Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-20
VIM. Ii. Seward.

VIM. II. Seward is now about sixty-two years of
age. He is man Of clear and comprehensive in
tellect learned and able lawyer; erudte schol-
ar and thoroughly versed in all the arts of politi-
cal cEicaneFy and management. In private life, his
conduct is, so far as we know, irreproachable; in
connection with the schemes and movements of par
ty politics, he has been looked upon as selfish
and continuing; subtle in design, INSCRIPTIONS in
acon prepared do and to dare all things necessa
ry to the qualification of his criminal and lawess
ambition.
There is scarcely single one of all the dangerous
political factions which have made their appearance
at different times in the Empire State with which
he has not had more or less connection, from Anti
Masonry to Black RepubliCanism; nor has there
been one of them with which he has been affiliated,
in which he did not become conspicuous plOtter
and iRtrigter. His ambition for power is most in
tense; his temperament is cold to frigidity; he has
never been known to give way for moment to the
generous impulses which sometimes, with ordinary
men, are seen TO scintiate in acts of amiabe levity
or to blaze forth in deeds of startling indiscreton.
lie has been heard in the National Senate. more
than once, to profess that many years had elapsed
since he had been seen to become angry or iTri-
tated, even for moment and that he had been able
so thoroughly TO discipline and control the inner
man. not to be, in the least degree, subject to
feelings CT resentment or Indignation, under Ian
guage of decrial and denunciation, however caus-
tic, or accusations of public delinquency, however
gravely urged. As the Governor of New York,
now almost twenty years ago, he signalized his hos
tity to the Fugitive Slave Law then in force, and
waged a remarkable contest with the then Governor
of Virginia. upon this exciting subject in which he
displayed that earnest desire which has since
actuated him, to obtain high public promotion by
appealing to the anti-slavery feeling of the North
against the South and her domestic institutions.
1t is notorious fact that Mr.. Seward was able,
by his extraordinary address and plausibility far
to captivate the confidence and friendship Of Gen.
TAYLOR that in single month he succeeded in con-
trolling the distribution of official patronage all
over the Republic and especially in the States of the
North and Northwest to the entire notification of
the influence of Mr. Clay, Mr.. Webster, Mr.. Fillmore
ard all the more upright and patriotic members of
the Wing party. It was automatically ascertained,
and roued before the National Senate, that he had
his official spies and agents throughout the North
west for the purpose of finding out and reporting to
him the individuals who, if clad in the robes of of
fee would be most likely to obey his behests and
execute his schemes. When absent from Washing
ton az was also fully established by documentary
testimony he had his Year General in that city TO
make Recommendations, in his name, of persons for
Official position; and these recommendations chiefly
through the potential instrumeptality of the cele-
brated Thomas Ewing then Secretary of the Int
rior, were uniformly obeyed. This condition of
affairs at last became so obnoxious and alarming,
that certain members of the National Senate nclu-
ding several of the most eminent Wing and Demo-
cratic statesmen of the nation, resolved to submit
to 1t no longer.-GdSette.