Evening journal., 1912-07-23
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Experience That Made
Seward Happy in Defeat
By Holland


told yesterday, on the authority
of the late Samuel l.. Blatchford. AS
sociate Justice OF the United States
Supreme Court from 1882 to 1883,
how Governor William II. Seward re-
ceived the news that the Republican
national convention at Chicago, in
May 1860. had nominated Abraham
Lincoln for president instead of
Seward, although when the con-
vention met Stewards nomination
was regarded as assured. Judge
Blatchford studied law in Governor
Stewards Office in Auburn. ~ Y, and
was for some years private secre-
tary of Governor Seward He was in
the most intimate personal and pro-
fessional relations with him.
"On the morning after the Repub-
lican national convention Of 1860 ad-
iourned," said Justice Blatchford,
Governor Seward went to the mar
ket in Auburn AT which he was ac-
customed to make his purchases for
his table.
He walked the streets perfectly
serene. He knew that his fellow cit
izens were watching him slyly and
shyly and he perceived that the
whole town of Auburn was in sor-
row. almost as great as though the
day was the time OF the funeral of its
most distinguished and best loved
citizen.
The disappointment felt in Au-
burn that Seward should have lost
the presidential nomination was OK
pressed i'm the countenances of every
one of the citizens Democrats and
Republicans alike grieved that their
fellow townsman, for whom, as a
citizen 'and a man, they entertained
the highest respect and whom they
greatly liked, had failed to secure the
Republican nomination for president.
Indeed, Governor Seward himself was
the only citizen of that town who
seemed 10 be without the slightest
tinge of disappointment.
las he was returning from the
market on his way home, he met a
friend OF many years who yentured
to stop him After shaking hands
with the governor, the friend said
Governor Seward. you are the
only man i'm this town who seems to
be Indifferent to the failure of the
Republicans to nominate you for
president at Chicago. wish you
would tell me what your philosophy
of life is, which has enabled you to
maintain perfect serenity
Why, there is no philosophy
about It, Governor Seward replied.
How coull l escape feeling serenity
and happiness?
The friend looked curiously at
Governor Seward, as if trying to dis
cover whether this aquinimity were
assumed by strong effort of will.
Governor Seward, noticing this look,
went on to say:
"'You know that for a good many
years l have been compelled to face
perfect storm OF criticism, attack
and censure. | have been called
many nard names. Now. suddenly
every one shows toward me the mosi
kindly disposition. This is not only
true Of Auburn, but it is true also ol
all parts of the United States from
which / have heard.
~ have received communications
from Democrats which az most
sympathetic and kindly. Newspapers
/ by the score have already come to
me, some Democratic. some Republi.
can: none Of them contains an un-
kind word about me. / am. as you
see. Just returning from the market
have had an experience on my way
there and back which ! think, is
without any precedent. have beer
like a man who. having died, has
nevertheless been able to walk about
the town and has heard many per
sons speaking many good thing
about him. DO you wonder that ! an
serene and happy@
Copyright. 1912, by E j. Edwards
All rifhts reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell o.
sThe Unofficial Suggestion That Lee