New-York daily tribune., 1844-08-05
The Wings and Civil Liberty-Letter
from Governor Seward.

The following from Gov. SEWARD TO The Wa
tervie Mass Meeting embodes truths which
can1ot be too often impressed on the public mind
Nay we not hope that they will every where be
needed
I'T1cA July g. 1874.
My dear Sir:--Al,hough 1 explained to the
respected friends who delivered your letter, the
absout engagements which prevented my &C
cepting the invitation of the Watervi!le Clay
Club. that courtesy demands more formal &C
knowledgement.
am deeply impressed By your statement OF
the claims of the Wings of Southern Oneida
upon the advocates of the Wing cause, and am
grateful for being remembered among them. !
cannot doubt that my brethren and friends who
may be discngaeed will acknowledge those claims
and will bring 10 the Mass Meeting at Water
vile talents so certain to be appreciated.
You state strongly, my dear Sir, the contradc-
ton that, although the agricultural interest oi
our country, vitay depends on Protection, which
is the Wing policy and is opposed by our oppo-
ncnts, yet very many farmers in your vicinity are
easily persuaded that those opponents may be
safely entrusted with the conduct Of the Govern,
ment.
If my friends at Waterville would allow free
dom of speech to one who always acquiesccs
che rfu!ly, though overuled in council, / would
suggest what l consider the cause Of that strange
| inconsistency.
Although immediate interest in questions Of ad.
minis,raton controls the votes of many, and al.
ects the political action of all men, yeti is not
the ONLY OF the chief element Of division III the
| Republic. There are sentiments OF patriotic de.
votion to the country, Of equality, of freedom, Of
beHevolence, and Of progress, pervading the minds
of the American people, and citizens fall into
one or The other party as they are more or less
influenced by these sentiments and think they dis
cover their prevalence in the spirit Of the respec-
tive parties. These principles are independent
of mere matters OF administration like the Tariff,
and are always active in their operation; while
matters Of administration seldom efectually OBJ.
tain consideration except in the discussions im.
medately preceding popular elections. Though
believe that these principles are equally cherish,
ed by both parties generally, it has long been the
studied labor of our opponents TO claim super
ority in the adoption and practice of them. !
have noticed with regret that occasionally
Whig press or Wing leaders either from honest
distrust of these principles or from the mere in
stnct Of opposition assumes, the attitude Of oppo
stlon to them which is assigned to the Wing par
ty by their adversaries, and thus the whcle party
suffer for the errors Of an individual whose course
they dsavow. In this way in some portions Of
the country the prejudices Of forty years arc
combined and oirectedag us. Now it would
be passing strange if wise and sound admins.
tration should be found belonging TO our party,
and just and liberal principles be confined TO the
other, yet such is the opinion OF the farmers
who, admitting the wisdom Of the Tariff, vote
for those who sacrifice 1t 10 gain the political aid
of the States who exist by involuntary or slave
labor. Ii thought as they Go concerning the
principles of the two parties, | should vote
they do for | should hazard the evils Of present
| maladminlstratlon rather than the future danger
Of change Of the Constitution. But it is not SO
Wise conduct of Government and just principles
of Government go together and the former is the
test of the latter. What is necessary then is
not SO much to convince the farmers Of the wis
dom Of Protection; they admit that already: nor
ye; so much that the Wings are the advocates
and uphoders of the Tariff and their adverseres
are opposed to it, for this is too plainly fact to
be questioned; but it is necessary TO show the
people the great truth, that the Wing party is the
party Of true Democracy, of Equality, of Pa'ri
otism of enlarged and liberal sentiment, of Pro-
gress and of Benevolence in regard to all ques-
tons of Civil and Religious Freedom, and in re-
The time has come TO disabuse the public mind
of its preiudices. Our adversaries are broken up
in their central councils and in their caucus CO.
hesion. They have committed themselves be-
you'd retreat to the extension and fortifcation OF
Human Slavery. They have kept the word OF
promise to the car and broken it to the hope OF
the exile from foreign lands, prescribed by por
ton of tie American people for conscience sake
Let the Wings Of the United States now take
their attitude as friends Of civil and religious free
dom and Of humanity. such an attitude as will
command the respect and confidence of the up
rising masses in Europe, and they will deserve
and will therefore secure the confidence of the
people Of America. Once compel our country
men TO admit that the Wing party are, as they
truly are, the party of ipation and Of pro
gress, and we shall no longer have to complain OF
any portion of our fellow citizens that they strike
down the arm which upholds Republican nstitu.
ticns and controls them for the public welfare.
dear Sir very respectfully EGn Sffd IT, ED @Sfdsn
10 john w STAFFORD Corresponding Secretary &c &C.
-~.------
Withdrawal of Tyler.
To Tie Editor OF The Tribune:
learn from source entitled TO credit that on
the interesting occasion of Tyler's return with
his young bride among his old friends and neigh.
bors in Virginia, they generally omitted 10 call
upon him. This caused the Captain much vexa.
tion and ne demanded of one who knew, why i,
was that he was thus treated, affecting of course
entire innocence of all knowledge OF any reasona.
ble cause. He got an honest answer, such an one
as he ought 10 have had long ago. 1t was this =
: mn al Jo