The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-01-25
From the ". Y Times.
The Era of Statesmen---hdr. Seward and
Mr.. Stanton.

! continue their course of duty despite
r public clamor.
There was no "better abused men" in
the first two years of our war than Mr.
Seward and Mr. Stanton. The scandals
f, that circulated against the Secretary OF
, War could not be numbered. He was
, crazy he insulted all his friends; he was
a blood thirsty radical, a tyranical Robes
pierre; be knew nothing of war or its or
ganization he carried the prejudices of
political life into the service of his coun-
try he ''worshipped the negro and vi
olated the freedom of the whites by i'm
prisoniug contractors. No one could get
on with him he must leave bis place or
the national cause be ruined. Deputa-
tion after deputation. individual after in
dividual waited on the President to beg
him to remove him. But Mr.. Lincoln
saw that he had the right man in the
right place Mr.. Stanton remained in
different to the popular clamor. He had
his own plans, aud was determined to ex-
ecute them. A few friends continued
constant to him and of two things no
enemy ever ventured TO accuse him-frst,
of the slightest suspicion of speculation
though he was handling some five hun
dred millions year and secondly, of
any Indifference to the hapless sufferer
from the war, the unfortunate slave. He
persevered in his Office, and aimed at dis
tant effects, not present popularity-at
duty, not applause.
The result has been military admin
istration which will be the admiration of
all time for its organization, and to whose
wonderful efficiency the Republic almost
owes its salvation Mr.. Stanton has been
seen to accomplish what no military lea
der in Great Britain could accomplish in
the Crimean war with much smaller
| force and under much fewer obstacles,
the perfect equipment, supply and trans
portation of great masses OF men over vast
spaces. Napoleon himself, with two thirds
OF Europe to draw from, did not effect so
much, so speedily and with such perfect
organization of immense armies, as did
this Pennsylvania lawyer suddenly eleva-
ted to the head CT powerful military
bureau. All men see now his wonderful
capacities for his task
His very faults aided him, His impa-
tient energy subdued all obstacles his
Jrusqueness was needed for meddlesome
intruders, and his arbitrary treatment OF
dishonest contractors was the only thing
which checked the terrible and increas-
ing disease Of public corruption.
Mr.. Seward again was the centre of
more abuse and scandal and attack than
any other man of the day, except Mr..
Lincoln himself. He was negotiating
with the South; he was Indifferent to
freedom he was trucking to Europe; he
had no earnestness in the contest he was
given up to intoxcation, and had lost his
wits. If he continued to guide our for
eign relations, we should have all Europe
Joining with the South
The President was besought again and
again to remove him some Of the most
prominent men OF his own party opposed
themselves to him; he was entreated to
resign, and many most patriotic citizens
believed him to be the source of all our
misfortunes. We do not propose to de-
feud or excuse all Mr. Stewards sayings,
or every measure of his di plomacy Some
of his proceedings toward European pow
ers we should have desired to have seen
otherwise but we submit now to all rea-
sonable persons that, judging MIR. Sew
ards foreign policy by its fruits, it has
been pre- eminently successful.
Do.,Jl L., .,aoo., .,,,x,
have been due to accident, to the jealousy
of European Powers of one another, and
to the revolutionary fire and prodigious
energy shown by our people. This may
be, and yet the result remains that in the
great opportunity of many centuries for
our rivals and enemies in Europe to strike
us weakening and damaging blow, in
the midst Of the most perilous and con-
/ fiicting questions, with constantly occur
ring provocations and unwise acts OF sub
ordinates, no opportunity or temptation
was offered by our Government for for
eign interference, and not break of
/ friendly relations occurred with any Eu-
ropean Power. If such result be not
evidence of wise craftsmanship, we know
not what proof can be offered of it. BY
some means or other, England and France
never were presented with the chance
which they would so gladly have embraced
of interfering to break up the Union and
make the United States second-rate
power 1t is true that some steps of Mr..
Stewards policy have been less bold and
less confident in the assertion of principle
than we would have preferred. Still the
result justifes his caution. II he had
yielded to clamor, or if Mr.. Lincoln had
put in his place more headstrong man,
we might now be plunged in war with
half the world.
Mr.. Stewards name will 60 down-not
as of a man who could well forecast the
whole struggle, or who fully understood
its beariDg-but as Of prudent and self
contained statesman, who never let pres
ent effect and popularity turn him from
what be believed would be for the per-
manent benefit Of the country. Both OF
y Al l. -, o,r o,y;l NOR chou tho