Great Falls tribune., 1885-12-26
SEWARD AND ALASKA.
FOR TIE TRIBUNE.

FOR TIE TRIBUNE.
The great American Statesman
whose name stands at the head Of thi
article was born in Florida, Orang
county, New York, in 1901. His an
cestors We're Welch on his father
and Irish on his mothers side, ant
settled in the New World at an earl,
date in its history. At an early ag,
he was sent to the academy at Goshen
and at fifteen to the Union College
from which he graduated with higl
honors; he afterwards studied Law
and was admitted to the bar in 1922
and the next year entered into part
nership with Judge Miller, Of Aub
urn, New York.
In 1928 ne was rendered the Con
gressional nomination, but declined
it, and two years latter was sent tc
the state senate. In 1884 he was
nominated for governor, but lost the
election. In 1888 he was renominated
for the same office and elected by ar
overwhelming majority. In 1849 he
was sent to the United States sanate
and remained in that body until GIr
| Llncoln's election, when he was Offer.
ed the position OF Secretary Of STATE
III his Cabinet, which he accepted and
held during Mr. Lincoln's and Mr..
Johnson's administration
Mr.. Seward was looked upon and
justly SO, as one of the most able men
in the senate He was not a great or
popular orator, neither was he gifted
with that personal magnetism SO con-
spicuous in many Of our statesmen.
But few of our public men reached
such eminence. He filled many posi-
tions with rare ability, and was the
choice Of the Empire state for the
presidency, During the war he con
ducted State affairs in masterly
manner. and near the close of the re-
bellior narrowly escaped death at the
hands Of an assassin. During his
lifetime he was pronounced liberal,
opposing lnowknothingism as he did
the extension Of the slave power For
many years he was the recognized
leader of the republican party; orig
mating many measures OF great ma
tional Importance. OF him it may be
truthfully said, he made history, and
Will be for all time recorded on its
pages as one Of the greatest of Amer
lean statesmen.
To William T. Seward, more than
any other man, are we indebted for
the purchase Of Alaska At the time
the treaty was affected he was subject
ed to severe criticism, generally by
person differing politically, and who
were moi so well informed as he was
on the extent and resources Of the vast
territory acquired from the Russian
government.
In 1863 Mr. Seward and party pro-
ceeded to Alaska, and received the
most cheering and cordial reception
from all classes. The Alaska Times"
heralded his arrival by sending out an
extra edition giving a sketch Of his
great life and service to his country.
During his stay in Sitks he was the
welcome guest Of William Sumner
Dodge, collector Of the port, and may
or Of the town. The military and ma
val officers, American and Russian
citizens, were equally anxious to do
him honor-doing everything in their
power to render his visit pleasant and
agreeable. After spending a week or
two at the capital Of Alaska, the Sec
Rotary, his son Frederick and Judge
Hastings visited the Chilcat country,
inhabited by numerous and power
full tribe Of Indians.
The presence at the time of Profes-
sor Davidson OF the Smithsonian In
stitute at Washington, accompanied
by corps Of assistants, made The
event most agreeable. There was
total eclipse of the sun observable in
that portion OF Alaska at the time
The arrival of Prof Davidson and
staff brought out the Cbilcat tribe Of
Indians in great force, and when the
eclipse came on, the warriors became
SCARED, rushing pell neil to the set
tlement and casting themselves pros
trate on the floor of their dwellings,.
To them it appeared that the world
had come to an end, also the happy
hunting ground. In a few minutes,
however. Old Sol came out bright and
shining as ever, and oh, what rush
the Indians made to have good look
at Professor Davidson. Their joy
and gladness was indiscribable, and
the Professor suddenly became the
greatest man in the world. Sec. Sew
ard was nowhere in comparison. No
wizard of the North no necromancer of
L. i IL ex.e>1.- ae..ll L ---lel u. =