The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-20
Springfield the Best Known Spot on
the Map Of illinois.
WHAT WILL LINCOLN DO IF ELECTED?
Interview Between Him and
Seward.
THE PROBABLE CABINET OF LINCOLN.
ANxIETIEs, PERPLExITlEs AND NTRICUEs,
ks., &s., H.
Our Spring Held Correspondence.

SPRINGFIELD, H., Oct. l6, 1860.
InHu1 Of Politicians to Visit Liacotn-A1es 10
G,-ind-The Iateruie,o Bet,oeen Se,oayd and Lin
colrl-W VIM and Ho1 il Took Place-Se,oard Not
10 Hold Office Under The Neat Administration, dc.
This handsome little prairie town, with its quiet
look Of a New England village, its unpromis
ing hotels near the railroad station, its half dozen
churches sending their white spires high up into
the clear blue sky and its snug homes half hidden
from view in the thick foliage with which they
surrounded, appears TO possess at this time spe-
cal intere IT in the eyes of politicians Every day
some one or more Of the republican stump orators
who are perambulating the country, from the banks
of the Penobscot to the banks of the Kansas, find
that they have some little business requiring their
attention here. That business invariably brings
them into personal communication with the great
celebrity of the place-the ex-rail splitter-who,
to bis own and the countrys establishment, sudden
" found himself famous by the action of the Chicago
Convention. What can all these long winded but
empty headed orators have to say TO Old Abe
Much that is Of consequence to themselves to be
said little that would be interesting to the public
to have repeated. One thing Mr. Lincoln ought to
be satisfied Of, if he has any confidence in the as
serons Of such people, and that is that the unset
fish patriots who are stumping States for the re-
publican ticket, where there never was any room
10 doubt how they would vote, have been the origi
nal and earnest and most unyielding supporters of
the Springfield celebrity, and did much as even
Horace Greeley himself in ruling out the preten
sions of William ii. Seward. II these gentlemen
do not get an opportunity of serving their country
for the next four years. in positions where there is
little work and much pay, you may depend upon
IT that it will not be for want of blowing their
trumpets nor from any modesty in magnifying their
own achievements.
But speaking of William II. Seward reminds me
that the principal design of this communication was
TO discuss the relations existing between him and
Mr.. Buchsnan's successor in the White House. 1t
has been remarked that throughout Mr.. Stewards
grand ovation in the Northwest, he very rarely
and then only in the curtest manner, spoke of the
republican candidate for the Presidency. He re.
cognized that the hattering demonstrations that
attended his tour were made in honor of himself
personally and had little nothing 70 do with the
republican cause or candidate. The men who &C
companied and surrounded him were his own imme
date friends and admirers; and while they yielded
passive obedience to the ukase Of the Chicago
Convention they tried TO stife the expression
OF their regret that the choice had not fallen on
tier iavorte or, General Nye used to put it, on
New YoIk's hvorite son. Seward himself would
have been more or less than human If he
did not, 10 very considerable extent,
share in this feeling His heart was not In the
cause Of Line. and Hamln. He might well
have been deferred from trying to make a show Of
loyalty toward that cause by the reflection that in
doing 50 he would expose himself to the charge OF
insincerity aud hypocrisy. And So while he talked
Of the rrepressible conflict, Of the backwardness OF
slave communities, and of the present and prospec-
tive grandeur Of the great West, he attempt
ed to inspire his hearers with any elevated idea OF
the talents or abilities Of Mr.. Lincoln.
let not Mr.. Seward be blamed for this Rather
honor him for his avoidance Of even the semblanee
Of hypocrisy.
But, then, il may be said the proof Of Mr.. Sew
ards shcere regard for Lincoln may be seen in the
fact that he passed through Springfield for the sole
purpose Of seeing him, when he might have gone
by another route, and when II had been actually
arranged that he should 90 by another route.
That circumstance is not worth so much as
may appear at first sight. There was little bit Of
policy in this deviation. Would you know the Sc.
cret Of in And il is not much Of a secret either.
Seward went by way Of Springfield because il had
been represented 10 him, and he acknowledged the
truth Of the representation that his avoidance OF
Springfield, when he might a. well take that route
would be sure to be construed into an evidence Of
hostility against Lincoln, and neghs operate preju
dicially to the republican cause. That argument
swsyed him; although, on the other hand, IL he
should have an interview with Lincoln the same
slanderous spirit might find In that fact "confrma-
ton strong proofs q holy writ that Seward was
negotiating for the State Department or for the
mission to London. How was he to avoid Scylla.
and yet not fall into Charybdis! BY one Of those
very compromises which enable us, in personal
ard political matters, 10 avoid 20 many difficulties
and which Mr.. Seward himself so contemns and
reyiles when the slavery question is involved. He
resolved, IL seems TO 20 to Springfield but at the
same timeto avoid any private interview with Lin.
coin, and thus disarm malice OF a weapon with
which she might otherwise annoy him.
That is how Messrs. Seward and Lincoln came TO
have that brief meeting In the cars, OF which your
reporter gave you the particulars by telegraph.
one Of the great questions that occupy the pub.
lie mind now In connection with the success Of the
republican cause s this:-Win Mr.. Lincoln's ad.
be carried on In such manner as 70
90 equal and exact justice to all parts OF the con.
or win the radical and subversive ideas
of Mr.. Sew nd nregard TO the question Of slavery,
be permitted to exercise an influence which could /
only have most ruinous consequences In other |
words, win Mr.. Seward hold place In the Cabi.
net, or win be be at least a power behind the
hronel
One part Of the question, think, can answer
With some degree Of confidence. Mr.. Seward win i
lot hold place in the next administration. 1t
would not be Mr.. Lincolns wish that he should,
However much he nigh, feel himself bound to Offer
/. lie Is naturally jealous Of Stewards influence,
md Of his undoubted abilities as q statesman. He
! not inclined to follow as q satellite 10 the orbit
which Seward prescribcs, but, on the contrary,