The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-10-08
Character of Abraham Lincoln.

1t is to be regretted that Mr. Chas.
F. Adams, in his Memorial Address
on the Life, Character, and Services
of William Fl. Seward, should have
permitted himself to do injustice TO
Abraham Lincoln. Any attempt to
cauonize Mr.. Seward by detracting
from the merits of his chief weakens
the eneomiums bestowed Mr. Adams
has claims to consideration by reason
of his talents, requirements, So
cial position, and public service; but
his estimate Of the character, capaci-
ty, executive ability, and relative po-
sition of the Chief Magistrate and his
Secretary of State betrays q want o.
just discrimination and correct knowl-
edge Of each. A greater error could
scarcely be committed than 10 repre-
sent that Mr.. Lincoln ''had to deal
with superior intellectual power"
when he came in contact with Mr..
Seward The reverse was the fact.
In mere scholastic requirements Mr..
Seward, never learned man." may
have had the advantage, though in
this respect there was less difference
than is generally supposed: while in
breadth of philosophical experience
and in the force of moral discipline"
the almost self-taught and reflective
mind of Mr.. Lincoln, which
surmounted difficulties and disadvan-
tages that his Secretary never knew,
conspicuously excelled. In the exec
utive council and in measures of adj
min;=tration the Secretary had inhu-
ence, not always happily exercised,
but the Presidents was the master
mind. 1t is empty panegyric to
speak of the Secretary of State as
chief, or to say his suggestions, save
in his own department, were more re-
garded or had even greater influence
than those Of others. His restless ac-
tiyity, unceasing labors, snowy mani
festations, and sometimes incautious
exercise of questionable authority
which the President deemed it impo-
lite to disavow, led to the impression,
which Mr.. Adams seems also to have
imbibed, that the subordinate was the
principal, and have induced him, to
use his own words, to award to one
honors that clearly belong to another"
Far he it from me TO derogate in the
least from the merits and services of
Mr.. Seward, for | was a witness to
his assiduity, and to some extent a
participant and coadjutor with him in
the labors and trials that the Admin
istration encountered in those ''troub-
lous times" But it was not neces-
sary in stating his merits, even in eu-
logy, to undervalue and mistate the
worth, services, and capabilities of
the remarkable man who was at the
helm and guided the Government
through stormy period sUnassum-
ing aud unpretentious himself, Mr..
Lincoln was the last person to wear
borrowed honors He was not aflict-
ed with the petty jealousy of narrow
minds, nor had he any apprehension
that others would deprive him of just
tame. He gave to Mr. Seward, as to
each of his council, his generous con-
iidence, and patiently listened if he
did not always adopt or assent to the
suggestions that were made. To
those who knew Abraham Lincoln,
or who were at all intimate with his
Administration, the representation
that he was subordinate to anv men,
ber of his Cabinet, or that he was de-
ilclent IN executive or administrative
ability, is absurd Made on solemn
occasion as was this address, and pub
lished and sent out to the world in a
document which purports to be not
only eulogistic but historic, it is es-
sential that the errors thus spread
abroad should be corrected. Mr..
Adams had not an intimate acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Lincoln, and evidently
but slight general knowledge of his
character. With admitted great dis
appointment and disgust he received
the intelligence that this lawyer, leg
islator, and political student of the
prairies, whom he did not know and
with whom he had not associated,
had been preferred by the Republican
representatives at Chicago over a
Senator from the Empire State with
whom he was intimate and familiar,
who had long official experience,
which he seems to have considered
essential, was acquainted with legis-
lative management, and whose politi-
cal and party sympathies accorded
with his own. His prejudices as well
as his partiality were excited, and
from the beginning he misconceived
the character and undervalued and
underrated the capabilities and quail
tiles of one of the most sagacious and
remarkable men of the age-Gideon
ipeites, IN the October GaiGry.