Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-04-30


endless definition and remains as pro
found mystery as ever. While Mr.
Adams plainly intended to deal justly
by Mr.. Lincoln, it is everywhere appar
ent that he, in common with men of hi,
order, regard Mr. Lincoln as a favora
bic background against WHICH to show
off the eminent subject of his address,
But the practically great men heretofore
produced in this country have not been
great as tried by the scholastic standard
as rule. The history of the world also
reveals the fact that scho.asticism is an
indifferent political factor Men versed
in the subtleties of the schools have not
proved eminent successes as directors OF
public affairs. They have their uses
and those uses are sometimes very impor.
tant. But the men who reach down and
take hold of the sympsthies Of the peo-
pie are, after all, the real controllers of
the affairs of civilized nations.
Mr.. Seward occupied prominent yet
subordinate position during Mr. Lincoln's :
term. His instincts trained him to di-
plomacy, branch of politics once re-
garded much higher in grade than at
present. Mr.. Stewards accomplishments
in that direction peculiarly fitted him to
hold the portfolio of State. His intellect
was subtle, and qualified him to meet
the best men sent out by other nations
on footing of perfect equality. He was
cautions and reticent-prime tai S in the
character of a minister of State. In a
certain sort of political training he was
greatly the superior of Mr.. Lincoln,
while in scholarship and culture he was
still farther in advance of his official
chief. 1t is no injustice to Mr.. Lincoln
to admit this, for he was as fully aware
of it as Mr.. Adams himself. In modern
times, however, men have come dithe
knowledge that, while culture, training
and subtle intellect are all compatible
with craftsmanship, yet neither one nor
all of these things constitute that quail.
ty. The statesman, like the poet, is
born. and not made. Mr. Lincoln was
as much the superior of Mr. Seward in
native adaptedness to the work of guild
ing grea. nation along the devious
paths of progress, as Mr.. Seward was by
nature and training superior to Mr. Lin
coin in the subtleties of politics. With
all his abilities and they were very great
Mr. Seward saw but little way ahead
when the smoke of actual conflict arose.
On the other hand Mr.. Lincoln's vision
seemed TO clear as the smoke obscured
Inc field. 1t Is no secret to many that
Mr., Lincoln accepted the attack upon
Sumter as the prelude to long ani
bloody struggle. From that hour he be
gan to prepare for the worst. Mr.. Sew
ard, on the contrary. obsiinately refused
to admit that the struggle would be long
and exhausting Not few now living
his singularly optimistic speech
from his balcony not long after the war
broke out, in which he predicted an ear
ly adjustment and closed by saying that
The country would hear some good news
within sixty days. Mr.. Lincoln did not
ielude himself with Wis icns of an early |
cessation of hostilities, aud when Mr.. |
Seward Hopeful utterance was quoted
net it with one of his inimitable CON-
nents and urged on the preparations for
war. AT that time, and for some months |
ater, Mr.. Seward and o.heis of the Cab
net dissentod from Mr.. Lincoln's policy
If assembling a large army. The Cabinet
vas devidcd in sentiment as regarded |
hat policy, President and General
cameron, Secretary of War, holding to
he policy of accepting as many men as
n ght offer their services, while others,
'lr. Seward among them, appeared fear
ul that a regiment too many might get into
ervice. The Dlunder of the early days
# the war lay in the dilatory process by
national forces were augment
d. M. Lincoln yielded much to the
views of Mr.. Seward and
me or two others. Nevertheless the
ime came when his more advanced views
we're adopted, and his practical sagscity
Dominated in the conduct of the war.
The truth appears to De, and history
will more and more serve to Illustrate it
$ it mellows With age and the space
gidens between it and the events it
hronicles. that Mr.. Lincoln was raised
Or the emergency that covered his first
erm. And as the passions excited by
he conflict subside, it will be seen that
either Mr.. Seward. Mr., Chase nor Mr..
ldams, members of the Same family of
ublicists, would have been equal to the
,ork that Lincoln did so well and SO ac-
eptab!y 1t was not an era of diplo.
lany, though diplomacy played an ir,-
ortant part, and the country is certainly
he grateful debtor of Mr.. Adams in that
espect. 1t owes great debt of graft
lde to Mr.. Chase, whose cool head gave
he nation sound and most admirable {
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