Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-09-22
Character of Abraham ,nco,n

tits to be regretted that Mr. Charles F.
Adams. in his Memorial Address on the Life.
Character, and Services OF William H. Seward
should have permitted himself to do injustice TO
Abraham Lincoln. Any attempt to cauonize Mr.
Seward by detractng from the merits of his
chief Teakeus the encomiums bestowed Mr.
Adams has claims TO consideration by reason Of
his talents. requirements, social position and
public services; but his estimate of the character
capacity, executive ability, and relative position
of the Chief Magistrate and his Secretary OF
state betrays want Of just discrimination and
correct knowledge OF each greater error
could scarcely be committed than to represent
that Mr. Lincoln had 10 deal With a superior
intellectual power when he came in contact
With MIR. Seward The reverse was the fact, In
mere scholastic requirements MIR. Seward
never learned man. may have had the adyan-
tage. though IN this respect there was less DIN.
erence than Is generally supposed; while IN
breadth OF philosophical experience and in the
force of moral discipline the almost Sc f-tanght
and reflective mind OF Mr.. Lincoln which sur.
mounted difficulties and disadvantages that hi.
Secretary never knew, conspicu0uslv excelled
In the executive council and in II asslres of sd-
ministration the Secretary held influence n0t
always happily exercised, but the President Was
the master mind. 1t Is empty panegyric to
speak Of the Secretary Of State as chief or IN
say his suggestions, save in his own departmsnt
were more regarded or had even greater tutaeuce
than those Of others. His restless activity. nm
ceaslsg labors showy manifestations and some.
times incsutions exercise Of questionable au-
thoTty which the President deemed it impolitic
to disayow, led to the impression. which Mr.
Adams seems also to have imhibed. that the
subordinate was the principal, and have induced
him, to use his own words. award to one honor.
that clearly belong to another
Far be 1t from me to derogate in the least from,
the merits and services OF Mr.. Seward FOR I US.
awitness TO his assiduity. and to some extent a
participant and coadj jutor with him in the lahors
and trials that the Administration encountered in
those "tIoublous times But it was not nacas-
sary in stating his merits, even in euogv. Ia mn
deryalue and mistake the worth services snd
capabilities OF the remarkable man who va
al the helm and guided the Government throngh
stormy period, Cnassuming and unpretentin7Is
hlmselt, Mr.. Lincoln was the last person to wear
borrowed honors. He was not afflicted with fbs
petty jealousy Of narrow minds nor had he snT
apprehension that others wou'd deprive him ~
just fame He gave to Mr. Seward as to eacb M
his council, his generous confidence and ma
hehtly lstened II he lid not always adopt or a..
sent TO the suggestions that were made To
those who knew Abraham Lincoln, or who vrara
at all intimate with Ills Administration the REQ
resentation that he subordinate to anv man.
Der OF hls Cabinet. or that he was deficient in ex.
eeuuVe or administrative ability is sbsnrb Made
on solemn occasion as was this address atd
published and sent out to the world in a dor,,
ment which purports to be not only euIopis,i,,
but historic it Is essential that the errors tI,,
spread abroad should be corrected. Mr. Adams
had not an intimate acquaintance with Mr.. Lin
coin. and evidently but a slight general know.
ledge et his character. With admitted great dis-
appointment and disgust he received the inteIIi
gsnce that this lawyer lt gislator and political
student OF the praries, whom he did not know
and with whom he had not associated. had been
preferred by tie Republican representatives at
Chicago over Senator from the Empire Stata
Wlth whom he was intimate and familiar who
had long official experience, which he seems To
have considered Essential, was acquainted with
legislative management, and whose political and
party sympathles accorded with his own. His
preJ1uices a. wei as his psrtiaity were excited,
and from the beginning he misconceiyed The
character and underyalued and moderated tIe
capabilities and qualities OF one of the most "a
gaoious and remarkable men OF the age,-Gii
t0n hslsi Il. Q! ber GatlrY