Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-10-30
sewards.i Misapprehension Of
His Power.

Mr.. Seward entered upon his duties
with the impression, undoubtedly,
which Mr.. Adams seems to have i'm
bibed, that he was to be de fdcto Presi-
dent, and, as the premier in the British
Government, to s'direct the affairs of
the nation in the name of another
The consequences were that confusion
and arrangement prevailed to some ex-
tent at the commencement by reason Of
the mental activity, assumptions, and
meddlesome intrusions of the Secretary
of the State in the duties and affairs of
others, which were if not disorganizing,
certainly not good administration. Con-
fidence and mutual frankncss ON public
affairs and matters pertaining to the
Government, particularly on what re-
lated to present and threatened disturb
ances, existed among all the members
except Mr.. Seward, who had, or affected
a certain mysterious knowledge which
he was not prepared to impart. This
was accepted as probable necessity by
his associates, for he had been in po-
sition to ascertain facts which it was in
timated he could not perhaps well dis
close. 1t early became apparent, how
ever, that the Secretary of State had
ideas and notions of his own position
and that of his colleagues, as well as of
the character and attitude of the Pres.
ident, that others could not recognize.
Secretiyeness, subtle expedients, and
mysterious management, which limited
the knowledge of certain important
transactions to the State Department,
but of which the President was in some
degree and from time to time partially
informed, were the initiative Albany
method of executive government. For
several weeks after the Inauguration no
stated Cabinet meetings were held,
though the members were frequently
assembled in council-sometimes only a
part; but whenever convened, it was
by special notice from the Secretary of
State. This irregular practice was at
ter some weeks corrected, and stated
meetings on Tuesdays and Fridays were
ordered, against the remonstrance of
Secretary Seward, who thought stated
meetings caused unnecessary interrupt
tions of business, and that often only q
part of the members, such as were spe-
cially interested in the subjects under
consideration, need be called to meet
him and the President. 1t is mentioned
in the "Memorial Address" that "Mr.
Seward himself came into the State De-
partment with no acquaintance with
the forms of business other than that
obtained incidentally through his SER
vices in the Senate" This was soon
obvious to the whole council, who were
much annoyed for time in consequences
and until in a measure corrected, by
this want of proper system and that
correct administration which is essen
tial to intelligent unity in the Govern
ment. Under evident misapprehension
Of his own powers and duties, and Of
what belonged to others, the Secretary
of State undertook teo much, found
himself embarrassed by promises and
assurances inconsiderately given; and
with no clear and well-defined policy,
but with faith in expedients, on which,
rather than substantial principles, he
relied, there were for brief period
some singular proceedings. President
Lincoln bore with these things patient
ly, though the omens abroad were por-
tentous.-From Gideon Welles' reply to
Adams, in the November Galaxy.