Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1860-01-05
PERSONAL

SENATOR SEWARD arrived in the Arago from
Havre, last week on Wednesday. He was re-
ceived with hearty welcome by his personal
and political friends in New York-and the
freedom Of the city was presented to him, and
he was presented to the people in the City Hall
on Thursday.
The following is from the 75'ibuue's report of
neat speech made by him in response to the
welcome of Mayer Tieman:
Mayor TIEAAN, who, after loud cheering, WEI
coined his distinguished guest, and, on behalf of
the Common Council of the city, rendered to him
its inequalities and that chamber for the recep-
ton ofhis friends. For himself, the Mayor cor
daily welcomed Mr. Seward back to his 1.-THE
Mayors native city, and wished him much health
end happiness.
Mr.. Sl:w.RD replied:
Mr.. MAYOR, and GENTLEMEN, and FELLOW CIT
IzESs-I did not mean to yield to the influences
of feeling, although | can scarcely conceive what
act could be more fatterng to me than this gem
erous reception in the metropolis Of my native
country, and under the auspices of the constitut-
ed authorities of the city. Nevertheless, am
sure that any seeming Indifference to this cordial
welcome would argue me guilty not merely of
caprice in regard to my fellow-citizens, but even
of ingratitude to the Divine goodness which per
mits NE, after long absence, again to enter the
circles OF true patriots, of affectionate kindred
and of life-tried friends. Applause. Inqui-
res have been addressed to me On all sides and
by all parties. l hope that those who listen to
me are aware that | must be impatient to reach
once more, and as soon as possible, my yet dis
tant freside, and therefore I am sure that you
will be content to receive very brief answers, at
least on the present occasion, to these kind in
quiries. l have, Mr.. Mayor, met with no acct
dents by land or by water with no serious diff
fculties on my way have enjoyed good health
in every season and in every climate. have met
no unkindness anywhere, but, on the contrary, the
respect everywhere entertained for my country
has procured for me among all classes and con-
ditons of men inequalities which l shall re-
member with gratitude SO long as 1 shall live.
Applause. Mr.. Mayor and fellow-citizens,
in those Eastern regions from which we derive
the revelations of divine, truth, paralysis which
seems as if it were to be eternal, rests upon So
ciety, and leaves little else to be studied than
the sublime and affecting monuments which au-
thentcate the evidence of our faiih. Cheers
| have been able in many instances, to compare
the existing conditions of society in European
States with what existed there twenty-five years
ago, when had the fortune to visit the Eastern
Continent. think that can safely say that all
the nations every nation on that continent, is
more prosperous now than it has been hereto
fore, and is making decided progress in material
and moral improvement, yet, at the same time.
it is most manifest that the institutions of Gov
eminent existing there, which either are ancient
or were founded and constructed upon ancient
principles, are not adapted to the exigencies and
sentiments OF the present age And therefore
it is, that every country in Europe, the whole of
Europe, seems to be at this moment balancing
between the desire of beneficial change and
the fear of dangerous innovation. Our own
system, constructed later and under better aus
pices, seem to afford to us-seems to be adapted
to all the changes of national life, and to leave
us, therefore, happily free alike from the need
and from the fear of organic change 1t mnst
always be difficult to determine how far we can
lend encouragement to those who seek to re-
form the institutions of other countries even
with the hope Of benefit to them but, Mr.
Mayor and feilow-citizens, this at least, we can
always do; we can endeavor to conduct our in
ternal affairs, well as our foreign relations.
with truth, candor, justice and moderation, and
so commend our better system of Government
to the adoption of the nations by proving that
that system is founded in public virtue, and that
we are as +" unity that is at unity with ITSELF"
while it seeks only by peaceful and lawful means
to promote the prosperity and welfare, the hap
piness and civilization Of mankind. Applause