bar
Ter to such attempts can be set up in our
generation, favored as they are by an admin.
stration having such unbounded N .ans Of
at its command, and which has
hown such readiness To use them, is yet
quite doubtful.
The good influences TO come from MIR
Stewards reelection must spring from two
ources. One is this, that having shown
uch powers in the Senate az he has thus far.
md especially in the great contest Of the last
ession, the State Of NeU York-against all
orts of opposing Influences, has chosen him
or that place again, and by an Emphatic
cote in both Houses Of the Legislature \
state whose population gives her onc ssreqh
II all the votes in the House Of Representa-
iyes-and one aghth Of the entire electoral
-ote for President, is not likely to be-
forgotten at Washington. The whole force
81 the Administration and the whole force of
The Slave power united their efforts to bronx
rim down in the Senate, last year bat thew
allied most contemptibly. The like forces.
With the aid Of all the Swss aud Greek
au1iliaries which could be mustered. were.
hen put forth to break him down in hi, own
state. Again hey hare ya,icd and most can
emPf'ofY 1t is plain that the controlling
masses OF the people of the great State Of
New York have got their eyes vide Open To
-he great national question Of the time. tll
he beat NJ oF tin pans aud shaking OF red
-ags will not make them turn their eyes aside
TO stare at mere local and temporary issues.
TLo 1