Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-11-05
Character Of Abraham Lincoln.
ny non. GIDEON wELLEs.

1t is to be regretted that Mr.. Charles
L. Adams, in his Memorial Address on
the Life, Character, and Services Of Viii
liam H. Seward" should have permitted
himself to do injustice to Abraham Lin
coin. Any attempt to canonize Mr.. Se-
ward by detracting from the merits Of his
chief, weakens the encomiums bestowed.
Mr.. Adams has claims to consideration by
reason Of his talents, requirements, social
position, and public service but his esti-
mate of the character, capacity, executive
ability, and relative position of the Chief
Magistrate and his Secretary Of State, be-
trays want of just discrimination and cor
rect knowledge of each. A greater error
could scarcely be committed than to repre-
sent that Mr.. Lincoln =" had to deal with
superior intellectual power when he came
in contact with Mr.. Seward. The reverse
was the fact In mere scholastic acquire
ments, Mr.. Seward, never learned man"
may have had the advantage. though in
this respect there was less difference than
is generally supposed while in breath of
philosophical experience and the force Of
moral discipline" the almost self-taught and
reflective mind Of Mr.. Lincoln, which sur
mounted difficulties and disadvantages that
his Secretary never knew, conspicuously
exceled. In the executive council and in
measures of administration the Secretary
had influence, not always happily exercised,
but the President was the master mind, 1t
is empty panegyric to speak Of the Secreta-
ry Of State as chief, or say his suggestions,
save in his own department, were more re-
garded or had even greater influence than
those Of others. His restless activity, un-
ceasing labors, showy manifestations, and
somewhat uncautious exercise Of question
able authority, which the President deemed
it impoitic to disavow, led to the impress
ion, which Mr.. Adams seems also to have
imbibed that the subordinate was the prin-
cipal, aud have induced him, to use his own
words, to award to one honors that clear
ly belong to another
Far be it from me to derogate in the
least from the merits and services Of Mr..
Seward, for was a witness to his assiduity,
and to some extent participant and coad-
tutor with him in the labors and trials that
the administration encountered in those
"troublous times" But it was not necessary
in stating his merits, even in eulogy, to un-
, dervaue and msstate the worth, services
+ and capabilities Of the remarkable man who
was at the helm and guided the government
through stormy period. Unassuming and
unpretentious himself, Mr.. Lincoln was the
last person to wear borrowed honors. lie
was not afflicted with the petty jealousy Of
narrow minds, nor had he any apprehension
that others would deprive him Of just fame.
He gave to Mr. Seward, as to each OF his
council, his generous confidence, and pa
tiently listened if he did not always adopt
9 or assent to- the suggestions that were
! made. To those who knew Abraham Lin
coin, or who were at all intimate with hi:
| administration, the representation that he
was subordinate to any member of his cabi
net, or that he was deficient in executive ol
administrative ability, is absurd. Made OF
solemn occasion as was this address, anC
published and sent out to the world in {
document which purports to be not only
A eulogistic but historic, it is essential thai
the errors thus spread abroad should bC
corrected Mr. Adams had not an init
mate acquaintance with Mr.. Lincoln, an,
evidently but slight general knowledge 0
a his character. With admitted great disap
a pointment and disgust he received the in
telligence that this lawyer, legislator, an'
:. political student Of the prairies, whom HI
q did not know and with whom he bad no
q associated had been preferred by the Re
Y publican reprepresentatiyes at Chicago ovel
a Senator Of the Empire State with whom
,s he was intimate and familiar, who had had
y long official experience, which he seems L
4 have considered essential, was acquainted
with legislative management, and who's
political and party sympathies accorde'
f with his own. His prejudices, as well a
d his partality, were excited, and from the be
h ginning he misconceiyed the character, an
+ undervalued and underrated the capabilitie
4 and qualities Of one of the most sagaciou
| and remarkable men Of tho age.--Octo6e
! GdIaTU