Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-05-31
A Letter from Mr.. Seward.

The following letter has been addressed by
Mr.. Seward to the gentlemen Of the Central
Republican Committee, who invited him to at
tend meeting to be held for the ratification
of the proceedings of the National Conven-
ton. 1t will be seen that Mr.. Seward takes
his defeat with the same calm dignity and
self-respect which has always characterized his
political conduct In the reverseS OF fortune,
as in success, he does not forget that his cause
is greater than himself, and that the true pa
triot must look for his reward, not in personal
triumphs, but in triumphs of principle He
regrets that he will not now be able to recon-
pcnse his friends for their long and earnest
fidelity but he evidently looks forward to re-
tirement with feeling of relief and joy. Mr..
SEWARD cordially approves Of the doctrines
presented by the Convention at Chicago, and
bears his willing testimony to the ability, the
character and the zeal of the person placed in
nomination. The graceful and becoming terms
in which Mr.. SEWARD expresses bis sincere
concurrence in the action Of the Convention
will only endear him the more to his friends,
and to all others who prize greatness Of soul.
AuBrrS, May q, 1860
Genlcmen: | will not affect to conceal
the sensibility with which | have received the
letters in which you and SO many other re-
Spected friends have rendered to me EXPIRES
sons of renewed and enduring confidence
These letters will remain with me as asSuran-
CeS in future years that, although | was not
unwilling to await, even for another age, the
Vindication of my political principles yet that
they did nevertheless receive the generous sup
port of many good, wise and patriotic men Of
my own time.
Such assurances, however made, under the
circumstances now existing, derive their price
less value largely from the fact that they steal
upon me through the channels of private cor
reSpondence, and altogether unknown to the
world. You will at once perceive that such
expressions would become painful to me and
Justly offensive to the community if they should
be allowed to take on any public or conVeu-
tional form of manifestation For this reason,
if it were respectful aud consistent with your
own public purposes, would have delayed my
reply to you until | could had an opportunity
of making it verbally next week on my way
to Washington, after completing the arrange
mentS for the repairs upon my dwelling here,
rendered necessary by a recent fire.
The same reason determines me also to
decline your kind invitation to attend the meet
ing in which you propose some demonstrations
of respect to myself, while so justly consider
ing tie nominations which have been made by
the recent National Convention at Chicago
At the same time it is your right to have a
frank and candid exposition of my own opinions
and sentiments on that important subject.
My friends know very well that, while they
have always generously made my promotion to
public trusts their own exclusive care, miHe
has only been to execute them faithfully so as
to be able at the close of their assigned terms
to resign them into the hands of the people
without forfeiture Of the public confidence
The presentation of my name to the Chicago
Convention was thus their act, not mine The
disappointment, therefore, is their diSappoint-
ment not mine. 1t may have found them un-
prepared. On the other hand have no senti-
ment either of disappointment or discomfort !;
for who in any possible case could, without
presumption claim that great national party
ought to choose him for its candidate for the
first Office in the gift of the American People !
/ find in the resolutions of the Convention q
platform as satisfactory to me as if it had been
framed with my own hands, and in the candi-
dates adopted by it eminent and able Repub-
lcduS, Win WLoiH nave COIuidlly CoOpeIdteu
in maintaining the principles embodied in that
excellent creed. l cheerfully give them a sin
cere and earnest support.
trust, moreover, that those with whom l
have labored so long that common service in a
noble capse has created between them and my
self relations Of personal friendship unSurpass-
ed in the experience of political men, will in
dulge me in a confident belief that no sense of
disappointment will be allowed by them to
hinder or delay, or in any way embarrass, the
progress of that cause to the consummatior
which is demanded by patriotic regard to the
safety and welfare of the country and the best
interests of mankind.
am, your friend and servant,
VIM II. SEWARD.
To Charles c. Mott, wm. II. Bull 4. J. williamson, c
). Spencer, F. w. Shepherd-iOr Central Committee.