New-York tribune., 1873-04-19
ADAMS on SEWARD.

Our Legislature did one of the most fortunate
and most graceful things in its history when it
requested Mr.. Charles Francis Adams to deliver
the Grafton at Albany, yesterday, IN the
Memorial Services in honor Of the late William
Henry Seward. Such occasions are too often
marked by mere scenic display and by the
rhetoric which naturally seeks such oppor
tunites. But in the admirable address we
print this morning we have funeral ora
ton worthy of comparison with the best
models of its kind, and forming valu-
able addition to the literature Of the
country. The most unusual qualifications
met in the orator. He was an intimate friend
of the dead statesman. He had served by his
side in the long political struggle against
slavery, and under his orders abroad when
that struggle ended in war. He knew as well
as any one the motives and feelings, the
principles and purposes which controlled Mr..
Seward in public life. He could the more
easily judge and appreciate him, that he is
himself in many respects a man Of the same
mold-One of that race of statesmen now be-
coming too rare, who devote themselves to
public affairs for the good they can do, with
NO thought of gain, and no personal aims ex-
cept the attainment of an honorable fame.
He, like Seward, has seen his best work meet
with least reward, and has been able, also, to
find higher qualification in the conscious
ness of having deserved well of his country
than any which could be derived from mere
popularity.
Mr.. Adams has sometimes been accused of
coldness by people who object to reserve and
self-respect in public men. But it is hard to
see any trace of this quality in the present
Grafton 1t is one of the most earnest and
impassioned eulogies ever uttered by one friend
over the grave of another. Lancelot is not a
more perfect mirror of chivalry in the immor-
tai words of Sir Bor, than is Seward of states
manship and patriotism in this speech of the
calmest and most critical of his contemporaries.
There must have been wonderful personal
attractiveness in a character which, from every
pole of opinion, every stratum of society, every
race and tribe in the world, gathered this store
of faith and devotion from men who coud
agree in nothing else; which inspired in lin
coin confidence which he gave to no other
man in his life, and brought together at his
funeral, equally sincere mourners, the greatest
politician who was not statesman, and the
first statesman who was not politician, that
cur history has known.
The speech is so much finer than we have
the right to expect upon any ceremonial Occa-
sion that we are not disposed to find any
fault with it. Otherwise we might suggest
that in the effort to bring the central figure
of his picture out into bOlder relief. Mr.. Ad-
ans has done less than justice to Lincoln, to
the men who nominated him, and to those
who in their own way--a way different from
that chosen by Mr.. Seward-took part in the
great work of saving the nation and destroy
ing slavery in which his share was so nobly
conspicuous. But no one can blame Mr.. Ad-
ans for sacrificing TO the honor of his friend a
little of the susceptibilities of Others, when
he makes 80 frank and magnanimOus a
criticism of his own action at a time when he
found himself in opposition to Mr.. Seward.
The entire oration moves in higher and
purer air than that to which we have lately
been accustomed in public speeches. 1t fifty
crowns the great career which it commemo-
rates. It will not be the least Of Stewards
elories in the future, that after he was dead,
a statesman not easily moved to enthusiasm
and severe in morals beyond the habit Of his
time. could hold up bis life for the unqualified
imitation of youth, and could say that his first
virtues were his courage and his stainlessncss.
without fear and without roproach"-this