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party from 1830 to 1860. His ambition was not to hold office but to rule
men, and it is well-known that his desires were accomplished. He was a
great dictator, being largely instrumental as an independent advisor in the
selection of Harrison, Taylor and Scott. His first trial of personal strength in
this line was when he secured the nomination and election of his personal
friend, William H. Seward, as the first Whig Governor of New York. Mr.
Seward, who was an unobtrusive man, was one time riding with the driver
on a stage when that dignitary asked the stranger his name and business, as
was customary when people did not volunteer the information. The answer
was, "Why, I'm William H. Seward, Governor of the State." This was too
good for the driver, whose answer was a loud laugh, plainly implying that

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he considered that the gentleman had given a most cute but evasive answer.
"Don't you believe me?" asked Seward. "Of course not," replied the driver.
Mr. Seward, who was acquainted with the proprietor of the next hotel they
came to, agreed to leave it to him. In time they arrived and the driver,
calling out the landlord, immediately said, "This man says he is Governor
of New York State and we have left the matter to you." "Yes," broke in
Seward, "am I not Governor of this State?" The answer came quick and
sharp; "No, but Thurlow Weed is." "There," exclaimed the ignorant driver,
who could not see the point at once; "I knew you weren't Governor of New
York State."
In 1864 Mr. Weed sold the 
Journal
, but never entirely suspended literary
work. He afterward assumed the editorship of the 
New York Commercial
Advertiser
, and often sent letters to the 
Tribune
. In 1882, shortly before his
death, the country was set in a flutter by his publishing the whole details
relating to the Morgan matter, which he had kept all this time claiming it
would injure certain parties, but as the last had died, it was now made
public. On November 23rd of the same year one more great journalist
passed away. He left a large estate, but a larger host of friends.

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