The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-09-25
character Of Abraham Lincoln.

1t is 70 be regretted that Mr.. Charles p.
Adams, in his 4. Memorial Address on the
Liiei character, and Services OF William II
seward, should have permitted hiBlSeif to
/ 90 injustice 10 Abraham Lincoln. Any at
tempt 20 canonize Mr.. Seward by detracting
l nom the merits OF hts chief weaKens the en-
eomlums bestowed. Mr.. Adams has claims
/ to consideration by reason of his talents, ae-
qulrements, social position, and public ser
/ vice; but MS estimate OF the character, capa-
city, executive ability, and relative position
/ OF the Chief Magistrate and his Secretary of
state Detrays want of just discrimination
and correct knowledge of each. A greater
could scarce be committed than to represent
that Mr., Lincoln had TO deal with a super
iOr intellectual power" when he came in
contact with Mr.. Seward. The reverse was
I the fact. In mere scholastic requirements
MI. Seward, never learned man." may
nave mad the advantage, though in this re-
spect there was less difference than Is gener-
ally supposed; while sin breadth OF philO-
sophical experience and in the force OF NOR
al discipline" the almost seif-taught and re-
Elective mind OF Dir. Lincoln, which sur
mounted difficulties and disadvantages that
his Secretary never knew, cOnspicuOuSly ex-
celled- In the executive council and in
measures OF administration the Secretary
had influence, not always happily exercised
but the Presidents was the master mind. 1t
Is empty panegyrie to speak OF the Secretary
of State as chief. or to 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-
l
sometimes incautiOus exercise OF questiOna-
bic authority which the President deemed It
tmpoltte to disavow, led to the impression,
which Mr.. Adams seems also TO have inlbtb-
ed, that the subordinate was the principal,
and have induced him, to use his OWE words,
/ to award to one hOnors that clearly belong
to another"
Far be il from me to derogats in the least
from the merits and services OF Mr.. Seward,
for was witness to his assiduity, and to
some extent participant and coadjutor
with htm in the labors and trials that the
Administration encountered in those troub-
/ louS times. But IL was not necessary IN
/ stating his merits, even In eulOgy, to under
value and mtState the worth, services, and
capabilities OF the remarkable man who was
at the helm and guided the Government
through astormy period. Unassuming and
unPretenttous himself, Mr. Lincoln was the
! last man to wear borrowed hOnOrs. He was
not afdieted With the petty jealousy OF mar
row minds, nor had he any. apprehension
/ that others would deprive him Of Just fame.
/ He gave 70 Mr. Seward, as to each Of his
council, his generous confidence, and pa
/ uently listened II he did not always adopt
To those who knew Abraham Lincoln, or
/ VINO were at all intimate with his Admins
atqa Re- vas vas 5aesPEssHthi9n shef as 81 va sq
/ istrative ability, is absurd. Made on q sol
emn occasion, as was this address, and pub
/ liShed and sent out to the world in doeu-
/ ment which purpOrts 10 be not only eulO-
/ gistic but historic, 10 Is essential that the
errors thus spread abroad should be
corrected. Nj. Adams had not an in
innate acquaintance with Mr.. Lin
| coin, and evidently but a slight general
knowledge OF his character. With admitted
great disappointment and disgust he receiv-
/ cd the intelligence that this lawyer, legisla-
/ tor, and political student Of the prsiries,
I whom he did not know and with whom he
had not associated, had been preferred by
/ the Republican representatives at Chicago
over Senator from the Empire State with
whom he was Intimate and familiar, who
/ had long official experience, which he seems
70 have considered essential, was acq quainted
with legislative management. and whose
l political End party sympathies accorded
with his own. His prejudtceS as well as his
| partiality were excited, and from the beg IN
ming he miscOnceived the character and un-
dervalued and moderated the capabilities
and qualities OF one Of the most sasaciOus
and remarkable men OF the age.-GfdeOn
Weiies, IN the October GALAXY.