New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-09

and Weed did not distinguish themselves ~,
magnanimity when their junior partner VI
former years candidate for the Cn'.eu
States Senate in the winter OF 1S6O-oi'
We had hoped to learn from this volume why
IL was that during the winter prior 10 Lihco'
Inauguration. Seward maintained such serene
confidence that the dangers would soon p'o"
over 1t is we'll known that Thuriow "eeu
favored what substantially the Crittehoe'i
Compromise, which was return to the missouri
Compromise line for the Territories ana which
gave slavery certain other guarantees. IL IL true
that in some of his family letters Seward dis
claimed all responsibility for Weeds PROPOSE
tons; but the fact that Seward and Weed were
never more intimate than at this period makes
us discredit Mr. Lothrop's statement that sew
ard had in fact no knowledge OF the article
explaining Weeds position) before its publica-
tion' and Weed was alone responsible Tor IL.
Weed was in no sense a pro-slavery man. ana
he would have given the South no more than ne
honestly believed tc be necessary to save the
Union 1t is simply incredible that Weed should
have been so anxious and outspoken, while d
man as fertile in resources and AS eager 10 ieau
as Seward was should be In such state OF
mind as his biographer ndcates-He had no'h-
ing in view. plan but To walt, dritting Ike
the rest" The author soon adds: Besides his
conviction that the Fabian policy was the best.
Seward had another reas IN for silence lie
must have shared the general expectation that
he would be offered seat in Lincons Cabinet
and was therefore unwilling to make or assent
to any proposals which might not meet the APP
prevail of the incoming President or be in ac-
cord with the policy of his Administration This
was probably the chief reason why Seward wouid
not announce his policy. 1t is plain that the
III hoc NJ Uh m
fculties 1t seems little odd that he should
find in a dispatch Of Lord Lyons to Lord John
Russell what he regards as rather accurate
statement OF Stewards expectations. What LORD
Lyons wrote indicates that Seward meant to
make no vigorous opposition to the secession
movement but merely to drift along until after
the autumn election Of 1861. and that by that
time he hoped to make the issue squarely be-
tween union and dsunion. II Seward really had
such a policy or lack Of policy, as this 1t was
certainly less wise than Weeds; but the writer
fails TO notice that at several different times
Seward showed that he was in favor OF Ma
tional convention for revising the Constitution
Mr. Lothrops review OF the diplomatic ques-
tons Of Stewards term as Secretary or state
shows considerable study Of the numerous vol
umes Of diplomatic correspondence. and 1t Is the
first systematic effort to give Seward the high
place in diplomacy which he deserves. Some
may think that he would have been nearer the
correct historical view OF Englands attitude AT
the beginning Of the IL he had been further
away from the somewhat excited opinions which
we held when w were in constant fear or in
terventon But on the whole. the author has
given lucid account OF the chief questions
which were OF great concern during those years.
vet which have not been generally understood
since because they have been discussed hereto
fore in language that was too technical
While Seward member OF Johnsons
Cabinet he had opportunity TO complete the
difficult task Of expeng the French from Mexico
and To take the initial steps which caused Eng
land to pay substantial indemnity for allow
ing Confederate cruisers to escape from her
ports. Although he failed In his project To ac-
quire St Thomas and thereby missed getting
foothold In the West Indies. II was a great salts
faction to him 10 be able to realize his dream
OF extending our possesslonJ to the frozen but
rich Northwest II Is open secret that the
purchase Of Alaska was also regarded BY Russia
as an expression OF our appreciation OF her
friendly attitude toward us during the years OF
sore trial II there had been no other important
diplomatic questions to be solved. these alone
would have furnished ground for Mr.. Lothrops
theory that Seward remained In Johnson's Cabi-
net in order TO solve them and not 10 urge any
special method OF reconstruction.