Worcester daily spy., 1860-05-26
From the New York Evening Post.

Letter from Governor 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 proceedings
Of the national convention. 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 reverse of fortune, as in success, he does
not forget that his cause is greater than him
self, and that the true patriot must look for his
reward, not in personal triumphs, but in the
triumphs of principle. He regrets that he will
not now be able to recompense his friends for
their long and earnest fidelity but he evident
ly looks forward to retirement with feeling
Of relief and joy Mr.. Seward cordially APP
proves of the doctrines presented by the con-
vention at Chicago, and bears his willing tes-
timony to the ability, the character, and the
zeal of the person placed in nomination. The
graceful and becoming terms in which Mr..
Seward expresses his sincere concurrence in
the action of the convention will only endear
him the more to his friends, and to all others
who prize true greatness Of soul.
AUBURN, May 81, 1860.
Gentlemen / will not affect to conceal the
sensibility with which l have received the let
tiers in which you and so many other respect.
ed friends have rendered to me expressions OF
renewed and endearing confidence. These
letters will remain with me as assurances in
future years that, although | was not unwill.
ing to await even for another age, the vindi-
cation of my political principles, yet they did,
nevertheless, receive the generous support 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
conventional form of manifestation, For this
reason, if ii were respectful and consistent with
your own public purposes, would have delay
ed my reply to you until l could have had an
opportunity OF making it verbally next week
on my way to Washington after completing
the arrangements for the repairs upon my
dwelling here, rendered necessary by recent
fire.
The same reason determines me also to dc.
cline your kind invitation to attend the meet
ing in which you propose some demonstrations
OF respect to myself, while justly considering
the nominations which have been made by the
recent national convention at Chicago. AT
the same time it is your right to have frank
and candid exposition of my own opinions and
sentiments on that important subject
nj V friends know xvnl tbuF Hrbilo fbou
have always generously made my promotion
| to public trusts their own exclusive care, mine
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 then
unprepared. On the other hand, l have NJ
sentiment either of disappointment or discon
tent; for who in any possible case could, with
out presumption, claim that great nationa
party ought to choose him for its candidate
for the first Office in the gift of the American
people! l find in the resolutions of the con
vention platform as satisfactory TO me as
it had been framed with my own hands, am
in the candidates adopted by it eminent an
able republicans, with whom have cordiall
cooperated in maintaining the principles en-
bodied in that excellent creed cheerful
give them sincere and earnest support.
trust, moreover, that those with whom
have labored so long that common service in
noble cause has created between them and M
self relations Of personal friendship unsu
passed in the experience of political men, wi
indulge me in a confident belief that no sens
of disappointment will be allowed by them
hinder or delay, or in any way to embarras
the progress of that cause to the consumm
ton which is demanded by patriotic regar
to the safety and welfare of the country an
the best interests of mankind.
am, sincerely and respectfully,
Your friend and obedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.