The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-08
III.


We turn with curiosity TO a description
Of the effect produced by William H. Seward
on the mind OF the youthful German student
Of American politics. There was to me-
we read, something mysterious in h slim.
wiry figure, the thin. sallow face, the
~Overhanging eyebrows and the munied
voice OF the Senator from New York. I
had read some Of his speeches and admired
especially those he had delivered on the
Compromise Of 1850. The broad sweep Of
philosophical reasoning and the bOldness
% statement and prediction I found in
them, as we'll as the fine flow OF their Ian
guage, had greatly C~aptivated my magma
ton" After having pictured Seward to
himself az an imposing parsonage OF over
awning mien and commanding presence,
young Schurz was much disappointed
when he first Jaw the quiet little man who
as he moved about on the floor OF The Sen
ate chamber seemed to be on hardly less
friendly terms with the Southern Senators
than with the Northern-his speeches, in
deed. we're always personally polite 10
everybody and whose e~locution was
scarcely distinct and never sounded a
resonant note Of challenge or defiance.
Nevertheless. . Seward made upon Mr..
Schurz, a. he did upon many others, the
impression Of a man who controlled hidden
occult powers. which he could bring into
play il he would. II is pronounced prob
able that the flavor Of w~eirdness in his
personal appearance and voice and the
~oraoular tone Of many Of his utterances
did much to strengthen that impression. l
nave 20 confess hat he exercised a strong
fascination over me until l came into per-
sonal contact with him"
II seemed TO the German observer that
Salmon p. Chase. the anti-slavery Senator
from Ohio. was one OF the stateliest figures
in the Senate. Tall, broad shouldered
and proudly erect. his features strong and
regular and his forehead broad. high and
clear, he was a picture Of intelligence,
strength. courage and dignity. He looked
as you would wish a statesman to look. His
speech. indeed, did not borrow any charm
from rhetorical decoration, but il was clear
and strong in argument, vigorous and de.
termined in tone, elevated in sentiment
and Of the frank righteousness which com.
mands respect and inspires confidence.
During this visit TO Washington the author
of these recollections did not hear Charles
Sumner speak. but the impression made
on him by the Senator from Massachusetts
was hat Of a gentleman OF refinement anC
self-respect. reminding Mr.. Schurz Of some
Englishmen Of distinction that as a German
refugee he had seen in London. He va
tall and we'll built. his handsome but stron1
face Swallowed by a wealth Of dark locks
He was justly called good looking" Hi
smile had a peculiar charm. He was talkeS
Of as a man Of great learning and cultur,
and Of that kind Of courage which is un
conscious OF difficulty or danger and which
even in the spring Of 1884 was said TO hav,
made the Southern pro-slavery Senator
stare in angry wonder.
Equally lifelike are the sketches Of tire
southern senators who struck Mr.. Sohur
as types. One of these was Senator Butte
from South Carolina, on whose behalf
Representative from that State subse
quently struck the blow which Injuries
Sumner so severely. or Butler we hea
that his rubicund face, framed in lOnu
silver white hair, The merry twinkle of hi
eve and his mobile mouth marked him a
n man of bubbling good nature n a iovis
companion. He was said to have had
liberal education and TO be fond Of quotin
Horace. On the floor he frequently scene
to he engaged in gay and waggish con
versatiOn with his nciGhbors. When SLAYER
was attacked. however. he was apt 20 far
ND hercely, to assume the naughty air O
the representative OF a higher class and
fluent and high sounding phrase to max
the Northern man feel the superiority q