It is also acknowledged that he does not lack common sense.

But his other qualities for the highest office are practically unknown.

His election may therefore be readily compared with a lottery.

It is possible that the United States has drawn the first prize, on the other hand the gain may only have been a small one.

But unfortunately the possibility is not excluded that it may have been merely a blank." The first paragraph of this quotation reports Seward's opinion; the second is apparently Schleiden's own estimate.