Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-27
LINCOLN AND SEWARD.

The assumption or assertion by Charles
Francis Adams in his Memorial Address
an Mr. Seward, that the latter was greatly
superior to Mr. Lincoln in intellectual and
executive ability and craftsmanship, and
was the leading and controlling spirit in
Mr.. Lincoln's administration. meets with
a forcible and effective denial in an artl-
Gle by Hon. Gideon Welles, published in
the last number of the Galaxy. Whatever
the individual opinion of Mr.. Adams may
be in the matter mentioned, there is no
doubt the popular judgement is against
him, and that the apparent injustice which
he has done Mr.. Lincoln will not operate
to the advantage of the memory of Mr..
Seward.
Both men stood too long in the eye of
the public, in difficult and responsible po-
sitions, not to permit full and fair test
of their respective abilities by deeply
interested and sharply scrutinizing public.
Mr.. Seward was better known and en-
joyed higher reputation than Mr. Lin
coin in 1861, but from that time forward
until his death the latter steadily rose in
popular estimation, standing at last the
acknowledged equal of any statesman in
the nation, in the great qualities required
of the Chief Executive in the stormy and
critical times upon which his lot as Presi-
dent was cast.
To Mr.. Seward we are under obligations
for the successful manner in which our
foreign relations were conducted during
the rebellion. His wisdom and manage
ment Were conspicuous in the skill with
which the government avoided exciting
hostilities or pretexts for uniriendly ac-
ton on the part of other nations towards
us, q delicate task in which weak mar
or a man less evenly balanced in judg
ment and temper would have disastrously
failed. But it was to Mr.. Lincoln, after
all, as his administration advanced ant
the crisis of the rebellion drew on, tina
the people began to look as the maste
spirit in the conduct of national affairs
As his character and abilities developed
he grew in public confidence The diff
culties of the situation in which he was
placed manifested resources of strength
with which he had never been credited.
As the trial became sharper the more
grandly he displayed himself as he rose
to meet it.
1t is unfortunate that Mr.. Adams should
have thought it necessary in order to ex-
toll Mr. Seward, to disparage Mr.. Lincoln
Both are entitled to the gratitude of the
American people for their distinguished
public services, but it is unjust to place
Mr.. Lincoln second and Seward first
There is no danger, however, that the al
tempt of Mr. Adams viii succeed The
public conscience and wisdom will ae-
cord to each his proper due. The polished
and cultivated statesman, sagacious and
prudent, will receive the measure of honor
that belongs to him; and the rough, hon
est, sound-hearted. and large-brained pat
riot that kept the helm in the rebellion will
also have his proportion. The testimony
OF Mr.. Welles as a member of the Cabinet
and practically conyersant with the labors
and abilities of both Lincoln and Seward
is sufficient answer to the assumption of
Mr.. Adams. There was time in the
opening of Mr.. Lincoln's administration
when the opinion was quite general that
Mr.. Seward was the moving and control
ing spirit in it. but that time passed away
as events rolled on, and it is too late to I'M
dertake to revive it now. Very few Of
our best informed public men will endorse
the opinion of Mr.. Adams, but will be-
lieve with Mr.. Welles that Mr. Lincoln wa:
the actual President during his term O
office, governed neither by Mr.. Seward
nor any one else in his official duties. ant
discharging them with faithfulness ant
ability that could have been excelled b,
no statesman the land afforded.