Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-09
secretary seward. southern voyage.


From the New Yorx WOrld.l
Although Mr.. Seward is in no high sense
a statesman, he is a politician Of consummate
cunning His voyage through the West
Indies into the South Atlantic, is a master
stroke Of craft He has caused il TO be
trumpeted TO the four winds that this voyage
has no political significance, and we are
bound to believe him ON grounds as unques-
tisnable as those alleged by Cicero, (wh0
was as great wit as orator. when, calling az
the door of a Senator and being told by the
servant that his master was not at home,
replied, with great apparent Rairete, "that
Is certainly true, for ! just overheard him
tell you so" II is given out that this voyage
is undertaken for purely recuperative rea-
sons, Mr. Stewards physician having advised
it We do not doubt that the American
Secretary's physician is a. eomplaisant a.
was the Roman Senator's valet nor have we
any suspicion that this voyage in search OF
health was prompted OF, suggested by Presi-
dent johnson. who Is a straightforward
statesman not addicted to refined artiice
But persons who reflect on Mr.. Stewards
political relations will easily discover that
his health is the handmade Of his hopes.
As an aspirant for the Presidency, Mr.
Seward will be either q competitor with
Chief Justice Chase for the nomination Of
the Republican party, or a competitor with
President johnson for the support of the
whole country. In the present unsettled
state of politics, he does not clearly see
whether Radical or Conservative role will
be most for his advantage; and as he could
not be in Washington, during the present
month, without committing himself to one
side or the other it opportunity happens that
his physician discovers that a voyage to the
South Atlantic is needed for the benefit OF
his health. When Congress comes together
after the holiday vacation, then will be the
tug of war. Within the ensuing two or three
weeks, the lines will be drawn, which are 10
determine the future complexion Of politics.
Were Mr.. Seward to remain in Washington,
the necessities Of his position would compel
him TO take sides. He would naturally be
looked to as the oracle and prompter of the
Conservative Republicans. In such con-
test as is close at hand he could not be neu-
tral and his position in the cabinet would
compel him TO support the President But
10 act this part would effectually estrange
him from the Republican phrty-a party
which he nursed into strength, and which he
has constantly felt owed him its nomination
for the Presidency 1t has been his destiny
to beat the bush for Others 10 catch the bird.
If the Republican party were capable Of
gratitude, Mr.. Seward would still be It's
leader he is naturally unwilling to raise a
hand for the destruction of his own offspring;
especially as he has stronger claims on thu
party than he is ever likely to have on any
other.
When Mr.. Seward returns, the fog in
which the politics of the country are en-
wrapped will have cleared away, and he will
be better prepared 10 choose his side. II he
then sees that he must leave the Cabinet, he
will identify himself with the Republican
party, and go into retirement NJ the profess
ed martyr Of bis principles. But il, on the
other hand, he judges that he has nothing 10
hope from that party, he expects 10 turn this
voyage to account in another way.
Mr.. Seward understood perfectly well that
a voyage in which he would skirt along the
Mexican coast, and probably have an inter
view nj st. ThOmos with Santa Anna, would
occasion great deal of vague speculation
respecting its possible connection with the
empire Of Macmillan. The very disclaim-
ers of any political purpose, which he hiss
caused to be put forth, are calculated 10 sug-
gest the idea. They prove his ready per-
ception Of the Interpretation which the quid-
nuncs would put upon his voyage. Heknows
that he has betrayed the Monroe Doctrine;
he is aware Of President Johnson's fixed de-
termination to support It; and seeing that
the policy Of the government is certain 10
be changed on this subject, he wishes IL 10 be
inferred (iG, on his return, he should take
sides against the Radicals, that the change
was consequence Of his mysterious mission
II. in the struggle Of the next three or four
weeks, the President triumphs over the Rad
icals. he will be ready 20 take bold ground
In defense Of the Monroe Doctrine and II
such an announcement il made just on the
heels Of Mr.. Stewards return, he furtively
supposes that he will be regarded a. the in
strument Of the change, and that by this
means he may retain his place in the Cabi- :
net
IfMr. Seward, on his return, shall Judge
il expedient 10 identify himself with the
Radicals, he will claim no share in President
Johnson's anti-Maximilian policy, and will
stand on his past record. His Mexican
views, in that case, will take their coloring
from those of the Wing party at the time Of
our Mexican war; which was opposed be-
cause il would extend our frontiers South
ward, and give the South greater proper
tomato weight Of the national councils. II
Mr.. Seward keeps 10 his old relations he
will defend his subsequent trucking %
Napoleon on the ground that the success Of
the empire would bar the door TO our fur
ther extension Southwark, and thus pre-
serve the ascendency Of the North in Federal
politics.
This voyage Of Mr.. Seward iS one Of the
most Characteristic and artful things he has
ever done. Ittakeshim away from Washing
ton at a time when he eould not remain
there and retain his present Office, without
using his influence actively against the Rad
Gals in the fight the President has deter
mined 10 make with them, and thus destroy
ing the bridge he has always been careful 10
preserve for retreat 20 his old associations.
In the President triumphs, the great question
next in-order II the Monroe Doctrine, aud
on this Mr. Seward hopes 10 cast his ugly
record into the shade, By causing il 20 be
supposed that his Southern voyage and a.
cret influence inaugurated change Of poll
cy. But a subtle, two-sided stfatagem Of
this sort Is not very likely to succeed.