The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-01
The Era of Statesmen-Mr, Seward and
Mr. Stanton

From The Times
1t is happy circumstance that we have at
length reached time IN the history Of our Go
vernment in which statesmen and organizers
. ppear in public affairs, and continue their
course of duty, despite popular clamor.
There were no "better abused men" IN the
first two years Of our war than Mr.. Seward and
Mr.. Stanton. The scandals that circulated
against the Secretary of War could not be num-
bered He was crazy; he insulted all his friends;
he was bloodthirsty radical, tyrannical Ro-
bespierre; he knew nothing OF war or its organi-
ZatIon; he carried the prejudices OF political life
into the service of his country; he ''worshipped
the negro" and violated the freedom of the
whites by imprisonIng contractors
No one could get on with him; he must leave
his place, or the national cause be ruined. De-
putation after deputation individual after indivi
dual, waited on the President to beg him to re-
move him. But Mr. Lincoln saw that he had
the right man in the right place. Mr.. Stanton
remained Indifferent to the popular clamor. He
had his own plans, and was determined to exc
cute them. A few friends continued constant 20
him; and of two things no enemy ever ventured
to accuse him-frst, of the slightest suspicion
of peculaton, though he was handling some five
hundred millions year; and secondly, OF any
indifference to the hapiess sufferer from the war,
the unfortunate slave. He persevered in his
Office, and aimed at distant effects, not present
populaIity-at duty, not applause.
The result has been military administration
which will be the admiration OF all time for its
organization, and to whose wonderful efficiency
the Republic almost owes it's salvation. Mr..
Stanton has been seen to accomplish what no
military leader in Great Britain conld accom-
plish in the Crimean war, with much smaller
force and under much fewer obstacles, the per-
feet equipment, supply and transportation 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 elevated
to the head OF powerful military bureau. All
men see now his wonderful capacities for his
task
His very faults aided him. HIS impatient
energy subdued all obstacles; his bruSqueneSS
was needed for meddlesome intruders, and his
arbitrary treatment OF dishonest contractors
was the only thing which could check the
terrible ana increasing disease of public cor
rupdon.
Mr.. Seward again was the centre of more
abuse, and scandal, and attack, than any other
men oil the day, except Mr.. Lincoln himself He
was negotiating with the South he was indit-
terent to freedom; he was trucking to Europe;
lie had no earnestness in the contest; he was
given up to intoxication, and had lost his wits.
Ii he continued to guide our foreign 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 10 him; he
was entreated to resign and many most patriotic
citizens believed him to be the source OF all oul
misfOrtunes. We do not propose to defend o.
excuse all Mr.. Stewards sayings, or every mea
sure Of his diplomacy. Some OF his proceeding
towards European powers we should have d.
sired to have seen otherwise; but we submit nov
to all reasonable persons that, Judging Mr.. Sew
ards foreign policy by its fruits. it has been pre-
eminently sucCe Cessiul.
Possibly something of its success may hav
been due TO accident, TO the jealousy OF Euro
pean powers OF one another, and to the reyolu
tionary fire and prodigious energy shown b.
our own people. This may be, and yet the resul
remains that IN the great opportunity of man
centuries Tor our rivals and enemies in Europ
TO strike us a weakening and damaging blow