The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-05

statesman not addicted TO refined artiGce. But
persons who reflect on Mr.. Seward's political
relations VIII easily discover that his health is
the handmaid of his hopes.
AS an aspiranl for the Presidency Mr.. Seward
VIII be either a competitor with UhiefaJustice
Chase for the nomination Of the Republican
nS1ty, or competitor with President Johnson
Tor the support of the whole country. In the
present unsettled state of politics. he does not
clearly see whether a 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 opporunely happens that his
physician discovers that 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 to determine the future CON-
pexion OF politics. Were Mr. Seward to remain
in Washington, the necessities of his position
would compel him to take eldes.
lie would naturally be looked to as the oracle
and prompter of the Conservative Republicans
In such q contest as is close at hand, he could
not be neutral; and his position IN the Cabinet
would compel him to support the President
But TO act this part would effectualy estrange
him from the Republican party---a party which
he nursed into strength, and which he has con-
stantly felt owed him its nomination for the
Presidency. 1t has been his destiny TO beag the
bush for others to catch the bird. II the Repub-
lican party were capable of gratitude, Mr..
Seward would still be its leader; he is naturally
unwilling TO raise hand iov the destruction OF
his own offspring; especially as he has stronger
claims on that 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 wrapped will have
cleared away, anu he will be better prepared to
choose his side. If he then sees that he must
leave the Cabinet, he will identity himself with the
Republican party and go into retirement as the
Irofes,ed martyr of hls principles. But il, on
the other hand, he Judges that he has nothing to
hope from that party, he expects to turn MS
voyage 10 account in another way.
MIR. Seward understood perfectly well that
voyage in which he would skirt along the Mex-
can coast, and probably have an interview at st.
Thomas with Santa Anna, would occasion a
great deal OF vague speculation respecting its
possible connection with the empire of Maxim-
Ian. The very disclaimers of any political pur-
pose, which he has caused to be put forth, are
calculated 10 suggest the idea. They prove his
ready perception OF the Interpretation which the
qmdnuDCs would put upon his voyage. He
knows that he has betrayed the Monroe doctrine
he is aware OF President Johnsons fixed deter
mination to support il; and seeing that the
policy OF the Government is certain to be changed
on this subject, he wishes it to be inferred Gf
on his return, he should take sides against the
Radicals) that the change was consequence Of
his mysterious mission. If, in the struggle of
the next three or four weeks, the President tri-
umphs over the Radicals, he will be ready to
take bold ground in defense OF the Monroe doc
trIne; and if such an announcement is made Just
on the heels o. Mr.. Stewards return, he turtively
supposes that he will he regarded as the iDsLru-
ment OF the change, and that by this means he
may retain his place in the Cabinet.
If Mr.. Seward on his return, shall Judge it
eXpedent to identify himself with the radicals,
he will claim no share in President Johnson's
anti-MaXimilan policy, and will stand ON his
past record. His Mexican views, in that case, will
take their coloring from those of the Whig party
at the time of our Mexican war; which was op-
posed because itwould extend our frontiers south
ward, and give the South greater proportionate
weight in the national councils. If Mr.. Seward
keeps to his old relations, he will defend his sub
serVient trucking to Napoleon on the ground
that the success of the Empire would bar the
door to our further extension southwards, and
thus preserve the ascendancy of the North in
Federal politics.
This voyage of Mr.. Seward is one of the most
Characteristic and artfu things he has ever
done. 1t takes him away from Washington at q
time when he could not remain there and retain
his present Office, without using his influence
actively against the radicals in the fight the
President bas determined TO make with them,
and thus destroying the bridge he has always
been careful to preserve for a retreat to his oil
associations. II the President triumphs, the
great question next in order is the Monroe doc
trine, and on this Mr.. Seward hopes to cast his
ugly record into the shade, by causing it to be
supposed that his Southern voyage and secret
influence inaugurated change Of policy. But
subtle, two-sded stratagem of this sort is not
very likely to succeed.