New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-19
Letter from Senator Seward.

WASHINGTON, fHOay, March IL, 1882
GENTLEMEN Your letter inviting me to
sociatoD OF Brooklyn has been received. There are
urgent motvesto an acceptance. will pass by the
general one OF interest in the memory Of the great
and good men OF Irelandof sorrow for their failure
hitherto, and OF sympathy IN their present and future
movements for her redemption.
nope that, without my ever having said so much
before, those who care to understand me well know
TINS that adherng faithfully to fixed principles OF
acllon II all cases and under all CIRCUMSTANCES,
am personally Indifferent to the chances and changes
OF political events and absolutely nsensible TO CEN
sure resulting from Ignorance, interest, passion or
prejudice Nevertheless, gentlemen, am not in
different to the appeals of generous minds nor am
unsrstefui for the friendship of generous men,
receive your invitation with especial gratitude,
therefore, because 1t comes from men who, although
Ihey were born IN another country and were cast BY
political accidents and misforsunes upon our oWn
anc therefore have common interest in both coun-
uies, yet nave understood my principles truly and
peisevereo In giving me their support when that
support not merely ceased to bring political re wards
bur even brought Ieproach and obloquy upon them
selves. God forbid that should ever forget such
relcs for such friends are the only reliable ones in
times OF either trial or prosperity
lTegret more than you can do that duties here,
which cannot be omitted, deprive me of the pleas
ufe OF accepting an invitation that comes commend
Cd by sense OF personal obligations like these.
Gentlemen, the whole secret of the morals OF po-
liicsi action seems TO me 10 lie In this that no ~
ever well and wisely things ordered and conduct
ed at any one time IN any ore nation, they may STILL
In future be better ordered and conducted IN that
nation and IN ali other nations The Human Society
Is so constituted that own individual teachings
and actions may contribute something 10 produce
that better state OF things and ought therefore to De
always 20 shaped as at least not to hinder or pre
vent 1t. This is all. He who will not, under the
pressure Of circumstances, or OF personal local. or
even natural interests, deny or disc wn the inaena
bic rights asd equality OF men and Of nations, but
VIII always maintain their inviolability will be doing
much fcruy Liberty and Democracy where thew <.
list and to extend them throuehoa.the world He who
makes exceptions OF classes, states, OF natiops on
the grounds OF any partial interest," any Temporary
excuse. betrays want OF confidence In the Demo.
cratic faith, and brings dscreds upon IT, We are not
TO esta1lisn Democratic system IN Ireland or Hun.
gsIy. But, on the oiheI hand, We are no. 10 hinder
1t. We can give 1t our wishes, our speech and orr
votes. II it be feared that shall derange socesy
1 snswer that Liberty and Republics come ouite
them forwsad II asy One say that ptacin's 1Ia ~
catholic must lead TO the neglec. OF domestic duties
or interests, be Gays what u just as wise as il is to
say thai 10 enc can honestly try TO pay all his credit
tors twenty shlliDgs in the pound without msasing
to neglect bis own family or 20 cheat SONS one Of as
Just due
Gentlemen, If we even doubt whether this uvinei.
pc OF senon Is re hs one We have only to consider
that the human race and all the nations Of il are one
family that what BY nature belongs to one beIonTs
10 all and what belongs to one man belonxs tn ali
that from the esinning until nov, oppression, des-
potism ard slavery have been one thing under dit.
ferent forms and names, and have constituted one
complete ruling interest and that Democracy. Re.
puoiicanism, and Liberty WERE and always must be.
one single sntagonistic isferest There 10 no such
thing AZ divided duty among them. He who Il
uuly for Democracy and Liberty here, and for ther
full and perfect establishment and development m
home cannot be an apologist for Oppression In Ire
LARD, for Despotiim in Austria, or for slavery any,
where. -
Accept, Gentlemen, my thanks, my best wishes.
and assurances OF srs'efal and enduring frisndshs
wILLIAz H. SRwARp.
sinen HsIs, James Tsndy, Patrick Cullen, Com.