Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-08
ITr Ssward's Movements.


Il T. ,r. Of the Inconvenience of greatness
hat those who attain it cannot take step in
any direction without being observed by a
,b,p,aud ewes, and without being criticised by
, thousand tongues. Mr.. SEWARD i, now eX-
oerieucing this Inconvenience. He has started
on a voyage to the West Indies, giving cat that
il is undertaken by the advice of his physician,
and for the benefit of his health. BY singular
coincidence his son AMI Assistant Secretary Of
State accompanies him with the same ostenSl-
bic object. Scarcely has the vessel which
bears them left our shores before the q"'"
a,pcS begin to speculate as to the real oolee'S
,f This oueer VOYAGE. Mr.. SEWARD is so iden-
rifed with politics, that the public cannot dis
connect him from them. His personality Is
completely merged in his political character.
He is regarded as a being who can take no step
that has not political significance. lie has
cen so long a diplomatist, that every move
ment he makes is regarded as dodge, and
every word he utterS as an oracle requiring in
depreciation. Some of the Northern nowspa-
pers altogether reject and discredit the reason
asSigned-that his health requires the voyage.
they call it a mere pretext and blind. Some
Surmise that he, having 4 prudent regard to
his future Presidential pretensions, abSentS
himself to avoid connection with the SquabbleS
that were anticipated by him, as well as by
others less shrewd, as consequent upon the re-
assembling Of Congress. y man so conspicu-
Gus as the Secretary of State, and sustaining
such close relations to the Republican orgam-
lation. couId not keep aloof from old associa-
,iops when vital differences were impending, If
On the spot. lie may be called the Father Of
the Republican party, he is looked up TO as the
leader Of leaders, and guide, counsellor and
friend to all bearing the name Of Republican.
lie could not act in the three-fold character OF
adviser to the Radicals, adviser to the Conser-
yatiyes, and adviser to the President, without
detection aud exposure, and by allying himself
with either, he would give offence TO the
others. 1t is shrewIly coniectured by some Of
the wiseacres of the New York press, that to
get rid Of these complications, to Shirk all re-
sponsibilities, and to avoid all hazards to his
future Presidential prospects, he has embarked
upon this voyage.
Other surmises are, that the Mexican ques-
ton is at the bottom Of it, and that he will
touch at the island of st. Thomas, the resi-
dence Of SANTA ANNA, to hold a conference
with him on the subject Of Mexican affairs.
One of the newspapers, surprising all others
in audacity OF speculation, Supposcs that a
scheme is on foot, originating with Mr.. Sc
WARD, looking to a pacific settlement Of the
Mexican question on the basis OF cesSSion by
MAxruLIAN to the United States Of certain of
the Mexican States, from which his troops are
already withdrawn. This stroke Of policy, it
IS argued, is intended to take the wind out Of
General GRANTS sails, who, it is understood,
proposes to abandon diplomacy and cut the
Mexican knot violently with the sword.
We know nothing whatever on the subject
and few we presume do. Like everybody else,
we are inclined to think that the Secretary's
voyage is not altogether of a personal char
Jctcr. II will be profitable voyage if it eu-
y5les him to accomplish the three objects
sscrjbcd to him-;hc improvement OF hiS health,
hi, separation from the controversies now pre-
voiliug in his party, and the peaceful settle
u,pt of the Franco-Mexican question. Mr.
SEWARD is not the man to take a step in any
direction, certainly to depart from his routine,
without an adequate motive, nor is he the man
TO give the real motive that governs him.