The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-11-18
WASHINGTON, ID. C..
THE CONTEST OF TODAY.
SPEECH OF WILLIAM n. SEWARD.
D.lioerea at Rome, Fsislsw. October %. 1858


with enthusiastic cheers, long continued and
often repeated. He spoke substantially as fol-
lows:
FELLow-CITIzENs: Personal interests neces-
sariy mingle themselves, under free Govern
ment with all political or public transactions.
Such interests, however are subordinate and
temporary, while policies and principles survive
and endure. 1t has been nav custom, therefore,
always to refrain from the discussion of person
al questions in connection with political topics.
depart from this rule in the present case, be-
cause am obliged to know, although have
tried to he ignorant of the fact, that doubts are
entertained by portion of the Republican
electors of Oneida county, whether they cannot,
consistently with the interests of the cause of
Freedom, permit the return of Democratic
member to the House of Representatives from
this Congressional district. 1t will appear
plainly enough in the sequel that such result
cannot wisely be permitted, even if there were
no other reason than the fact that the member
so to be returned is Democrat. But it seems
to me TO be not only not improper, bat also a
duty which | owe the Republican candidate, to
say more.
think that no one questions my own
fidelity to the cause of Human Freedom
throughout the period Of my connection with
public affairs. Cheers. Your kind response
enables me 10 assume this. During all that
period, Mr.. o. b. MattesOn, your present Repre-
sentative in Congress, has been Intimately con-
nected with me. i bear in his behalf willingly
and gratefully, the testimony that at Washing
ton, at all times and under all circumstances.
he has been faithful. | further testify that he
has been able and efficient there. | perform a
pleasing duty, moreover in declaring here, in
the presence of his constituents, that always
and under all circumstances Mr.. Matteson rem
dered me the sympathy, support, and aid, of a.
trusty, reliable, and devoted friend. | go vet
further and declare, that being acquainted with
the facts and circumstances of the vote of cen
sure which was passed upon him III the House
OF Representatives, ii was my conviction at that
time, rs il Is my conviction now, that that vote
was unsustained 10y any adequate evidence was
unjust and partial, political and partisan, and
dictated by the hostility of the Slave Interest in
retaliation for the vigorous and successful re-
sistance 10 that interest which he had made. 1t
WIS natural, under such circumstances, Mr.
Mateson should desire and think he had claim
upon the Republican electors of his district for
a denomination and reelection, which would
prove popular vindication against judgment
incurred in their service; but, of course, that
was one among MANY elements which entered
INTO the question OF a nomination for member
of Congress, at the coming election.
The Republican electors of Oneida were
rightiully the Judges upon the whole question.
embracing all its details. | designedlv and
cautiously RETAINED from. interfering with the
discussion 81 that subject because Jealous Free
men could not aud ought not 10 tolerate such
interference from any quarter. And the elect
ors from every district IN this State have a
special claim upon me to practice non-interycn-
uOn IN such personal contests and conflicts.
You have decided that the interests of the
cause III this district viii be best promoted hy
the election OF another member of the party
Mr.. Roscoe Conhling. Ii is my duty to acqui
csc in that decision, and do acquiese In it
without regarding the subject as open for re
view or further consideration. As il has been
pleasant for me Ia bear my testimony in behalf
of MIR. Maileson, So it Is an occasion of sincere
pleasure to speak IN terms OF the highest
respect and esteem for the gentleman whom
you have dominated TO be his successor. Mr..
Conkling, a. you are aware. has been known To
me longer than to Yourselves. He was born,
think, certainly he was reared, in the town IN
which live. and his parents and family have
been for near twenty five wears among my most
intimate personal friends. | saw in his child
hood and early youth the indications of that
high order ofgenius and talent which he has since
developed among yourselves. While remarked
those indications with pleasure, it would be I'M
Just to withhold the further confession that
when divisions occurred which carried many
friends into courses and associations diverging
from mine, Mr. Conkling remained in the course
which thought was the wise and true one and
perseverngly adhered to my own fortunes in
political life.
After bearing this testimony of Mr. Conkling.
1T remains for me To declare, that | earnestly
and with my whole heart desire the return of
Roscoe Conlling to the House of Representa-
uves. Frst because the choice is between him.
as true friend of Freedom, and another. who
in my Judgment, will he uniaithfu to that cause
l do not reflect upon the personal integrity of
the opposing candidate, but | say he belongs to
the Democratic party of the State of New \ FORK
which is iaithcsS 10 that cause. If he should
accept service in that cause, he must be untrue
TO the party 10y whose Sulrages he was elected
In the choice between that cause and that
party know no reason To suppose that he
would choose the distinction of mart vrdom for
Freedom sake. Secondly, ! desire Mr. Conk
Iings election, because, he will bring into the
discharge of his high trust true devotion to
the cause of justice and humanity, as well as
confessed and superior ability. Such men will
be wanted more in the Congress of 1879 and
1850 than ever before.
entered Congress as representative OF this
State in 1919. The State had then thirty. four
members in the House of Representatives. OF
these thirtythree were returned bv the same
political organization which conferred the trust
upon myself, and all were pledged to the same
policy, VIZ the exclusion of Slavery from the
territory of the United States by the extension
of the Wilmot Provisu over the Territories inst
then acquired bv the dismemberment of Mexico
The lhirtytourth member was a Democrat. but
the overbearing force Of public opinion forced
HIM INTO our association, so that practically, the
entire delegation from the State was committed
TO that policy. Seven or eight months elapsed.
General TAYLOR, the chief of the party, fell A
panic seized upon the party and the country.
and at the expiration of that short period only
fourteen of the Representatives of New York re-
manned firm in the field. | then said. this de-
moralization will have its time. but within the
period of ten years the people OF New York will
overcome this dismay. At the expiration of
that time, they viii again acknowledge the
Higher Law. which is only to saw that there is
God IN heaven; and they will then be ready
to strike blow for Freedom and Humanity. bv
which all Will be recovered which has becu sn
shameleSsiY betrayed and lost. Tha, period has
passed. hat blow Is To be struck in the Con
gress of 1859 and 1860. la resuming that Orrat
battle, | confess that desire the county of
Oneida 10 send It's ablest and strongest man.
standing within the probabilities an election. al
the present juncture, for be will be wanted there
You have decided that R,..coe Conkling is that
man. Let hiIn therefore, | pray Won, be
elected.
Fellow-citizens. the time for decisive action
Is at hand. The season for argument has passed
| shall therefore confne myself Ia the duty of
presenting three incidental topics 10 your con
sideration. The first will be to indicate. as /
understand it. the stage Of the contest with th,
Slave Power AT which We have arrived Second.