It
was the tide in Seward's affairs, but he did not take it at the
flood."[467]

[Footnote 467: James F. Rhodes, _History of the United States_, Vol.
2, p. 69. See also p. 68. "Seward," says the historian, "had the
position, the ability and the character necessary for the leadership
of a new party. He was the idol of the anti-slavery Whigs.... Perhaps
his sympathies were heartily enlisted in the movement for a new party
and he was held back by Thurlow Weed. Perhaps he would have felt less
trammelled had not his senatorship been at stake in the fall election.
The fact is, however, that the Republican movement in the West and New
England received no word of encouragement from him. He did not make a
speech, even in the State of New York, during the campaign. His care
and attention were engrossed in seeing that members of the Legislature
were elected who would vote for him for senator." On July 27, 1854,
the New York _Independent_ asked: "Shall we have a new party? The
leaders for such a party do not appear. Seward adheres to the Whig
party." In the New York _Tribune_ of November 9, Greeley asserted that
"the man who should have impelled and guided the general uprising of
the free States is W.H. Seward."]

Looking back into the fifties from the viewpoint of the present, this
suggestion of the distinguished historian seems plausible. Undoubtedly
Thurlow Weed's judgment controlled in 1854, and back of it was thirty
years of successful leadership, based upon the sagacity of a statesman
as well as the skill of a clever politician. It was inevitable that
Weed should be a Republican. He had opposed slavery before he was of
age. The annexation of Texas met his strenuous resistance, the Wilmot
Proviso had his active approval, and he assailed the fugitive slave
law and the Nebraska Act with unsparing bitterness. With a singleness
of purpose, not excelled by Seward or Sumner, his heart quickly
responded to every movement which should limit, and, if possible,
abolish slavery; but, in his wisdom, with Know-Nothings recruiting
members from the anti-slavery ranks, and the Whig party confident of
success because of a divided Democracy, he did not see his way safely
to organise the Republican party in New York in 1854. It is possible
his desire to re-elect Seward to the United States Senate may have
increased his caution. Seward's re-election was just then a very
important factor in the successful coalition of the anti-slavery
elements