Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1871-10-27
S E WAR D.
interview with the Ex-Secretary-Sew
on Foreign and Domestic Affairs.

interview with the EN.secretary-sewar
on Foreign and Domestic Affairs.
From an interview between MIR. Seward |
aud q New York Herald reporter we extract |
as follows:
The famous Secretary is physically but
wreck ofhs former self though he yet re-
tans much Of that mental vigor which made |
him one Of the heroes in our great strife for
national existence. His eyes still reflect the |
light of giant intellect his face is almost |
forid with health. In fact the tour around |
the world seems to have greatly benefited |
him.
your interview with the Mkado of ia
pan must have been very interesting. How
was it brought about?'
"'rhe Prime Minister Of Japan asked me
to name the day and hour when | wished to
see the MikadO As a higher mark Of dis
tnclion was granted private audience
q favor which had never before been con-
ierred upon any foreign representative. l
was accompanied by our Minister Mr.. De
Long. We first called on the Prime Minis
ter Of Japan, who conducted us to the sum-
mer house, where we were sumptuously en-
tertained Then we walked through sever
al gardens, past several villas, TO the last
summer house, where the Mikado, as a spe-
cial honor, had come to receive us, for he
never leaves his palace for such purpose.
lie was dressed in dazzling splendor, and
surrounded by his court The Mikado is q
young man of twenty-five. lie does not APP
pear to be an extraordinary genius, nor does
he look insignificant. lie is intelligent,and
seems I o be perfectly conscious Of the dig
nifty of his position. The presentation was
in This manner. The Prime Minister took
sheet Of paper, wrote something on it and
presented ii to the Mikado, who touched it
with his wand or sceptre. The interpreter
then translated it-"Salutaton to the Min
lister of tho United States" Mr.. De Long
then introduced me TO The Mikado, and his
words were translated by the same interpre-
ter, written on another sheet of paper and
handed to the Emperor. The rest of the
conversation was carried on in the same
manner. The Mikado made some llattering
remarks about the American nation, and
told the Minister to confer with me, as one
who had great experience Of government
and would give them valuable information
in many things. And l did have several
conferences with the Prime Minister, whom
found to be man OF liberal ideas"
81 suppose, Mr.. Seward, your interview
with the Sultan was equally interesting. Did
he have anything to say against the Khed-
ive?"
mo, the Sultan is not given to person
alites. lie is conscientious and well-inten-
toned. lie was very amiable 10 me. 0l
course he is not so far advanced in his ideas
as the Khedye. But in Egypt there is q
personal government. 1t is the Khedive
who rules absolutely, while in Turkey it is
the Ministry ofthe Sultan that is the ruling
power"
what is your opinion about President
1hiers, whom we heard you visited at Yer
salllesY
81 think NJ. Thiers is a man Of wonderful
activity for his age. l dined with him th'
day his powers were prolonged as Presiden
of the Republic He told me that he con-
sidered it a happy augury that l should b,
present at the celebration of the high homo
which had been conferred upon him. D
course he was guarded in all his converse
ton regarding the Government. As tn
President Of the French Republic he coul,
not appear to favor monarchy, and be
lieve that he will give the Republic fai
trial--the best trial it ever had; and l ais
have strong hopes that Republic will b
the ultimate government of France"
Mr.. Seward was eulogistic on almost ever
subject that came up during the converse
tion. On his arrival at his home in Aubur
he said he will have completed his crcl
round the world, Auburn having been h
starting point. He has travelled 425 day
at the average rate of so miles day. ii
further remarked:-"Americaus are now III
fashion all over the world. No represents
tive of a nation was ever received with sue
high honors as l have been IN the East, an
and have yet TO find the country whel
Americans are not liked"
Coming to subjects nearer home l star
led him with the abrupt question:
"Mr. Seward would you care to be Pres
dent of the United States2"
81 cannot speak with propriety upon tn
subject. | am not ambitious. l shall tal
my rest now and retire for while from pI
itics. have already had my full share
honors."
"Many people doubt that Grant will
reelected"
at is rather premature to say that. Il
wisest philosopher can only tell what sort
weather we shall have to-day--he canr
hazard any such prediction for next wee
At the very latest moment all speculate
may be falsifed We cannot penetrate
designs of Providence"
"rhen the election of President Grant
in the hands Of Providence mot in the haI
Of the electors2"
"What l mean to say is that the desil
ofProvidence are fulfilled, independently
the wishes Of men,"
"When in England did you read, sir,ab
the Tammany frauds?"
81 did not. l heard Of them for the
time yesterday"
80 you are not aware, l suppose,
there is split in the Republican party,
that the mutual ordinations and recrim
tions are the order Of the dayl The M
phyites or Conkling men charge that
Greeley did all the mischief"
al never knew Mr. Greeley to make u
chief" (in irony)
In the course Of our conversation l b
pened to say:
"A few days ago l read story in a nj
ing paper TO the effect that President g
was interested in a stone quarrg in Nj
land l believe the same paper asse
that the President had received as a
5000 worth of shares, and through
influence the company is said to be reali
enormous profits, because Gil the pit