The Washington herald., 1914-12-17
HISTORY BUILDERS.
How Secretary Steward Kept Diary.
BY DIR, f., j. EDWARDS.

When the diary Of GiGeon welles was
published, a few years ago. l was remind
ed Of a conversation which l once had
with Frederick w. Seward, in which he
related to me the manner in which his
father began to keep a diary on the first
day Of the administration OF President
Lincoln.
Gideon welles was Secretary Of the
Navy In the administration OF President
Lincoln He and Mr.. Seward, who was
Secretary OF State. were as unlike physi-
cally as they were temperamentally. Mr.
Welles was a large man. distinguished for
a heavy shock OF hair and beard OF
the kind sculptOrs sometimes represent
the philosophers OF classic days as wear
ing. Mr.. Seward was not over medium
height, slender. smooth shaven, his head
surmounted by a magnificent crown of
iron gray hair. which seemed always to
be rebellious, not mindful OF the brush.
Mr.. Welles was an intensely serious man
and appeared to have no sense Of humor.
Seward, on the contrary, while tremen-
dously in earnest, was. nevertheless, OF
companionable disposition, a delightful
narrator OF anecdotes and possessed OF
an infinite sense Of humor. These two
men. while respecting each the other and
admiring each others qualities. neverthe-
less were, because OF these tempe pCramen-
tai differences, not particularly Congenial.
Mr. Welles was thought to be oversuspi-
cious, and the publication Of his diary
was regarded by many as a justification
OF that opinion. He undertook from the
beginning OF the administration TO keep
a diary. and although at times he found
It irksome and there were days when he
was unable to make any entries at all,
nevertheless he persevered. His diary,
when published few years ago. furnish
ed many sidelights which illuminated the
inner councils OF Lincoln's administra-
tIon.
Several years before Mr. welles' diary
was published. in two large volumes, I
asked Frederick W. Seward II his father
had kept diary. saving that if he had
1t would now be invaluable as historical
document.
Il will tell YOU an amusing story about
my fathers diary" said Mr.. Seward He
made up his mind that there were to be
many interesting and important matters
associated with T.inColn's administration
of which the public could have no imme-
diate knowledge. but which in the future
would be of importance for any one who
purposed writing the history OF that time.
He therefore decided to keep a diary.
He bought a blank book of convenient
size and shape. intending to set down in
il every night before he went to bed
day which was worth recording. The first
day he wrote full page. and it was an
interesting page. But that was all he
ever wrote. have that diary still-one
written page. all the other leaves OF the
book blank. Father ascribed as the rea-
son for abandoning the plan the fact
that each day would he so crowded with
events that 1t would be impraCticable to
make a private record of them. Very
hn hot
task II was going to be. Fathers diary
OF LinColns administration consists OF
one page. which recorded what took place
on the second or third day Of the admin
istration."
Copyright. IsII by E. ]. Edwards. All rights n
sCrTed.)
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell Of
1.-The Rolling Mill Built by Gen. Sher-
man -