New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-19
THE GALAXY.

Mr.. Grant White opens the present number
of The Galaxy" with fierce, boodthirsty onslaught
on Mr.. FItzedward Halls work entitled Recent EA-
qualifications of False Philoogy" in which he himself
had been held up as an example Of bad English. The
writer turns the tables upon his accuser with ven
ceance and leaves Mr. Hall in the sad plight Of man
who gets shower OF kicks after ne mas
been knocked down. French Words and Phrases
is another pathological venture, though OF dli
ferent character, illustrating some OF the pecularlues
OF the French language in its cOloquia uses The writer
offers many suggestive remarks on the subject
and his paper is very readable and often entertaining
although some OF positions fancy, not quite
reproOf At all events, II is great absurdty TO speak
of Mr. Emerson as the American Plato" and no less
one to call Carlyle the double" OF Mr.. Emers0n III
the whole history of literature there are scarcely two
writers more antpodal TO each other than Plato and
Emerson but they not than Carlyle Is both
The Stage Was presents some Interesting hlstor
zeal "reminiscences Illustrating the Improvement Of the
English theater since the time OF Shakespeare ana 81"
ing some racy personal anecdotes of celebrated per
formers. paper on Mr.. Lincoln and Mr.. Seward" by
exSecretary Wees, calls in question some OF Mr. Charles
Francis Adamss criticisms the former and presents
the character of the late President in what he considers
a more correct light. a greater error" says
Mr.. Welles could scarcely be committed than
10 represent that MT Lincoln had TO deal
with superior intellectual power when he
came in contact with Mr. Seward The reverse the
fact. In mere scholastic requirements MI. seward
never a learned man., may have had the advantage
though in this respect there less diff
ference than is generally supposed while lin breadth
OF philosophical experience and IN the force Of moral
discipline the almost selftaughtiand reflective mind Of
Mr. Liucoln which surmounted difficulties and disad-
vantages that his Secretary knew cOnspicnOusy
excelled. In the executive council aud Of
administration the Secretary had influence not always
happily exercised. but the Presidents the master
mind II is empty paneyric TO speak Of the Secretary
Of state chief say his suggestions in his
own department.. were more regarded or had even
greater influence than those of Others His restless
tivty, unceasing labors, snowy manifestations, and
sometimes ncautous exercise OF questionable authority
which the President deemed II impotc to disayow led
TO the impression which Mr.. Adams seems also to have
imbibed that the subordinate the principal, and
have induced him, to use his own words, to
award 10 honors that clearly belong 70 another
The gist OF the article. the whole OF which is well
worth reading. may be perceived from the following
paragraph. The Secretary of state had, with higher
culture and scholastic attanments, quicness Of appr
hension, wonderful facility and aptness IN adapting
himself to circumstances and exgences which he could
control and d fertility in expedients with deX-
teTity in adopting dsmissing plans and projected
schemes unsurpassed; qualities which made HIM
ceptable companion If not always safe adviser, but
never the superior and controlling executive mind His
training and habit partisan, and his often in
pusye; but accustomed through whole lofcial life
10 consult faithful friend, TO whose judgment and
guidance he deferred. he had not great emergencies
the sefreliance, energy, WILL ana force OF character
which are essential truly great and strong execu
tive. He sometimes acted rashly, not always wisely.
But If he had the Will which is necessary chief
he had the sustaining qualities which are invaluable
in serving capable leader with whom lie
might bel identified. lie subordinate to Abraham
Lincoln and deferred him he had deferred TO Thur
low Weed-cOnformed 10 the views OF the former he
had thirty years TO those Of the latterand assumed
credit in the as had always been given him
in other without being the originating and directing
MUD in either After the snbsidence OF the anmasonic
excitement on which he first carried into Office he
became Wing, and through all its changes aud nuta
tons, until the organization eKtinguished, he ad
hered 10 the party. Mr.. Lincoln, the contrary
Invested of paTtsanship beyond almost any man In
active public life he was lnsensibe to party
aud its claims, but they secondary and
subordinate 10 principles-the means rather than
the end. He 'drfted,' be used to say.
into the Wing organization at the begin
ming his associations were chiefly there he had
particular veneraton for the party regard for many
OF its proessed doctrines. Time, experience reflection,
and observation weakened Whatever feeling sym
patty be once entertained for mere party. Unlike Mr.
Seward, he had no reluctance in giving up the Wing
organization lingering affection for IT, nor any besi-
taton to participate in and urge the Republican
movement from lts inception. MI Seward was an
adrOit and skilfu party tactcan familiar with the
tricks and contryances in which HIS 6dus Aehates in
dulged 10 carry an election while Mr.. Lincoln had no
taste inclination respect for such practices and
would not TO secure party success, Intentionally.
IN the most excited election deceive permit others TO
deceive those who trusted him. The minds OF the two
in different channels, and when they came to-
gether on important questions. that Of the President
was the principal and not, represented in the adj
dress the tributary" OF the poetcal contributions in
this number, my SUMNER" by Mrs L. c. Moulion
will attract attention by its dainty verscation and
vein OF tender mystical sentiment