Evening journal., 1915-01-25
New News Of Yesterday
Stewards Dream of Ameri-
can Greatness
BY Holland.

81 suppose that everybody in the
United states believed when IL was
announced that William n. Seward. |
Secretary of State, acting for the
United States government, had bought |
what was called Russian America
now known as Alaska-by the pay
ment OF $7.2OO,0OO to Russia that he
did II because tho idea occurred to
him at the time of the civil war when
Russia sent her navy 10 the United
states with intent to prevent England
and France from undertaking tol
break the blockade of the Southern
ports. That was the impression
which prevailed at the time Seward
made the purchase and I have no
doubt that Il will always prevail"
This statement was made 10 me
some years ago by Commodore Al
fred Van Santvoord who was for
many years a loyal political follower
of William ". Seward. He was al
ready beginning the active career
which at last made him the dominant
figure I'm Hudson River steamboat
transportation when MIR. Seward was
first elected governor In 1899. Sew
ard never passed through Utica
which was the commodorc's early
home without calling upon the com
modores father or receiving a call
from the senior Van Santvoord. Gov.
Stewards intense interest I'm the ma
terial development not only of New
York State, but of the United States,
was frequently revealed In conver-
sation with Commodore Van SAINT
voord. The commodore was. there
fore, In a position to- know that many
years before Seward bought Alaska
from Russia he contemplated the
purchase by the United states OF
Russian North America.
81 happen TO know that Gov. Sew
ard. when he was a United States
Senator from New York. frequently
said to his friends that the United
States ought TO possess the entire
Pacific Coast line of the North Ameri
can continent" continued Commodore
Van Santvoord. Unfortunately. W
could not secure part of that coas
line because Great Britain alread,
possessed IT,, but he hoped the dal
would come when We would be abl
10 get the coast line which was within
the sovereignty of Russia.
81 think. however. the FIRST publi
reference that Seward ever made q
his belief that tho United State
ought To have Alaska was in a speec
which he made at 81, Paul before IN
Presidential election ef 1850
Seward was always greatly i'm
pressed with the future of the nc
gion of which ST. Paul and Mime
apolis arc the center lie believe
that the great commercial metror
oils of the West would some da
he established there. He was full {
this idea when he visited st. PAT
and he alluded to the fact that 1
that region the headwaters of Nh
two mighty streams of the America
continent, ono of which flowed to N
Gulf of Mexico and the other TO IN
Atlantic. at the Gulf of St Lawrenc
practically found their sources. The
there was the unknown but maiest
Northwest After alludng to tn
geographical advantage. Seward sa
that ultimately the ports. harbors ar
facilities which Russia possessl
upon the American continent wou
surely become the possession of Il
United States. for while this va
territory and It's Pacific Coast In
could he of no advantage To Russ
1t would be of inconceivably gre
advantage TO the United States.
THAT speech was made befo
Seward became Secretary Of Sta
and he did not complete the purcha
of Russian America until nearly Gig
{ years had passed"
Copyright. 1915. by T. J. Edward
All rights reserved.
p Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
"The First Rich American Minist