The Triumphant Fidelity of William H. Seward

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Evie Lauinger - Mount Saint Joseph Academy (Flourtown, PA)

A quote commonly attributed to Thomas Jefferson states,“In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock" (1) Fidelity is one of the most exceptional human virtues because it precisely demands the elusively difficult description in the latter half of
Jefferson’s quote. To expound, true fidelity requires an individual to surrender popularity and willingly endure the risks of public criticism for the sake of moral conviction. One American who embodies this definition of fidelity is a man who stood in the foreground of Civil War negotiations, the Alaska Treaty, and even paid for his convictions in blood when he quite literally took a knife for his country.

Recounted for his “stern integrity, earnest patriotism, and unswerving fidelity”, William Henry Seward maintained a steadfast devotion to his country and the principles of liberty and economic growth (2). During his years as a politician, he faced extreme backlash for his abolitionist views and support of Catholic immigrants against the Know Nothing movement , as well as relentless mocking for the 1867 purchase of Alaska. Furthermore, his voice put him in physical peril when a co-conspirator in Lincoln’s assassination, Lewis Powell, stabbed Seward so that he would be left with severe wounds on his face and neck (3). Nevertheless, Seward was determined that each decision would ultimately serve America’s posterity rather than his immediate political fortune, Eventually, he would secure success and a heroic legacy as a statesman and architect of
the Republican party. Because of Seward’s willingness to take risks and face retaliation for the
sake of his commitment to America’s future, he remains an undeniable model of fidelity to the
United States.

One of the earliest tests of Seward’s fidelity began with his devotion to the abolitionist cause, even when his commitments cost him political sacrifice. Seward used his speeches and diplomacy skills to turn the tide in favor of the Union nationally and abroad. In 1850, Seward’s “Higher Law” speech reframed slavery as an issue of moral pertinence rather than economic or geographical boundaries (4). Furthermore, his 1858 “Irrepressible Conflict” reasoned that any justification of slavery and claim that abolition would “tear apart the Union” created a paradox with the God-given natural rights to liberty and justice which the country was Constitutionally grounded in (5). Because his speeches were published during a time of obvious polarization surrounding slavery, Seward’s resolute attitude alienated many Americans, likely costing him the Republican presidential nomination of 1860 (6). Nevertheless, Seward manifested his fidelity throughout the Civil War, in which he served as a close adviser for Abraham Lincoln. In 1862, Seward was instrumental in the crafting of the Lyons-Seward Treaty with Great Britain, which imposed extensive restrictions on the Atlantic Slave Trade (7). Though often overshadowed by more prominent figures and events of the era, Seward’s achievements sacrificed recognition for greater national purpose. His undeniable contributions and service during the abolitionist and Civil War period were what made him a susceptible target for the assassination attempt conducted by Powell.

Continuing to pursue a grounded narrative in the defense of Constitutional natural-rights, Seward utilized his position as Secretary of State to support religious-liberty and equal opportunity for marginalized Catholic immigrants. Throughout the rise of the Know-Nothing Party in the 1850s, Seward fervently advocated in opposition to the restrictions placed on citizens due to their religious identity. However, a large number of politicians during this time, regardless of what they may realistically believed was ethical, adopted nativist sentiments to earn a political edge (8). Seward’s ideals in support of equal protection for all citizens further isolated him from specific groups of voters, though he remained unperturbed, and fought for the rights to education for Irish-Catholic immigrants in public schools (9).

Finally, and perhaps the most extreme test of Seward’s fidelity, arose from his personal conviction to make a decision which defied the opinions of the masses, but regardless, perpetuated the American spirit of economic innovation. The 1867 acquisition of Alaska from Russia was notoriously scrutinized and mocked by the media as “Seward’s Folly”. However, Seward himself declared, “The purchase of Alaska [was my greatest achievement], but it will take the people of the United States a generation before they realize it.” This scenario became an outward representation of Seward’s fidelity through his refusal to measure success in immediate approval. The legacy of his investment is evidence enough that his patience to endure ridicule would result in a vision which would generate benefits extending far beyond his lifetime. Fidelity is defying public opinion for the sake of America’s posterity, geopolitical state, and economic future. Indeed, the acquisition proved to be unimaginably lucrative, fortifying America’s position in the Pacific and generating billions of dollars in Gross Domestic Product through a rich supply of natural resources such as oil and gas mines (10). In summary, William Seward’s foresight, irrespective of his ability to predict the exact outcomes of this purchase, proves that fidelity requires the courage to invest in possibilities which others may not wholly see.

William Henry Seward’s life serves as a testament that principles may endure doubt before resulting in genuine success, hence the necessity of perseverance which functions in tandem with fidelity. Similar to the simple message of the children’s fable The Ant and the Grasshopper, decisions made to invest in the future of a society are unlikely to appear at the start. Yet after time, these decisions, or a steadfastness to the highest ideals of the nation, will promise tangible differences in the future. Seward stood to act as the rock described in Jefferson’s words, remaining unmoved in the currents of public opinion and political disarray for several decades of immense nationwide developments. His patriotic legacy continues to serve as a reminder that the greatest rewards may not rest in the individual, but in the future, most clearly demonstrated through his clear strides to forward the abolishment of slavery, protect fundamental religious liberties, and secure America’s geopolitical future. For these reasons, William Henry Seward is the epitome of American fidelity.

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(1) Rhoades, T. (2024). In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like

a rock. Chemistrystaffing.Com. https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/in-matters-of-style-swim-

with-the-current.-in-matters-of-principle-stand-like-a-rock.

(2) Vodrey, William F.B. “William H. Seward and Civil War Diplomacy – the Cleveland Civil
War Roundtable.” The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable, 17 May 2020,
www.clevelandcivilwarroundtable.com/william-h-seward-and-civil-war-diplomacy/.

(3) Pappas, Theodore N., et al. “The Attempted Assassination of William H. Seward: Analysis of
His Nonfatal Head and Neck Injuries - PMC.” National Library of Medicine, 30 Dec. 2024,
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11932615/.

(4) Reprinted from Robert C. Byrd, The Senate, 1789-1989: Classic Speeches, 1830-1993.
Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1994.

(5) "An Irrepressible Conflict.” (n.d.-a). In Teaching American History. Retrieved July 30, 2026,
from https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/an-irrepressible-conflict/

(6) William H Seward (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). In www.nps.gov. Retrieved July 30,
2026, from https://www.nps.gov/people/william-h-seward.htm.

(7) Avalon Project - British-American Diplomcay : Treaty between United States and Great Britain
for the Suppression of the Slave Trade; April 7,1862. (n.d.-b). In avalon.law.yale.edu. Yale Law School (Lillian Goldman Law Library). Retrieved July 28, 2026, from
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/br1862.asp.

(8) Clements, J. (2022). Seward wasn’t perfect, but his story is part of our history. In The Fulcrum.
https://thefulcrum.us/civic-engagement-education/william-seward.

(9) Dexter Perkins, "William Henry Seward," DAB, 16: 615-21; Van Deusen, Seward.
https://www2.tulane.edu/~sumter/Seward.html.

(10) NCC Staff. (2023). Remembering William Seward’s Alaska ‘folly’ - National Constitution
Center. In National Constitution Center – constitutioncenter.org.
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/remembering-william-sewards-alaska-folly.