New-York tribune., 1909-02-13
SEWARD ON LINCOLN
Personal INSTRUCTIONS.
Son of the Wdr Secretary of State
Speaks at auburn.
tnv Telegraph to tn. Tribune ]

Auburn, n Y. Feb 12-GeneraI Wf1iam n Sew
ard OF LincolU's Secretary Of State. was the
principal speaker to-day at the celebration Of the
Cayuga County Historical Society His theme vss.
Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln" Re-
ferring TO the ira sedy OF Lincoln's death, the
speaker said: ITO and my family his death had
especial shock. linked with IL was the attempt
10 ssassiuate my father"
Referring LincoIn's prediction for telling
stories, General Seward said: "I have often heard
him tell his famous stories, sometimes at serious
official gatherings and. though droll and amusing.
think he told them to relieve the sense OF crush
ing responsibility then resting upon him. There
were many occasions when talked with him inti-
mately, especially during my army life, one or two
of which at least I may mention here.
Perhaps my most cherished recollection is one
which have not felt at liberty to relate until to-
day 1t was military commission he once per-
sonally intrusted me. II early in 1858. and
Virginia. special messenger came to me with an
order to report al headquarters in Washington
After exceedingly muddy ride OF more than
twenty miles I reported In little less than three
hours. covered with mud and making anything but
8 respectable appearance. I was told that the
President wished to see me at once. Looking more
like tramp than soldier. should probably not
have been admitted to the White House except for
the fact that 1 well known to the old porter
at the door.
INSTRUCTIONS FROM LINCOLN.
II shown into the library, where found Mr..
Lincoln, who greeted kindly. saying in sub
stance We wish to communicate with General
Banks. in New Orleans. Just about to start
his campaign through the Teche country. All COM
munication by land being cut off, our messenger
must go by sea. and as this takes long time It Is
probable that his army will be well advanced in
Louisiana before you reach him. Most OF this
country is hostile but General Banks must be found
wherever he may be. You will therefore have to
take the chance Of riding alone. guard which
you could take would be of sufficient protection
Our dispatch, which is now being prepared I'm the
War Department. is Of great Importance and must
not fail into the enemy's hands. Commit your dis
patch to memory; conceal it. and In case OF possible
capture destroy it. Start tonight, II possible. and
now goodby. my boy. God bless you"
He grasped me by the hand and. looking into my
face with his deep. sad eyes. bads me farewell
My body tngling with enthusiasm 70 carry out his
commission, I FASTENED to the War Department
where my interview with Secretary Stanton was
much more formal and military. I found him
standing at his high desk. as he most always did
when at work. looking sharply over the top OF his
spectacles- He said briefly:
Colonel. the President has explained TO you
what want. Can yoy DO IT.
II answered simply Yes
The dispatch Is ready. Don't let It fall into
rebel hands Good night. sirT he said ss I re-
ceived il.
AFTER tempestuous voyage Of more than four
ten days the government transport Blackstone,
during which fire and mutiny occurred. reached
New Orleans. only to md that General Banks had
been. gone more than week. After an exciting
ride of one hundred miles through the enemys
cred my dispatch.
The prophetic answer made by President Lincoln
to my brother Frederick who sent TO PhiladeI-
phia Mr. Lincoln OF an attempt TO be made
upon his life as he about TO pass through
Baltimore on his way to be inaugurated as Prest-
dent at Washington in 1861. indicates his love for
the Union. Although he needed that warning. he
said: Mr.. Seward, would almost rather be assas-
sinated than to have the Union fall
General Seward concluded his address follows:
1T will not be Inappropriate for to recall to-
day what said here in Auburn soon after Lin
coins DEATH by my father his Secretary OF State.
who speaking from the steps Of our home few
doors away. said:
We have lost the great and good Abraham
Lincoln. He had reached stage or moral con-
sideration when his alone. If encircled with
a martyrs wreath would be more useful 10
humanity than his personal efforts could be bene-
fetal to any one country her chosen Chief
Magistrate. He is associated with Washing
ton The two American chiefs, though they are
dead still live. and they leading the entire
human race to a more spirited progress toward
fields OF broader liberty and higher Civilization.