The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-10-17

L
the office OF Governor of the Empire State.
Among the first measures to which he in
vited public attention and recommended,
were the extension of public education,
the vigorous prosecution of the publiL
works, including the enlargement of the
Erie Canal, and the removal of the legal
disabilities imposed Cd foreigners. His
policy, though violently opposed at the
time, was afterwards substantially adopt
led. Early in his ad administration, a contro
versy sprung up between him and the Gov
ernor of Virginia, in relation to slavery
and the rendition of fugitives from justice.
The case arose on the application OF the
Executive of Virginia, for the return Of
two seamen, charged with abducting
slaves. Gov. SEWARD maintained that no
State could force requisition upon an
other State, founded on an act which was
only criminal by its own legislation, and
which, compared with general standards,
was not only innocent but praiseworthy.
This correspondence created sensation
in the country, and was widely published.
In it, Gov. SEWARD establisheda eharac-
ter for ability of the highest order, which
he sustained in all after life. He held
the office of Governor for two terms, and
peremptorily declined a nomination in
| 1842, for third time. -aal uuss
On retiring from Office, he entered upon
an extensive practice of the law, which,
from the courts of hls sWn State, extended
rapidly to the courts of other states, and
to the United States courts. He was an
ardent admirer of Henry Clay, and in the
contest OF 1914, he entered upon it with
great energy, and was a most effective
speaker during that memorable campaign.
In 1S49, MIR. SEWARD was elected United
States Senator, receiving in the Legisla-
ture 121 votes to 80 for all others He
went into the Senate as strong auti-sla-
very man, and maintained boldly his
principles He early avowed his deter
mination to make no further concessions ,
to the slave power, and was denounced as
a seditious and dangerous agitator In
March 1850, in speech on the admission
of California into the Unien, Mr. SEWARD
used the following language: sit is true,
indeed, that the national domain is ours.
1t true,lt was acquired by the valor and
with the wealth of The whole nation But
we bold nevertheless, no arbitrary power
over it. We hold no arbitrary authority
over anything, whotheracquire lawfully
QQ1ZQ0 "
ton regulates our stewardship; and the
Constitution devotes the domain to Union,
to justice, to defence, to welfare, and to
liberty. But there is higher law than
the Constitution, which regulates our au
thority over the domain, and devotes it
to the same noble purpose. The territory
Is part no incensiderable part of the
common heritage of mankind, bestowed
upon them by the Creator of the Universe
We are his stewards and must SO discharge
our trust as to secure in the highest at
tainable degree, their happiness" This
was the origin of the term "higher law"
which has been urged against Mr. SEW
ARD by his enemies, as ground of re-
proach. In 1855, Mr.. SEWARD made a
speech in Rochester, in which he alluded
to the constant collision between free and
slave labor in the United States, and said
"Shall tell you what this collision meant?
They who think that it is accidental, un-
necessary, the work of interested or fanat-
ical agitators and therefore ephemeral.
mistake the case altogether. 1t is an ir-l
repressible conflict between the opposing
and enduring forces and it means that
the United States must and will, sooner
or later, become either entirely slave
holding nation, or entirely free labor
nation" He lived to see his prediction
verified, and to behold the United States
a ''tree labor nation"
In i860-61, when secession began to re-
veal itself, Mr.. SEWARD made lengthy
speech, in which he used the following
strong language: 81 avow my adherence
to the Union with my friends, with my
party, with my State, or without elther,as
they may determine; in every event of
peace or war, with every consequence of
honor or dishonor, of life or of death y
and in conclusion he s&id: 81 certainly
shall never, directly or indirectly, give
my vote to establish or sanction slavery
in the common territories of the United
States, or anywhere else in the world"
In 1850, Mr.. SEWARD was presented to
the National Convention, as a candidate
for the Presidency and nv man ever went
before convention backed by ADLER or
warmer friends, than he did at that time.
Owing to combination of circumstances,
he was beaten in the nomination, and
Abraham Lincoln was made the candidate.
Mr.. SEWARD was disappointed, of course;
but he was not disheartened nor soured.
He entered heartily into the campaign, to
secure the election of his successful rival,
and made series of speeches in the
Western States, that for craftsmanship
and ability are equal to any campaign