New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16
literary CRITICISM
AND BOOK NEWS
frederick w. Stewards Memories Of Public
Affairs and Men-Lincoln's True Attitude
in the Trent Case

Governors Mansion 40 Albany He
grew up IN the world o. politics. in
which his father doomed steadily larger
and larger as a leader nm his own state
New York. and in the nation.
He was just out % college when he
had a chance 20 serve as private sec
rotary TO his father, who had been
elected to tho United States Senate
His first two years az the Capitol
we're the years Of the famous Slavery
Compromises favored by Clay, Webster
and Calhoun. He heard Clay and Cal
houn, and Webster's fatal Seventh Of
March" speech; he saw the compro-
mise bills passed and the Fugitive Slave
law fastened on the the country.
In 1851 he went TO Albany 70 work
on Thurlow Weeds newspaper, The
Albany Evening Journal an environ
ment IN which Wing politics WAS the
breath Of life' lie served under his
father as Assistant Secretary Of State
throughout the War and through john
sons Administration, and was recalled
10 the same post in 1877 by President
/ Hayes He was at the very focus Of
national life for eight of the most
critical years Ia American history
close association with the greatest
figures IN the Civil War drama. HIS
/ field Of experiences WAS vast the ma
terial afforded for reminiscent discus
/ sion unlimited.
Il IS 10 be regretted that the su-
thor's attitude toward that material
was not little different that he was
not q little more absorptive and criti-
cal. The diaries Of Secretary Wellc5
have now an enormous historical
value. So will the diaries Of Mr..
George 3. Cortelyou, covering the Nc
. Kinley- Roosevelt period, have when
thew are published. The elder Seward
never cultivated the diary habit. His
SON relates this aneodote;
One day, during his first week i'm
the Department Of State, my father
requested me TO get a blankbook
for him. remarking that as the
epoch would probably be one Of
historic importance, he should
begin diary. A suitable book
was obtained and laid upon his
table. On the following morning
lie came out Of his room with the
book I'm his hand. in giving II
back TO me he said: "1here IS the
first page of my diary and the last
One DAYS record satisfies me that
II should every day set down my
hssty impressions, based OF NAH
information. 7 should do injustice
to everybody around me, and TO
none moro than my intimate
friends
A humans judgment perhaps. but
one which every student Of American
history must deplore John Quincy
Adams may have done many lnJustlces
20 CONTEMPORARIES in his colossal Diary
but what 2 splendid frst-hand histoil-
cal document il is. Would that there
were dozens more like II!
The Younger Seward kept some diary
records. Large sections of this volume
describe in diary form the trips be
made with his father TO the west
Indies. 70 Alaska and 10 Mexico, and
trims OF his own to Canada and Santo
Domingo. But there is d marked pau
CITY of running comment on the figures
and happenings of the great War Bra
There are, for instance, only two or
three references Of any consequence 20
Lincoln. scarcely any 10 Chase, stanton
and the other members Of the Cabinet,
and few 10 the leaders II the war Con-
crosses. ,,.,.,.
On one question affecting Lncoln's