New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
,,,v,,rSs LINCOLN AND SEWARD.
/, ,NcoI.N AND SEWARD. BY GIDEON WELLEs i2mo
LiNN0 pp ais sheldon Il Co.

mo
An "The Galaxy" in reply to the statements OF Ml
.n..los FRANCIS Adams in his Memorial Address
an ,be Life Of William II. Seward are mere up
a,ced. together with many additional oe't'iS - -
lation 70 the subject which have not heie'oio'v
given 10 the'publc. Mr. Welles processes "
- eraopol animositv towards the late dis'inguis"o"
secretary of state He regards MI oo"" 90
ing been emphatically party ponuo''" "i'" .,e1,
f,ce in Great measure, from the wees "'ion "'""S
attend that position. In his portIature Oh W. COY"
- oharacter he describes him as man oil geMn
.N..,,,o, Kind and afable in his disposition
.s,'.,I npder rpyerses and without the malice ana
...rhtv Of the mere political partisan. HIS soclal
,vmn,thies "a well his mental power, gave hlih
monument place among his associates lie was
.uick Of apprehension, fertile in expedientS ana
prompt in expression Without any commanding lo
.uence or dignity ofpresence he thus became master
sfapersonal influence which wasshared by ie" oil his
ea,emporanes But lac had not the executive niinu
bicb eould of itself magnetic others, or tho force
AZ character which could take the helm, and direct
the policy of a Government or party. Henry Gay
.nce said that MIR. Seward was man OF no conVlc-
t,onsp The author adds that whether this be strictly
t,,e ar not he was a man OF no fixed principles,
whose convictions would not yield TO circumstances
lie could be tenacious In adhcring TO measure as
long "a the friends in whom he trusted NAM
tanned the position, but alone he had not the
selfreliance 10 take his stand on a principle
aud able tho consequences. M Stewards
talents wero more versatile than profound
Dewas a conservative and not reiormer. lie liau
no grand original ideas of right no principles OF au
ministration Mr.. Welles goes on TO affirm that he
only favored reform as a measure of his party bus
gave Il no support when II was proposed by tine
democrats 1t is a mistake TO fancy that he was the
leader either Of the anti-slavery movement or OF
the republican party. lie was nevor an abolltiomst
or n free-soilcr Nor did ne unite with the re-
pubreans until the whig party had virtually ceased
20 exist The attempt TO claim him an anti
slavery leader is eulogy rather than fact.
The position Of Mr.. Seward IN President Lincoln's
cabinet according 20 Mr.. Welcs. was that of u sub
ordinate He did not control the master-spirlt OF
tbe chief magistrate hut was controlled by il. Ii
Wa not Mr. Lincoln who conformed ms policy TO
Nj Seward. but It was Mr.. Seward who smoothly
adapted himself TO Mr. Lincoln, and falling of in
fluencc himself adopted the conclusions of his chief
In facility of change among friends one possessed
greater tact than the secretary of state This made
him an agreeable companion, but without positive
character or absolute convictions no reliance could
bc placed upon his rmness or consistency IN action
Mr. Lincoln. who is represented "a Ignorant 0f the
condition of the country, and whose mind had not
yet opened 20 the nature of the oisis' in fact I'M
derstood better tho popular sentiment and the
minister In his SECLUDED home" he had not
been An Indifferent observer. lie had studied pub
DE necessities and public measures. lie rose above
paTty contentious 10 the political condition OF the
country. Even ut that late day Mr.. Seward did
not comprehend. 90 its full extent tho nature OF
the impending conflict. lie predicted the speedy
settlement Of dispute which was soon 70 nnpcTlI
Che Union. Mr.. Lincoln, however had apprehen-
SONS which no cheerful prophecies could put AZ
rest His native sagacity gave him trncr insight
into the condition Of affairs than could be gained
by the experienced politicians who chanted the
promises Of peace. The president was greatly SUI
perior 90 Mr.. Seward in intellectual keenness and
vigoa. lie haa more earnestness and sincerity, q
greater grasp of principles aud more rgd adherence
20 his convictions of right Mr.. Seward doubtless
had higher culture and larger scholastic attain
Inents He had wonderfultact and facility in adapt
ing himself 10 circumstances. His training anC
habit were partisan. and his acts often impuSIve
lie sometimes acted rashly, not always wisely
While he relied less principles than eXpedientS
and trusted to skill aud dexterty rather than the
Justice of his cause the policy OF Nh Lincoln was
based on profound convictions to which he stead
tasty adhered
The instances which Mr. Welles brings forward
~ Illustrations of the wise and decided action OF
President Lincoln in difficult and critical emerg-
encies will be read with interest, a part of the
secret history of the administration, though due
allowance must be made for the position of the
writer advocate not without skill in the arts OF
special pleading A remarkable exposition OF the
proceedings Of President Lincoln in regard placing
General Mcclellan IN command OF the forces al
Washington, is given in thefolowing passage, which
though too long for space, Will well reward
pcrusal.
IN the early period OF the me proceedings and
Operations Of the military commanders we're uneatlSac
tory apd nowhere equaed the general expectation
pli-hed None more Disappointed OF depressed by
The slow pruCr made than the President himself. Flo!
nerod he mad bopes from Mcclellan whose talents ~
organization were displayed 20 advantage when, IN the
5ammcr Of 1901 lac took command al Washington eslab-
hshcd order aud enforced 5000 military administration
D. respects The President esteemed him 20 he supe
60 OF the generals win whom he had
IN contact; hat the Autumn and Winter
tn War Departments IN January 1902, came the hos
tilty Of 81 ,retary stanton % Mcclellan then General
iD-Chlcf. Tie hestdtlug movements OF that officer
weakened the confidence OF the Pcslcu IN his energy
aud military power. He sul believed, however, that
gence, hut that he inert, nurm Of purpose; not
quite ready o. DO I That De had the ability 70 accom-
pisb. He required pushing. ana the President there
Tore TOOK upon himself TO oilti forward movement
OF both the army and navy. But Mcclellan continued
tsrS, and the Winter and spring delays followed by
the sluggish movements on thr YORK fehlhsdia ana
The before ECAmOnd discouraged and greatly
dishedrtencd not ouiv the President but the whole
country. At this iuncuie, when. with large armies
under him he had more than De could perform IN the
line oi Ms profession McSlean m jay wFote from ms
letter the President relation q the civil admins
taon ana the political coucuci OF ahhrs TINS unWlse
lotteI ana thc tet eIre Oh he army WIN tne acHt nos
ty OF Stanton brought Hd!eck, vastly inferior
10 hash,Iktn. Gen Iopc Iau pteCeueu MN, anu "
nj theculiNe oIdtf tfedhE the army OF virginia nae
been placed command Of the forces then IN front OF
Washington. the iunute disgust OF Of the older
Generals TINS disgust was increased 10y his pubic gas
ponadDg proclamation rejecting the proceedings Of
phes' wren must ne sald' thenceiOF"aId
be discarded. These bataut bulletins, in