The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-15
MIR. SEWARD AT HONE.
Curiosity 10 Know Something About His
Political vicws--He Cannot Consistently
Support Scym0ur-The Secretary's Reply to
Mr.. Burlnname's Sentiment.

Curiosity 10 Know Something About His
Political vicws-He Cannot Consistently
Support SeymOwr-,The Secretary's Reply to
Mr.. Burlinzame's Sentiment.
AUBURN, N. Y. August IL, 1858.
Certainly no qualification is more pleasing than
that which springs from realization OF those social
pleasures which the result either OF eminence In
the walks OF public SERVICE or personal werth in the
more limited sphere OF domestic life. These the
rewards which attend those who merit them and
give their relations with mankind cast which IL is
genuine happiness to contemplate and ENJOY The
visit OF the Chinese to this hospitabe city ch0A
acterized by unanimity which was as natterin
the esteem in which the Secretary OF State, -
Seward, Is held by his fellow citizens, as 1t was
gratifying to the Embassy. 1t IL not sur
prisng that hs home visits are looked forward
to by the Secretary with so much pleasure, and
joyed with 80 much genuine interest. The private
life Of the Secretary is directly the opposite Of the
forms igdly observed by him In his Official life
at the national capital There 1t is only through the
forms of etiquette, to which, as is well known he so
closely adheres that he Is at all accessible. Here
the bumblest citizen feels 1t his duty to pay him the
courtesy OF VISIT and is received the same spirit
IN which the visit ia given. The Secretary has en-
deared himself to the aborng classes OF his city by
dividing or large portion Of hts unoccuped estate
into lots ana advancing money TO the mechanic to
assist him In building home, allowing ten years in
which to pay or the amount This generous enter
PRISE besides attaching about the Secretary an a.
most universal popularity at home, has also been OF
In view OF this relation to the people the Secretary
asmight be supposed Is looked upon specially as the
oracle OF this vicinity and upon the approach OF any
great election he IL expected TO say inetnng about
the important political questions before the country.
now the people In this section anticipate these eluc
dations OF the topics Of national discussion relating
to governmental administration, naances or social
questions. This being the case, Mr.. seward Is hardly
any more out5poxen regarding politics TO his most
intimate friends than he ready 70 communicate his
knowledge Of diplomatic seer 70. Upon any 9th n
subject the visitor to HIS home here nnds him unusu-
ally communicative. displaying In his conversation
For a month past, both at Washington and here,
the secretary has been receiving a great many let.
ters designed to get out Of him some expression OF
proposes TO adhere to his usual rule and mike any
speeches. But to these he has invariably returned
no aSSwss Mer nrer anu exeeou 10Y appoet
nity TO make a move upon the secretary.
CIrIzES-I think, MT. Secretary, the coming po-
lcai campaign will not he rs exciting as anticipated
The SECRETARY, giving sort OF conyuis.ye motion
to his entire body, looked up and romarkedTnat ID
y s sah s sy e9sns weer the
will be exciting or not.
CITIzES-That Is very true but 1t Is quite natural
to look ahead and anticipate matters
The sEcsETARY-Then you ought TO know more
about that than 1 do, as you have more extensive
y,
perhaps you might give me some Information on
that subject.
one way, when 1t comes down to the question upon
determining what line OF policy shall regulate the
administration OF the government for the next four
years. What do you think OF that,
The SECRETARY with a diplomatic smilc--That Is
something for me 10 know and for you To find out
believe In keeping such matters secret.
CITIzES-so do !; but the country expects TO hear
from YOU what you say Will be read by great mass
OF the people.
MT. sgwARD-Then the people will have 20 wait,
aud when say anything, II have anything to say,
they will have q chance to know what Il Ia.
THIS diplomatic exchange Of attacks and parties,
showing no signs OF taking turn In the right direc-
ton, was necessarily diverted into another channel.
Although the secretary was quite willing to talk the
conversation was oil precisely such character AZ you
might expect to hear between The representatives OF
two rival g0vernments-a great deal OF talk and yet
nothing said. Tue nearest approximation OF the
point was whether ne would support Grant or Sey.
m0ur. To this he remarked-'i do not know how
you could AJAX such question. don't think could
very consistently support Seymour but further
nothing was said, aud whether he Will support Grant
words are concerned.
IL 10 understood from several parties who are on
Intimate terms with Mr. seward that he Ia for Grant,
and one says he contemplates making six speeches
In the interest Of the republican party. Judging
from the drift and manner of his conversation Il
would eeem that he intends saying something,
whether " he one or six speeches. and, IA he cannot
very consistently support Seymour, the Inference Is
- -S.VVsss repuDncansm or talk and say