The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-05-31
letter from Mr.. Seward.

n
New York, May 24.-The following
letter has been addressed by Mr.. SEWARD
10 the gentlemen of the Central Republi-
can Committee, who invited him to attend
meeting for the ratification of the pro-
ceedings of the National Conventions Gin
ctanati Commercial
AUBURN, May 2i, 1860.
GENTLEMRN:-I will not affect 10 consult
the sensbility with which have received
the letters in which you and so many other
respected friends have rendered TO me ex-
pressions Of renewed and endearing con-
fdence These letters will remain with
me as assurances in future, that although
| was not unwilling to await even for
another age the vindication of my politi-
cal principles. yet that they did neverIhe-
less receive the generous support OF many
good, wise and patriotic men OF ny own
time.
Such assurances, however made under
the circumstances now existing, derive
their priceless value largely from the fact
that they steal upon me through the chan
nels of private correspondence. and al'
though unknown to the world, You will at
once perceive that such expressions would
become painful TO me. and justly offensive
to the country, II should be allowed to
partake in any public or conventional form
OF manifestation. For this reason, if il
were respectful and consistent for your OWE
public purposes, would have delayed my
reply to you until could have had an op-
portunity of making it verbally next weel
on my way to Washington, after complet
ing The arrangements for the repairs upor
my dwelling, rendered necessary by re-
cent fire.
The same reason determines me also tc
decline your kind invition TO attend thu
meeting in which you propose some de
monstrations Of respect u myself. Will,
so Justly considering the nominations
which have just teen made by the Nation
al Convention at Chicago, at the same tim,
, it is your right to have frank and candle
expression Of my own opinions and Senti
, ments on that important subject.
q. My friends, knowing very we'll that Will
; they have always generously made my pro
+ motion to public trusts their own exclusiv
care, mine has only bsen to execute then
y faithfully, 50 as to be able, at the close @
their assigned terms. 10 resign them int
n .ne hands of the people without forfeIur
Of tho public confidence.
The presentation ofmy name to the Chi
= cago Convention was thus then their ac
!. not mine; the disappointment therefor
theirs, not mine. 1t may have found ther
r. unprepared On the other hand, have n
4 sentiment either OF disappointment OF dis
If content; for who in any possible cas-
Ia could, without presumption claim that
y, great national party ought 10 choose hil
4 for its candidate for the first Office iL tn
- gift Of the American people. fnd
, the resolutions of the Convention a pla
:, form as satifactory to me as if it lad bee
i framed with my own hands, and in tn
9 candidates adopted by it, eminent and all
:. Republicans with whom have cordial
a eo-opeIated in maintaining the principle
= embodied in tina! creed.
q | cheelfully give them a sincere an
n earnest support. trust, moreover, thu
II those with whom l have labored SO Ion
that common service in noble cause hi
, created between them and myself. Ye latior
,t of personal friendship, unsurpassed in IL
~ ~ experience of political men, will indulg
h me in confden! belief that no sense
- - disappointment will be allowed by them
n hinder or delay, or in any way enbarla
~ ~ the progress of that cause TO the eonsun
- -, nation which is demand by patriotic r
~ gard to ihe faIety and welfare ofthe coul
" >" try, and the best interests Of mankind.
~ ~ (Sgned) VIM. II. SEWARD.