The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-10-24
The Late w. II. Seward.


We find in the New York World what VI
regard just, truthful and discriminatin.
analysis of the character of this eminent citi
zen of New York.
The World very properly holds that Mr.
Seward must always be regarded as the lead
ing figure in what may be called the anti
slavery of our politics. He was indeed the
author of the Republican party. Up to 1860
when Mr.. Lincoln was nominated, Mr.. Sew.
ard stood out in bold relief as the central
figure among those who composed the leaders
of the new organization. The World re.
marks:
When the party. he had created and led
got possession of the Government, and for
midablc civil war loomcd up as the conse-
quence, he stood aghast at his own work,
and made what we have no doubt was sin.
cere effort to avert the calamity. His cele-
brated Cancellation speech in the Senate in
the winter Of 1s6O-?61, though able and
solid in argument, had no practical effect
1t was futile attempt to stem current to
which he had given fatal impetus. Al
though he had sort of sympathy with the
anti-slavery movement he did not share its
fanaticism. He found it was much easier to
kindlc conaagration than to stay its rava-
ges We have no doubt he had more sincerity
in trying to check it, than he had in playing
with fire for party effect. But the mischief
had got beyond his control. He did his
best to prevent the attempt to reinforce Sum.
ter, an attempt which precipitated the war
but he had raised demon which was too
mighty to obey his bidding. The which he
deprecated war came in spite Of him, and he
was losing his hold as leader in trying to
avert it. He was afterwards swept along
by his party, like a chip on the CURRENT
The greatest blot on his reputation is his
forwardness to use arbitrary power as the
contest odvanced, and his disgraceful boast
that by ringing his "little belP' he could inl-
murc any citizen in political dungeon
That indecent boast proved that he never
had any rooted love of popular liberty, and
that he had no title to be considered states
man in any high sense. The fact that after
Mr.. Lincoln's assassination he supported the
policy of Andrew johnson would have been
credtable, fhe had not previously demon.
stratcd his inability to act from such motives
as would bear close moral scrutiny. The
upshot was that he forfeited the confidence
of Republicans: and never gained the conf
dence of Democrats.
1t is impossible to bestow any great ad-
miration on Mr.. Stewards moral qualities.
He was mere politician, acting always
from supposed expediency rather than from
principle Had his intellectual abilities been
less, he would have ranked as trickster
Still he had some excellent qualities. No
man had greater sense of fidelity to friends
and political associates, or was more ready
to oblige them. But this virtue had its al
10y. His willingness to promote the interest
of his friends sometimes led him to connive
at their questionable pecuniary schemes,
and although free from any taint of personal
corruption he had large following of lob
byi:ts and adventures, whose hopes of gain
he never thwarted. 1t was the handle of his
rivals and enemies made of these question
able associations that defeated his nomination
at Chicago in 1860. His social instinct was
strong, and had uncommon dexterity in man.
aging men.
His intellect was rather active and adroit
than powerful, rs his moral nature was ra-
ther facile than deep and steady. His elo.
quence was diffusc, lacking the condensed
energy and moral earnestness which made
Mr.. Calhoun so convincing, and the apt
propriety of diction and masculine force of
statement which made Mr.. Webster the first
of onr orators. Mr.. Seward was always clear,
sometimes cogent, and occasionally, by sort
of jaunty boldness, he succeeded in throwing
out pointed phase which so exactly gave
the pith of pending controversy, that it be-
came historical by constant repetition. But
none of his speeches will be read by the
next generation, and most Of them are for
gotten already. He was in no sense great
man; but he was willy, dexterous and plausible;
and acting distinguished part in the mighty
controversies and tremendous crisis, he
will always be regarded as the leading states
man of period more fruitful in great events
than in statesmaulike penetration and vigor-
Gus abilities.