New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-05

as liable to produce enmity, and who would nave
stood by and seen the Union perish rather imam
draw the sword to save it. Seward was very
different man from Webster, though he held Win
the latter in the necessity Of saving the Union
He could not approve Webster's seventh ol March
speech Between them arose a temperamental par
rier Seward belonged to higher order than
Webster The latter possessed purely lntellectual
supremacy; but his intellect was wholly material
Stewards, on the other hand, was purified ana
Illuminated by a spiritual element, ana thlS
spiritual element it was that gave him, at crltl-
cal moments, something of prophetic lnslght'
something OF inspiration. His pledge of allegiance
to the Union is as noble if not so picturesque as
that of the Marshfeld orator. His appeal 10 the
higher law as the true criterion of craftsmanship
marks a higher level than Webster ever at
tanned to.
And when, his political ambitions disappointed
(nor did any man ever bear such a defeat more
sweetly), he Joined the Cabinet OF Lincoln ana
faced the most tremendous problem of modern
times. he instantly rose to the occasion with
the first act of secession. he adopted as motto
"The time for compromise is past, and upon that
princ,ple be acted thenceforth. These volumes
show as IN has never been shown before. in what
spirit and after what manner he conducted the af-
fairs of his own Department To the average eye
the situation was equally desperate at home ana
abroad France and England apparently stood
ready 10 recognize the Southern COnfederacy and
TO refuse recognition to the Northern blockade
At first the diplomatic situation was wholly i'm
practicable, inasmuch as the principal missions
were held by Southerners or men in sympathy with
the South. Reorganization was thus the first ne
cessity. and this accomplished, a system or policy
had to he adopted Seward had made up his mind
before the new Administration was month
old, and had laid his views briefly
synopszed before the President, who ac-
ceptcd Ills Secrctary's foreign policy with few
alterations Stewards plan was simple, but not
easy Whatever happened he was resolved to
hold up the head Of the Government abroad
From the first his instructions to the ministers OF
the United States at foreign courts assumed
resolution. a frmness, a precision of calculations
and anticipatons, breathing an Intense and almost
fierce confidence in the issue of the conflict. OF
course this tone resented by fowefs that
hoped TO find in the situation a means of hasten
ing the destruction of a Government whose very
existence was standing menace 10 ahSOutism
and the monarchical principle. But though they
might resent the Secretary's tone, they could
not but he influenced by it. and there can be
no doubt at this time that Stewards dauntlcss IN
trepidity affected the course of both England and
France.
The Trent affair was great trial to him. but 1t
only proved his sterling metal AS jurst he
perceived at once that the seizure was in Violation
of the law of nations. AS a statesman he knew
that the United States could not defend the act
without stultifying itself AS a patriot he recog-
nized the necessity of subordinating all eXternal
differences to the primary duty of suppressing the
Rebellion. lie knew, Of course, that public opln-
ion would at the outset be strongly against SUD
mission to England'S demand. but his duty ana
the right Law clear in his mind, and he proceeded
without wincng. All stories Of hesitation on his
part are untrue. This memoir proves that he at
no time doubted how the law Of the stood.
or the necessity of yielding in the circumstances.
He did Weld. and after the inevitable popular
outburst of mistaken indgnaton-an outburst,
it should he added strongly reinforced by all the
Northern elements in sympathy with the South
a reaction occurred, and with surprising quickncss
the people came to appreciate SewarI's course
more Justly and clearly. Meantime he left moth
ing undone that would enhance the prestige of
the Federal Government abroad. Among his
happy thoughts at this time that of sending
bulletins explaining the progress Of the war to
all our representatives abroad so that they could
keep the Government to which they were accred-
tied fully ard accurately informed, and fore
stall any Confederate attempts to mslead such
governments.
No more striking proof of Stewards faith ard
foresight can perhaps be found than consists in
his constant efforts enlarge the territorial
boundaries Of the Union. 1t was a truly prophetic
inspiration which led him to acquire Alaska, and
how far in advance of his time he was on this
point is shown in the opposition and the ridicue
his northern project encountered. Ills vision was
I of.o r. Il.
republic He was quick to see the need Of naval
stations near our coasts in commanding positions,
and though his treaty for the Danish West Indies
was rejected by Congress on tenable grounds,
the general principle on which Seward acted
was right and the country knows il now, but
he met the fate Of all who have wider views
than their contemporaries. To-day those who OPP
posed him when the work was to be done eulo-
eize him, and would follow his initiative if OPP
po-tinity served, probably All through the
war he held up Lincoln's hands, and
at the same time maintained the dignity and
honor of the Union abroad. We have never had
stronger or a wiser Secretary of State. His
dispatches are excellent reading. even now full of
insight, clear perspicuOus, shrewd, and breathing
indomtabe resolution.
So with the Franco-MeXican question, which he
handled with mastery deXterity, conducting it TO
an issue creditable 70 the United States il was
disastrous TO Louis Napoleon. 1t might indeed be
said that the fall Of the Empire vas sounded,
not when the surrender AT Sedan took place, but
when Hazaine re-embarked the French troops and
left Mexico TO her own devices and Macmillan
Ia the platoon of Qucretaro. II was Stewards
hand that accomplished this stroke II was he
who gathered the evidence upon which the Gcncya
award against England was subsequently based.
All through the war hc took notes Of every wrong
done the Union by foreign Powers, and when the
time came he eXacted reparatiOn with scrupuloHs
nsistence. No statesman was ever more cXigcnt
for his country, nor was any statesman ever more
just. In pcruslng this memoir trace his
life from infancy through school, college, the bar
politics, Ofice-from State Legislator to the Chief
Secretary of the Federal Cabinct,-and we can
study his conduct in almost every imaginable con-
junction. Nowhere DO we come upon n trace Of
anything, we will not say discTedtabe, hut even