The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-31
Thn Wnr of the Trnnarresaor.


THR fate meted out to Secretaries Seward and
Welles WILL we hope, be perpetual warning
to all the politicians Of the land-a monument
of what they may expect if they sacrifice
principle TO the temporary possession of Office.
From the highest rank in the country they
have fallen to-day to be the tolerated hangers
on Of an Administration which is likely at any
time to dismiss them from its membership.
The lesson taught is so plainly written that he
who runs can read. II speaks in language
unmistakable, and tells us that public man
in America can only be successful 80 far as
he sternly stands by his prlnoiples. The rise
of statesmen in the United States, and their
continuance in power, depend on other cir
cumstanoes than obtain in Great Britain and
Europe. The personal favoritism and the
combined influences of family connections can
make a man a leader in the Commons and
talent, however brilliant, without favortism,
can have but little hope of competing with the
partiality of the aristocracy. The fate of Pitt
and the success of Fox, the failure of Chat
ham and the continued influence of North, all
show that principle and brains are not the
British nation.
The whole history of American politics,
however, is the reverse. AS steadfast adhe-
renee to the King generally succeeded in
England, so steadfast adherence to the doc
trines first declared is the surest, the only way
to permanently rise in America. Those of our
statesmen who have succeeded in securing a
,,io1 ;,,t To- 81 oh -, l.
tory, have all adopted theory intrinsoally
right, and by holding on to it have risen with
the rise of their doctrines. The shifting and
time-serving have almost invariably failed to
reach the mark for which they aimed, and
the prince of time servers is William H.
Seward.
We see no reason to doubt that the rumors
in regard to his retirement from the Cabinet,
although they are possibly premature,
anticipate the intended action of the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Johnson, with all his madness and
all his folly, is not entirely fool. He knows
that his Cabinet should strengthen his Admin
istration, and that each portfolio should be
held by representative of one class in the
political world, whose interest it is useful to
oeCuTe' huOWLnB Iul6j we Ouly WOuuer why
he has retained Seward and Welles as long as
he has. They represent no one. They have
left their lifelong companions, and stand
alone. The corporals guard which Adams
said surrounded Tyler, is a host compared
with their followers. They do not, within the
United States, have sufficient followers to
elect either of them to the lower house of
State legislature. Separated from all their dsci-
pies, they are only allowed to hold their port
folios through pity, and pity in the heart
of Mr.. Johnson is about as strong a
feeling as gratitude or remembrance of past
pledges. We do not think, therefore, that
they will long head their respective depart
ments. Democrats will succeed them, and
they pass away into private life, with nothing
but record to remind all future statesmen of
the fate in store for desertion of principle.
Surely no better proofs needed of the hardness
Of the way of the transgressor. The only oc-
cupation left to Gov. Seward will be to hurl
anathemas at Presidential ingratitude, and
say with Wolsey:-
Had but served my party
With half the zeal that have served my friend
II would not, In mine old age,
Have lett me naked TO mine enemies"