The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1872-10-25
lFrom the Boston Post.
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.

been laboring under severe and COM
plicated disorders for many years,
which would have long ago over
thrown a person Of more than the
average constitution, and which it is
simply wonderful that even man of
the extraordinary vitality of Mr..
Seward could have withstood so per~
,inacious, at his advanced period of
life. Mr., Seward had been so long
and constantly identified with Amer
lean politics, and had but so recent
Is severed his connection herewith,
that his death seems to leave va
cum in the body polite which no
one else could so easily and ably fill.
In points OF fact, however, his public
work was finished some years ago,
and he belonged to a past generation
of statesmen and politicians, Of which
he was almost the last, as he was the
most conspicuous remaining repre-,
sentative.
William Henry Seward WAS born
in Florida, Orange county, New
York, May rs, 1901, His father
was physician of good standing, and
treatment man in the county.
William, when fifteen years Of age,
went to Union College, and gradua
ted in 1919 In the same year, he
vent to Georgia as teacher, and re-
manned there few months. While
there he imbibed his first repugnance
for slavery, which ever afterward
chung to him one of the foremost an
ti-slavery leaders. Returning to
New York, young Seward studied
law, and was soon admitted to the
bar. In 1923 he removed to Au-
burn, which was destined to be ever
afterward his home. There he en-
tered into law partnership with
Judge Miller, and in 1924 married
Miss. Miller, his daughter. In the
same year the aspiring lawyer vaul-
ted into public notice with politi-
cal article denouncing the "Albany
Regency" as the leaders of the New
York Democracy were then called.
The next year saw Seward mounting
the forum at Syracuse and delivering
his first political speech, in the same
vein. In 1928 he was selected to
preside over 8 Young Mems State
Convention, called in the interest Of
John Quincy Adams, and two years
later he received an election to the
State Senate on the ants Mason tick
ct. In 1888 he made his first visit
to Europe, and on his return, after a
rapid tour of the continent, publish
ed an account of his observations in
the Albany Journal. In 1884 he
was nominated for Governor by the
Wings, but was defeated by Mr..
Marcy. In 1888, however, he turn
ed the tables, and, after very warm
contest, succeeded in defeating his
former competitor by majority of
10000.
1t is undoubtedly true that Mr..
Seward was one of the most notable
Governors on the very notable list
to which N. Y refers with pardon
able pride. He entered Office amid
many financial and other difficulties,
but was successful in overcoming
them. Many new, important and
salutary measures were also initiated
under his advice and supervision.
He held the Governorship for two
terms, and declined third candida
cy. On retiring from office he re-
sumed the practice of the law, and
was retained in several cases Of ma
tioual celebrity, gaining thereby a
wide spread reputation as an advo-
cate. In 1914, Mr.. Seward entered
theoretically into the lists for Henry
Clay, and again, in lS4S, for Zach
airy Taylor. Soon after the election
of Taylor, Mr.. Seward was elected
to the United States Senate, where
he served continuously from l849 tn
1861. This was a period of cease
less acti> ity on his part. lie at once
began a crusade against slavery
which did not terminate until the in
stitution was abolished. His speech
es on the admission of California, on
the Compromise Of 1850, on the Pa
cific Railroad, on the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise and the admis-
sion of Kansas, on the bred Scott de-
cision and on the ''Irrepressible Con-
flict," are but few of the many
which occupy prominent place in
the annals of the period.
1t is undeniable that Mr.. Seward
aimed for the Presidency, and, like
many other distinguished public men
was disappointed. His disappoint
ment occurred at Chicago in 1860,
where he led on the first ballot by
seventy votes, but was finally beat
en- by Abraham Lincoln. He enter.
ed Into the canvass with vigor, new
ertheless, and was rewarded with
Secretaryship of State. What he
accomplished in that position is well
! known. In one sense of the phrase
he was always the power behind the
throne, in both Lincoln and John-
sons Administration. His attempt
ed assassination iu April, 1868, was
recovered from 10y the sheerest ef-
fort of the will, aided by his tremen-
dous vitality; but he never *holly
overcome its effects. since 1869