Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-24
ADAMS ON SEWARD.

Hon. William II. Seward, delivered last
week, ranks as a scholarly production and
an able estimate of the statesman whom
It eulogixes. Dividing public men IN
to three classes, the orator places Mr..
Sxxmu In the first class, as man of ere
atiye force, progressive ideas, using his
abilities to advance the condition of his |
-fealow-msn---His--p uhlc-c is fairly !
sEetched to the time Of the convention |
which first nominated Abraham Lincoln
for President. Here opinions differ as to
the merit of the Grafton. Some think that
the partially of Mr.. Adams for Mr. Sew
ard has led him to misrepresent the con.
vention which nominated Mr. Lincoln, and
disparage the character of the latter
That part of the Grafton which is criticised
for this alleged unfairness is as follows
''The older statesmen Of great note had
vanished, SO as to make his party prominence
more marked than ever. AS a consequence,
when the nominating convention assembled at
Chicago, the eyes of all were turned toward
him as the candidate of all others the most
distinguished. A large plurality had been
general expectation was that he would be
nominated at once. But it was remembe, ed
. that, in 1874, Henry Clay was defeated be-
cause he had long record Of public ser
vice, from which many marked sayings and
doings might be quoted to affect impressible
.wayerers, and James X. Polk was elected be-
cause nobody could quote anything against
him, for the reason that he had never said or
done anything worth quoting at all. Further
more, the ghosts Of the higher law and of the
irrepressible conflict fitted about to alarm
excited imagnstions.
List but not least came in the element of
bargain and management manipulated by
adopts at intrigue, which is almost insepa able
from similar assemblies. The effect of all
these influences united was to turn the tide q,
last, and Mr.. Seward, the veteran champion Of
the reforming policy, was set aside in favor O.
agentleman as little known by anything h,
had ever done as the most sanguine friend o
such selection could desire. The fact is be
yond contradiction that no person ever befor
nominated, with any reasonable probability o
success, had had so little of public service t
show for his reward"
1t is true that Mr.. Lincoln had not lon.
enjoyed any wide distinction as publ
/. man up to the time of the Chicago con
vention, but his debates with Dougla
were Of SO marked character for abilit,
that they brought him prominently for
ward as candidate for the Presidency
worthy to compete with the high renowI
Of Seward. There was something abou
Lincoln's character which attracted the
popular attention at the time. 1t adds
nothing to the fame of Seward, but rather
lessons it, TO detract from the character o
his successful competitor at Chicago,
whose subsequent career proved that he
was equal to the most trying circumstan
ces in which President or statesman eve
was placed. 1t is doubtful if Mr. Sewar.
could have been 50 successful at the helm
of State in the rebellion as Mr.. Lincoln
Of the private life of Mr. Seward the ora
tor speaks as follows:
"The picture would scarcely seem com
plete If ! omitted word about him as a maj
like all the rest Of US. BY nature he cal
scarcely be said to have been gifted with tn,
advantage of an imposing presence, such a.
fell to the lot of Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Web
ster. Neither in face nor in figure would he
have attracted particular notice, and both his
favorable to elocution. Yet he had in re-
msrkable degree the faculty of fixing the
hearers attention, the surest test of orator.
cal superiority. His familiar conversation
rarely kept in the dreary round Of common
place, and often struck into original and 10.
structive paths. His personal address was
easy and careless, sometimes rather blunt
1t lacked something of the polish of the most
refined society, but there was simplicity and
h- = - ~.
. brought one close to him in a moment. AT
times, when in good spirits, there seemed a
superabundant glee springing from his own
thoughts, which spent itself in laughter more
robust than could be wholly accounted for by
anything expressed. And yet it had a SYM
pathetic power over the hearers almost ire.
sistible. In his domestic relations he was
pure and affectionate-ready to heed the mo-
nitions of refined partner, and proft.by her
prudent counsel.
Our forefathers would marvel could they
imagine it possible for me to claim credit for
Mr.. Seward, on the score of his honesty as a.
public man. Yet the time has come when we
must honor one who never bought nor sold a
vote or place, and who never permitted his
pubic action to be contaminated in the at.
mosphere of corporation influence. On that
subject had occasion to know his sentiments
more than once. Above all he was earnestly
impressed with religious feeling, never max
ing parade of it, but never emitting eyery
proper occasion to make it properly respected.
One Of his finest traits was the calmness with
which he endured all the various politi
cal assaults made upon him by opponents
and often by those of his own side. Few
persons 0f his time encountered more. 1t is
the nature of power always to raise u body
of resistance in q relative proportion to the
force of his own movement. Then came also
the day of complaints raised by the large
class fated to be aggrieved by disappointed
hopes or imagined offenses, the arrogant, the
incompetent, the rapaciOus, the treacherous,
and the INSCRIPTIONS, always to be found in
trenched around about every fountain of DO
litical favors. Mr.. Seward was never tempt
ed to elevate the position of such persons by
controversy, or even to profit of opportunities
for merited retribution, even when clearly
within bis grasp"
ENCOURAGING SIGNS IN URUGUAY
MoNTEvIDEo, March, 4th, 1878.
TO Tie Editor Of Tie Journal.
What is now Transporting in this country is