William H.

Seward was a dedicated family man and a hardworking politician, but above

all he was a very influential leader. His actions and values influenced the nation as a whole and

helped better shape the human dignity, liberty, justice and equality systems that we are familiar

with to this day. He paved many amazing pathways such as Freemans Trial, The Irrepressible

Conflict Speech. and The Emancipation Proclamation. All three of these milestones had impact

not just on Sewards family, but on the nation as well.

Two of William Sewards biggest values were equality and justice, and both of these

values were put to use during the Freeman Trial. William Freeman was a young man when he

was sent to prison due to an accusation that he had stolen a horse. Due to the fact that Freeman

had a brain injury, his sanity was questioned which pushed Seward to fight for Freeman. At an

estimate of about 6 months after being released from prison, Freeman killed four Van Nest

family members in their own home. Freeman would have gotten off as a free man, however a

victim who survived the attack identified him and he was brought back to jail. Many people from

around the area wanted to see him hung, but Seward decided to keep defending him. He knew

that due to the fact that he was African and Native american he wouldnt have gotten a fair trial.

As stated in one of his many trial speeches The color of the prisoners skin, and the form of his

features, are not impressed upon the spiritual, immortal mind which works beneath. In spite of

human pride, he is still your brother; and mine, in form and color accepted and approved by his

Father; and yours, and mine, and bears equality with us the proudest inheritance of our

race--the image of our maker. Hold him to be a man. Seward strongly believed that Freeman

should not be responsible for an accusation that wasnt proven just due to the color of his skin.
He told the court that Freeman was pleading for insanity, however no one else agreed with him

so the court decided that he was sane and convicted him. Seward continued to fight and right

before the new trial was about to take place, Freeman passed away.

The Freeman Trial impacted Sewards family deeply. When people heard about the

family and about who/what William Seward was defending they became violent, the violence led

to people throwing rocks through the Seward house windows. However, even though the trial

could have potentially put the family in more danger than just broken windows, they pushed

through and kept standing up for their beliefs. On the other hand, this was a brand new scenario

for the nation. Equality and justice werent usually talked about because the society norm was to

go the white way, even if that way was not the right way.

Due to the fact that the percentage of slavery kept rising, a few years down the road

Seward made the Higher Law speech where he argued that California should be slavery-free. He

expressed that It is an irresponsible conflict between opposing and enduring forces, and it

means that the United States must and will, sooner or later, become either entirely a

slaveholding nation, or an entirely free-labor nation. During this speech he also made it

publicly known that he supported the abolition movement. A few years down the road from that

speech, the Irrepressible Conflict Speech came to life. William Seward made yet another address

about the issue of slavery and explained further that having slave states and free states wasnt

acceptable or fair, he wanted all states to be free states. Seward believed that the slave system

was intolerable, unjust and inhuman.

In both of the speeches human dignity and liberty were main values that were

continuously repeated and brought up. These speeches impacted the Sewards because their
beliefs and opinions were not common, which drew both positive and negative attention to the

family. However, because the Sewards views were not in the norm, the nation became

affected. People started to look deeper within themselves and question what they had been

taught. They started to think about whether they were for or against abolishment of slavery

which caused major controversy as people started becoming more vocal about their opinions.

The controversy started to catch politicians eyes which eventually lead for an even more

national impact.

Not too long after William Sewards speeches he risked his career to make sure that all

slaves became free, and that fugitive slaves would get a fair trial. In January of 1863 Seward was

involved in the signing of the official Emancipation Proclamation. The signing was not just a

significant moment in Sewards life, but it was a major significance to the nation. After the bill

was signed Seward was elected to be a part of the United States Secretary of State which

decreased negativity from being aimed towards his family. This proclamation demonstrated hope

for those who had lost it, and that is one of the main reasons that I believe that this is the most

significant milestone that William H. Seward inspired. Besides the re-creation of hope, this bill

helped the Union win against the Confederacy during the Civil War by adding new recruits for

extra men on the battlefield. Winning the Civil War had major impact and created many more

victories.

In conclusion, William H. Sewards life was extremely influential because he dedicated

himself to demonstrating human dignity, liberty, justice, and equality. Although he had many

milestones that shaped who he became and what he accomplished, Freeman's Trial, The

Irrepressible Conflict Speech and The Emancipation Proclamation were by far the three with the
most significant impact. The impact that he had on his family, and his nation will forever be

unforgettable, courageous and inspiring.

Sources:

http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/auchampaugh-the-full-story-of-william-seward-s-most-fa

mous/article_9050967d-d6ed-5f04-b283-e3883ba6ada4.html
 http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/emancipation-150/10-facts.html?referrer=https

://www.google.com/

http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/library/mr-lincolns-contemporaries/william-henry-

seward/

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/emancipation-150/william-h-seward-and-the.h

tml

** also used videos and pictures from the field trip