The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-23

the character of the coming political cam
paign.
Who IL the Author Of tho Irrspreasible
Conflict.
II Is discovered now, when it is too late, that
William II. Seward is not the originator of
the irrepressible conflict for which he has
been rendered 60 obnoxious to the con-
serva.ive classes, and has been thrown over.
board at Chicago as not available for the Pre-
sideocy, but Abraham Lincoln, Of Illinois, the
nominee of the Republican Convention, who, in
his contest with Douglas for the United States
Senatorship in Illinois, proclaimed the revolu-
tionary doctrine six months in advance Of
Seward, in language as strong as that employed
by the Senator from New York. This was ad-
mitted by the Tribune on Monday last, which
quoted the speech Of Lincoln, and said it was
all right Lincoln is, therefore, the real author
of the irrepressible conflict, though Greeley
and Blair slaughtered Seward as the author, in
order to make way for old fogy Bates
Lincoln says "the government cannot endure
permanently half slave and half free;' it unjust
become all one thing or all the Others" "either
the opponents of slavery will arrest the further
spread of it and place it where the public mind
shall rest in the belief that it is in the course
of ultimate extinction, or its advocates will
push it forward" &c. Here is the identical ire
pressible conflict on the question of slavery, for
whose ultimate extinction the republican
party is organized, with Lincoln for its stan
dard bearer. Seward merely took up what
Lincoln originated, and everybody knows that
in Mr.. Stewards mouth the doctrine had very
different meaning from what it had with Lin
coin. In his speech In the United States Sc
greatly modified his Rochester speech. Mr..
Seward Is naturally and constitutionally con-
servative man. He is remarkable for his
cool caution and his freedom from pas.
sion. He is highly educated, polished
gentleman, sagacious statesman, Of great
experience in public afairs, the .facils
piaceps of the republican party. He is ami
able, moreover, in his manners, and benevo-
lent in his private character. It is very
generally believed, therefore, by those who
know him best, and even by his political oppo-
nents, that, however he may have played with
fanatical passions for political purposes, yet if
he were elevated to the Presidency, he would
disappoint the hopes Of the abolitionists, and
be as conservative as any President who ever
filed the chair Of the chief magistracy.
This Is more than any one can say or think
Of the rough-spun disputatious village poll
tician, who is known as the "IIonest Abe Lin
coin honest, because he has the reputation of
being as truculent as he promises, and, Ike
John Brown, means what he says. Seward
was refined republican, whom his party could
not force beyond his own Judgment. Lincoln
is exactly Of the same type as the traitor who
was hung at Charlestown- an aboliionist Of the
reddest dye liable to be led to extreme lengths
by other men. Without education or refine
ment, he will be the plaything Of his party,
whirled along in the vortex Of passion II he
should gain the control Of the government
The comparison between Seward and this illite-
rate Western boor Is odious-it is a. Hyperion
to satyr. Lincoln has in an aggravated and
virulent degree all that rendered Seward IN
popular with the conservative classes, while be
has none Of those redeeming qualities and
gifts Of genius which distinguish the son Of
New York.
Seward has been now twice defeated by his
own party, and served after the same fashion as
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster and John G.
Calhoun. Like them, be will become great
historical character In his own day. Hence.
forth be belongs 10 the history Of bis country.
His public career Is virtually closed. He can
no longer take any interest in the success Of a
party which has proved itself SO unworthy Of
him. If he should remain in the United States
senate-which we very much doubt bis future
path will not be that Of the partisan chief He
viii be Mentor In the councils Of the nation
q Nestor, to whose wisdom younger Senator's
viii look up. The envy and rivalry which have
made him martyr will be buried in his poll.
teal grave, and his merits will be appreciated
even in bis lifetime, when II Is found that he no
longer stands In the way Of the vaulting ambi
ton Of other men. On bis tomb win be in
scribed, Here lie the remains OF William H.
Seward. one Of the greatest statesmen Of the
age done TO death at Chicago, on the 18th of
May, 1850, by the hands Of Horace Greeley, Of
New York or Oregon, and Francis p. Blair
told Blair. Of the Globe, now Of Silver Springs).
and Other conspirstors. He FELL covered with
innumerable wounds, most Of them in his back.
In bis dying agony he turned a reproachfal
look on Greeley. and, in the words Of stabbed
Crsar TO Brutus, exclaimed, ~ Z, gvoq,e,
B,1de!"