The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-06-07
Visit to Gov. Seward.
Correspondents Of the N. Y. Times.
AUBURN Tuesday, May %

| AonoaN AaSoaiy, --s low.
| have turned aside from my direct route
homeward, in order to pay visit of respect
and friendship to Gov Seward. | found hin
as busy and as happily ensag ID in directing
the improvements of his delightful country
residence, as if no such incident as treachery
and disappointment ever disturbed The tenor
ofpoiti;alIife. His barns and outhouses, you
remember were burned few weeks since
His special errand at home, just now, is to
arrange for rebuilding them when his plans
have been made for this work, he will re.
turn to Washngton,-prob early next
week, and resume his seat in the Senate.
He will serve out the remainder of his term in
that body, but will not, in any event or
under any circumstances, be candidate for
reelection. His personal friends know that
this has been his fixed purpose for the last
two years. He regards his public life as
definitely closed-and seems to derive more
solid satisfaction from the prospect Of retire
ment than any additional honors could pos.
sibly confer. Mr.. Seward is unquestionably
ambitious, but he has never permitted his
judgment to be clouded by the favor of as
pration he knows very well that the record
he has made upon the history of the country
could not be improved by any prolongation
ofhis service, while the chances of protracted
political life might possibly render it less
clear and conspicuous than he leaves it now.
Besides this, he has toiled, as few men have
ever done before him; and the incessant,
Conscientious la5ors Of thirty years have
not been without their effect upon physi
cal constitution never very strong.-and
have begotten the desire, so natural to men
with whom reflection outweighs impulsive
ambition, for the repose and quiet that be-
long to the closing years of an active and
useful life.
Those who know the society in whose
bos I'm he will seek that rest, will have no
difficulty in understanding the pleasure with
which he looks forward to the day Of his
deliverance from public and official cares
His home is large country mansion--in
the midst of spacious, well shaded and care
fully adorned grounds-upon the borders OF
one of the loveliest villages in Western New
YORK. by all classes Its inhabitants he
is regarded with feelings that transcend the
ordinary limits OF mere friendship. He Is
respected, honored and beloved by every
BODY and just now, when ne Is supposed
to have sustained the heaviest blow that can
fall upon the head of public MANN the
Withholding OF honors nobly earned, and
Justly awarded by the hearts OF the millions
he mas served,-nothing can be more touch
ing than the compassionate sympathy and
love which meet him at every step. Moth
ing but thIs,' sad he, was wanting to
make my retirement the happleSt event OF
long ana successful career fou may dis
miss all the Sp'cutatlons IN which the public
Journals are just now indulginr, as to the
place he will hold in the new Republican
Aininistration-if we shall have one-as
idle and useless. Hcnceforth the only sphere
OF his labors will be his home, and the socie-
ty which surrounds 1t. Some who desire
his nomination to the Presidency console
themselves by looking forward to 1864 as
still likely to confer it upon him. Heknows
too well the vigor and endurance, physical
and intellectual. which are essential to the
| discharge ofits duties, to look upon such an
| event as desirable, even it were possible
He has watched too carefully the instances
| in which public men have Gagged super
/ fuous' on the public stage,--and he appre-
ciates too highly the real destiny and worth
of his own position, to cherish the faintest
| wish to add, in his own person, one more to
their number. ale must be very vain, or
very shallow person." said he, ''who as a
matter Of personal choice, prefers to spend
what remains Of life already close upon
| three score years, in the turmoil and angry
contention of political controversy, rather
than in quiet pursuits and calm enioyments
of private life"
| 1t must not be inferred from this that Mr..
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