The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-09-12
Letter drosn Hon. Wua. %. SeWura @
= Partisan POlAeaesau.

important correspondents has been pub.
iished between Francis w. Hughes, ESQ,
Chairman of the Democrats Sufas Ceutri
Committee, of Pennsyivania. and Secretary
Seward respecting the loyalty Of certain
political documents issued By the State
Central Committee aud subniitsd to the
latter. The correspondence is highly sug.
gestve aud full Of general intesess. s.-espec-
tally to those States like our oWn-which
have full election.
The reply Of Mr.. Seward is emiuently
characteristic and patriotic. He intim~,es
his satisfaction at the spirit Of loyalty mani
tested by Mr.. Hughes, and expressed in the
papers transmitted 10 him, but he takes oc-
casion 10 administer a severe rebuke to the
tactous spirit only too prevalent amongst
both Republicans and Democrats. He re-
minds Mr.. Hughes that the nation is en-
gagged In canvass respecting questions OF
civil administration. but in life aud death
struggle, and If it fails. there will be time
enough afterwards to discuss all differences
of opinion. Mr.. Seward concludes IS fol-
lows.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington. Aug. l9. 1869.
To J. w. Hughs. Headquarters. ofths
Democratic Stale Central Commit
tee of Peunsylvsnia. Philadelphia:
DEAR SrR: have had the honor of re.
ceiving your letter Of the l4th inst, togeth-
er with the three papers to which il refers
two of them being appeals. written by
yourself. and endorsed by the Democratic,
and all other friends of the Constitution,
OF Pennsylvania; the other being call for
q mass meeting OF the citizens of Philadel-
phia; the objects Of which meeting will be
to express a firm purpose to stand by the
maintenance OF the National Union; and fur
ther, to declare hostility to the policy and
measures of all who seek TO prostitute the
country to the purposes OF Abolitionism:
and formally TO express the intention Of the
Democratic party to do as it has always
hitherto done-namely; to support the Fed.
eral Government in the exercise Of its con-
sti:utona power, and TO defend it. at what
ever peril. against the insidious and treason
able teachings Of Abolitionists. You tell
mo that some influential journals. conduc-
ted by political friends of mine. censure ono
of these papers as reasonable. and that the
others arc conceived in the same spirit with
the one that is so harshly judged. You de.
sire me to read them aud weigh them for
myself. You further intimate . hope that
the persual Of the papers will have the ef-
feet of producing exertions ON my part to
induce the Presiden. to favor q policy to
put down the demon of Abolitionism.
have read the documents submitted TO me,
with high respect for the authority by
which they were issued, and with q full
confidence in the sincerity Of the devotion
to the Union. You will allow me to say
that this nation is now engaged, not in .
| political canvass between opposing parties
about questions of civil administration. but
in civil war, carried on by opposing armies
on an issue Of national lite or death. II tho
revolution prevails. there will be no ques.
tons Of administration left to settle; if il
fail, there will be time enough to settle all
| such questions. am not to dictate a course
for others to pursue in this crisis, but mus
say for myself, that neither as q public Of
fcer nor as a citizen can I know with favor
or disfavor parties among the supporters of
the United States, any more than I can
make distinction between factions which
unite in aiding the rebellion. A nation.
| like an individual. can do only one thing ef-
feciually at one time. 1t cannot wisely
turn aside from the chase Of the fearful de-
mon Of disunion 10 pursue any inferior de-
mon, whether imaginary or real. l think
| tha. the wran ,lss which occurred among
the Crusaders, about their respective creeds
whea they sat down TO the siege of Jerusa.
lem. were just as rational and Just as wise
AS the disputes about Abolition wouli be
| now in the Army Of the Potomac in front Of
Richmond. WHAT'S unwise 10 the camp at
sach a moment, cannot be wise 10 the Cab
| met or in the assemblies Of the people. I
am occupied here either in meditatng be.
tween differing parties and jealous scots. or
else in watching and counteracting the in.
| trigues Of traitors in Europe. But some-
times think that if. instead Of being charg-
ed with these duties. we're at liberty. g
you seem to be. to serve the country in my
own way. could make an appeal to Dem
| ocrats, Republicans, Abolitioniats and slave
holders. in behalf Of our distracted country.
| that would bring the whole people at once
uder arms. and send treason reelinQ back
| into the den Of darkness from whence il
sprang. do not know how this would be:
but do know that if we're in your place.
1 should try it. I am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant.
(Signed.) WILLIAM II. SswAaD.