The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-05-07
Infanny's Reward.

Infamy's Reward.
CFrom the Greensboro, (Ga.) Herald. ]
'.Pky the sorrows Of poor old man,
Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your door,
A faithful biography of William
H, Seward would be : solemn warn
ing to all young politicians, never
to let personal ambition cause them
to sacrifice, and also teach them
that in politics as we'll as trade,
honesty is the best policy. The
termination of Andrew Jobnson's
administration closes the public
career Of w. 81. Seward, he who
once saw the time, when if he had
taken it at the food would have led
to fortune, but alas he suffered
the opportunity to pass, and al
though he ''yet lives" his little
bell has uttered its last sound
Born pecuniarily, poor, yet rich in
mental qualifications, William H.
Seward received in the public
schools of New York city, = liberal
education. and after graduating at
Union College, he started for the
South with but a small portion of
this worlds goods. Footsore. and
weary. with all his fortune in bun
die on his back, he called Ut the
mansion of Col. Alexander, in Put
nam county, Georgia, to ask for .
nights lodging. He was welcomed
to this good old mans house, and
bis wanderings brought to an end.
He informed Col. Alexander. that
he was in search Of . place wherein
he could procure patronage as =
school teacher; that he was fully
competent, depended on bis own ex-
ertions, and would faithfully dis
charge his duties. This was en-
ough for Col. Alexander. the school
was at once furnished him, and be
was installed as a member of the
Colonel's family. For eighteen
months or two years, Seward faith.
fully discharged his duties and in
the meantime studied his profess
sion Of law. With the means thus
accumulated, he, after returning
many thanks to Col. Alexander for
kindness. returned to Albany, New
York, and commenced the practice
Of law. In IN incredibly short
space Of time we find him, not only
at the head of his profession. hut
one Of the foremost statesmen Of
the old Wing party, and successful
ly canvassing his native State fer
Gubernatorial honors, against the
Democratic veteran, William l..
Marcy. But Seward was not
satisfied; be wished to be elected
President of the United States, and
made up his mind to win the goal
by fair means, If he could, but If
not, then by foul. Here the warm
ed viper turned and plunged his
fangs in the bosom of bis preserver.
William H. Seward became an
open Abolitionist. and notwith-
standing Col. Alexander 8 kindness,
and the liberal welcome and patron
age Of the Southern people, there
was no insult too gross for him to
offer them. This was his first
downward step. Next, his COM
bination with Greeley and Weed,
was noted for his dishonesty and
corruption, and here he lost the
confidence Of copartners, and Of bis
party. None doubted his talents.
while all feared bis influence. He
inaugursted the ''Irrspressible Con-
fict," rs, . steeping-stone to the
Presidency. By the management
Of Greeley. Weed & Co.. be WAS
defeated, and Abraham Lincoln re-
ceived the nomination. He was
now in old years, and this Was bis
last chance. He failed, and his
feelings became embittered against
the world, but partioul srly against
his own party. He often openly
asserted that his self respect would
prevent him from holding Office uu-.
der Mr.. Lincoln, yet Is soon - it
was rendered him. by way Of COM.
pliment. he accepted, not with
view Of assisting Mr.. Lincoln, but
to disgrace his administration. The
result is before The couptry--Abra-
ham Lincoln was ASA ssinated. An
drew johnson was thereby made
President, and william H. Seward
was retained in his Cabinet. When
retiring from office. Mr.; johnson
remarked to some friends who cal
led on him, "'the public knows bnt
little Of the diff suites with which
I have had to contend, Seward lied
to me to the last. !" Thus the miscr-
able old man retires from = long
life Of public service. "unwept, un-
honored and unsung." May it
prove warning to other politi-
CLANS. ..rf
Grants method oftmaking tres
son odious. is fast making him in
famous among the soldiers, many
~ vhnrn want throuvh the cam.