The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-30
AFAN1OUs pIsPArCH.

A Diplomatic Paper thhJ SHOWS tho
Greatuo's of Abraham Lincoln.
Underline title OF "a Famous Diplo-
matte Dispatch" The North american
Rcrienv, for April, publishes the full text
with a fac simiie, Of 1.-THE original dispatch
Of Mr.. Seward, as corrected by Mr., Lin.
coin, conveying to Mr.. Adams, our Min
lister at London, his first full instructions
after tho outbreak oEthe Rebellion" The
date OF the paper Ia May 81, 1861. Lin.
coin had been President but eleven weeks.
Seward was his Secretary OF State. Charles
Francis Adams had been sent to the Court
oil Saint Jameu, in place oil George NJ. Dali
las.
"Ths paper" says Mr.. Rice, "needs few
comments to bring Its remarkable char
RCter before the reader. The burdens OF
home affairs, when they lay heavily on
the new President, will readily occur TO
every student Of history. The countless
demands upon his tune gave little oppOr-
tunity for reflection, Prompt action was
required in all directions and In every.
thing, great and small But, as his handi-
work, now for the first time presented,
shows, he turned with perfect Composure
from the home TO the equally threatening
foreign field, and revised, Nth MASTER
hand the most important dispatch that
had as yet been reCelAed by Mr.. Seward"
On the sixth OF June, 1876, Mr.. Bolt-
we'll offered in the U. y. Senate resolu-
ton that "the President be requested, II
not In his opinion inconsistent with the
public interests, to furnish the Senate
with q facsimile copy OF the original draft
Of the letter 81 the Secretary Of State 10
the Minister Of the United States at the
Court OF st. James, In May, 1861, 10 rela.
ton to the proclamation Of Her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain, recognizing
the belligerent character Of the Conleder.
ate States"
This resolution was considered and
agreed 10, by unanimous consent, but no
reply was made to II, and the public heard
no more OF the matter until this remark
able State paper found It's way into the
hands OF the editor Of The North American
RerielO. It twill bear long aud continu-
GUS study" says Mr. Rice, land no one
can examine IL without acquiring a new
and more exalted estimate OF Mr.. Lin.
coins many.slded powers"
In fact, It Is the opinion OF many distin.
gulshed men, especially versed In dlplo.
matte courtesy and international affairs,
that LinColn's notifications Of Stewards
dispatch saved us from war with Eng.
land at that time.
A part Of this great State paper, in It's
original form, Is Ia the handwritingof Mr..
Seward, and other parts OF II were eyi.
IDENTIFY written, at his diCtation, by several
Of his clerks. The President went over
the document thus prepared, and ordered
numerous changes. He directed that
omissions be made; he smoothed asperi.
ties; he heightened the dignlilsd polite.
ness Of Mr.. Seward; lie changed even the
syntax Of the paper and no unparalleled
mind eau fail TO admit that every one Of
his changes was an improvement.
The article must be read entire for the
fall Significance Of this important contri.
button 10 history, as no condensation OF
It's compact matter is practicable. But let
rs Bee, as examples, few instances OF Mr..
l.incoln's notifications.
In the general opening Of his dispatch,
Me. Seward had said: 1--WE intend to
have clear and simple record Of whatever
issue may arise between Us and Great
Britain" The President doubtless felt
there was q touch Of harshness, II not q
tlnge Of buster, In these words, and that,
under the circumstances, II could safely
be spared 30 he wrote, "t,eave out" MI.
Seward had written Of the retiring Minis.
ter. 1.-THE President is surprised and
Vrleyed that Mr.. Dallas did not protest
against the proposed unofficial inter-
course bstWeen the British Government
aud the missionaries oil the insurgents, as
well against the demand fol expla.
nations made by the British Gov.
eminent" Mr.. Lincoln struck out
the phrase, Ills surprised and. grieved,"
and expressed his own attitude by the
single word "fegrets." Opposite the
phrase, "as we'll as against the demand
Tor explanations made by the British Gov.
eminent" he wfotsi "Leave out, because
II does not appear that explanations were
demanded" In reference 10 British In.
lefcoutse with the Southern Emission.
aries, Mr.. Seward had said "guCh inter.
course would be none the less wrongful. to
as for being unofficial" Mr. Lincoln
changed "wrongful" 10 "hurtiul,n thus
making no issue Of intention or morals,
bat only Of results.
But the most important change made by
the President was probably thls-Mf.
Seward had said!
IWhen this act Of intervention is die.
hhotly performed we, from that hour,