Hon William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
April 6, 1861; Harper’s Weekly
THE Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, whose portrait we publish on the preceding page, is one of the foremost representative men of the age. Few of his fellow-citizens are unwilling to render the due tribute to his intellectual ability, while his party regard him as the champion of human freedom and of progress.
Mr. Seward was born in the village of Florida, Orange County, New York, on the 16th day of May, 1801. Of an active disposition, and possessing an inquiring mind, he mastered the rudiments of education at an early age, and in 1816 entered Union College, at Schenectady, where he greatly distinguished himself as a diligent student. Having graduated with high honors, he went to New York city in 1820, and commenced the study of the law in the office of Hon. John Anthon; but the next year returned to his native county, where he completed his legal studies in the office of Hon. Ogden Hoffman, at that time District Attorney.
In 1822 Mr. Seward was admitted to the bar, at Goshen, and soon afterward he removed to Auburn, where he entered into partnership with his future father-in-law, Judge Miller, and where he has since resided. Devoted to the interests of his numerous clients, the young practitioner soon gained a high reputation, and enjoyed a lucrative practice.
Mr. Seward became identified with the “Anti-Masonic” party in this State, and in 1828 was the President of a Young Men’s State Convention, at Utica, in favor of the reelection of John Quincy Adams to the Presidential chair. In 1830 he was elected to the Senate of the State of New York, where he at once distinguished himself as a Reformer.
Having served four years as State Senator, Mr. Seward was persuaded, in 1834, to accept a nomination for Governor, in opposition to Hon. William L. Marcy, who then held the position. He was defeated ; but two years later he was more successful, defeating his veteran opponent by ten thousand majority. In 1840, after the memorable “Harrison campaign,” in which he took an active part, he was triumphantly reelected.
In 1843 Governor Seward, having declined a re-nomination, settled down at Auburn to enjoy the comforts of domestic life, and to devote himself to his profession, in which he since occupied a leading position. His practice was varied and extensive, embracing many important patent cases and other civil suits; while at the same time he was regarded as one of the best criminal lawyers in the State of New York.
The nomination of General Taylor in 1848 as the Whig candidate for President was regarded by Governor Seward as one eminently “fit to be made,” and he entered into the canvass with great zeal. The State of New York gave Taylor and Fillmore a large majority; and when the Legislature assembled Governor Seward was elected to the United States Senate by a vote of 121 to 30. It was expected that he would have been the controlling spirit of the Taylor Administration; but the untimely death of the President completely changed the aspect of political affairs at Washington.
Senator Seward was one of the most earnest opponents of the “Compromise Measures” passed by the Thirty-First Congress. “I feel assured,” said he, in his famous speech of March 11, 1850, “that slavery must give way, and will give way, to the salutary instructions of economy and to the ripening influences of humanity; that emancipation is inevitable and is near; that it may be hastened or hindered; that all measures which fortify slavery or extend it tend to the consummation of violence –all that check its extension and abate its strength tend to its peaceful extirpation. But I will adopt none but lawful, constitutional, and peaceful means to secure even that end; and none such can I or will I forego.”
In the Presidential campaign of 1852 Senator Seward advocated the election of General Scott, although he did not approve of the “platform.” The disastrous result, which brought about a dissolution of the old “Whig party,” did not appear to discourage the Senator from New York, who took bold and decided ground against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, which he denounced in two able speeches.
In February, 1855, Senator Seward was re-elected by a combination of Whig, American, and Anti-Slavery Representatives, who then laid the foundation of the present Republican party, of which he is the acknowledged leader. It was, however, deemed expedient, at the ensuing Presidential election, to place Colonel Fremont in nomination ; and Mr. Seward labored on his behalf with the same energetic zeal which had marked his exertions to promote the success of Clay, of Taylor, and of Scott.
After the adjournment of Congress in the summer of 1859 Senator Seward again visited Europe, extending his tour to “the Orient.” He was every where received with marked distinction, and was the guest of the sovereigns of the principal governments.
When the Chicago Convention met in May, 1860, it was generally expected that he would be the candidate of the party. He was passed over, and Mr. Lincoln was selected in his stead. He did his share of the campaign; he stumped the entire Northwest, and part of New England and New York, speaking every where to enormous audiences, and no doubt contributed largely to the success of the party. It was generally understood that he would not accept office, at least at home, under Mr. Lincoln; but the unexpected troubles which followed the election compelled him to reverse this intention, and he accepted the post of Secretary of State as soon as it was offered him. His speeches in the Senate, which were delivered shortly afterward, have been justly regarded as expositions of the policy of the administration. In office, Mr. Seward is understood to be in favor of conciliation and delay, in the hope that time will mitigate the asperities of the pending civil contentions.
In personal appearance Senator Seward is remarkably unassuming, of middle size, with light hair toned down by age, prominent features, and heavy, overhanging eyebrows. His smile is cordial, and there is a luminous depth in the searching glance of his keen eyes that betrays a warm heart. Married, early in life, to a daughter of Judge Miller, of Auburn, he has two sons and two daughters, and a portion of his family have always accompanied him to Washington whenever his duties have called him there. No man has a larger circle of devoted friends, and no public personage of our time enjoys a higher reputation as a cultivated, high-toned gentleman. Politicians of every phase meet at his hospitable board, which is enlivened by his inexhaustible reminiscences and sparkling wit.