Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-09-18
CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

1t is to be regretted JnaG ME. CnafleS
F. Adams, in bis /" Memorial Address
on the Life, Character, and Services of
William FL. Seward" should have per-
mitted himself to do injustice to Abra-
ham Lincoln. Any attempt to canon
ize Mr.. Seward by detracting from the
merits of his chief weakens the encomi-
ums bestowed Mr.. Adams has claims
to consideration by reason of his tai
ents, requirements, social position, and
public service but his estimate of the
character, capacity, executive ability,
and relative pc sition of the Chief Magis-
trate and his Secretary OF State betrays
want of just discrimination and correct
knowledge of each. A greater error
could scarcely be committed than to re-
present 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 general
~ supposed while in breadth of philo-
sophical experience and in the force of
moral discipl me- the almost self TAU ht
and reflective mind of Mr. Lincoln,
which surmounted difficulties and dis
advantages that his Secretary never
knew, conspicuously excelled. In the
executive council and in measures of ad-
ministration the Secretary had in
fuence, 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 de-
partment, were more regarded or had
even greater influence than those of
others. His restless activity, unceas-
ing labors manifestations, and some
times incautious exercise of question
able authority which the President
deemed it impolite to disavow, led to
the impression, which Mr.. Adams seems
also to have imbibed, that the subor-
dinate was the principal, and have in
duced him, to use his own words, to
award to one honors that clearly be-
long to another"
Far be it from me to derogate in the
least from the merits and services of Mr..
Seward, for / was witness to his as
siduity, and to some extent partici-
pant and coadjutor with him in the
labors and trials that the administration
encountered in those "troublous times. "
But it was not necessary in stating his
merits, even in eulogy, to undervalue
and misstate the WORTH services, and
capabilities Of the remarkable man who
was at the helm and guided the govern
fh,.nrnb ,earin1
Stunning and unpretentious himself, Mr.,
Lincoln was the last person to wear
borrowed honors. He was not afflicted
with the petty jealousy of narrow minds,
nor had he any apprehension that others
would deprive him of just fame. He
gave to Mr.. Seward, as to each of his
council, his generous confidence, and
patiently listened if he did not always
adopt or assent to the suggestions that
were made. To those who knew Abra-
ham Lincoln, or who were at all init
mate with his administration, the repre-
sentation that he was subordinate to any
member of his cabinet, or that he was
deficient in executive or administrative
ability, is absurd Made on solemn
occasion as was this address, ami pub
.-hshed and sent out to the world in IL
document which purports to be not on
ly eulogistic but historic, it is essential
that the errors thus spread abroad
should be corrected.
Mr.. Adams had not an intimate ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Lincoln, and evil
IDENTIFY but slight general knowledge
OF his character. With admitted great
disappointment and disgust he received
the intelligence that this lawyer, legis-
lator, and political student of the
prairies, whom he did not know and
with whom he had not associated, had
been preferred by the Republican repre-
sentatives at Chicago over 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 acquaint-
ed with Legislative management, and
whose political and party sympathies
accorded with his own. His prejudices
as well as his Partially we've excited,
and from the beginning he misconceived
the character and undervalued and I'M
derrated the capabilities and qualities
of one of the most sagacious and re-
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