The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-03-12

| Mr.. Seward, having been informed d 4
existence OF a Club in Philadelphia, the -
pose of which was TO nominate him fR' =
next Presidency sent the following lstts \
the President:
Washington. Dec. Is, 1851
| DEAR SIR: ] have received the letter Which
| vas addressed 10 me on the sth inst b yea,
an officer of political association reent5
organized in Philadelphia
You will excuse me. my dear Sir, for wtsl
may seem unkind or ungrateful in this reply y
| that communication, which has given me -
uneasiness. and which only fails TO infct sewn
pain upon me because ] do not regard II
movement which il describes as one Of ~
considerable magnitude.
The Club. as you inform me, have adoptsds
resolution to exert themselves to secure my n
vancement 10 the Presidency Of the Unitd
States, and this resolution isgenerously bad
upon a high appreciation Of such public sdv-
ices rs have hitherto attempted TO pen6o. ,
avail myseh of the good will Of the Ga
thus fiatteringly manifested, TO say that co..
slider the proceeding az one altogether unvis.
and tending TO produce only public evil he
crisis when every possible path Of danger ought
10 be carefully avoided. Ii parfisan more
ment, and, wort Of all, a partisan movenesi
Of personal character.
II. when the present civil war was looming
up before u. lad cherished an ambitioa h
attain the high position you have indicated, ]
should have adopted one Of two courses whia
lay open to me-namely, either to withdss
from the public service at home 10 position
OF honor without great responsibility abroed,
or to retire to private life, aud. avoiding The
caprices Of fortune, await the chances Of pub
lie favor
But deliberately took another course |
renowned all ambition, and came into the Er
ecutiye Government 10 aid in saving the Coz
stitu'ion and the integrity OF my country, orie
perish with them. IL seemed 10 me, then. thn
l must necessarily renounce all expectsune q
future personal advantage, in order that the
counsels that I might give u the Pseiden,
in such crisis should not only be, but BE- re-
cognzed a. being, disinterested. loyal, sn1
patriotic
Acting On this principle shun no cangd
an shrink from no responsibility. SoIpeiths
look for. nor. If il should b. offered 70 -
would ever hereafter accept any reward
The country is 10 be saved or lost " TIE
highest efforts OF public and private virtue -
fore another Presidential election shall ocem.
II il shall BE- saved. a. believe it will; ] DO
not fear that my zeal in that great achieve
m snt will be overlooked by the grateful genef-
atoms 10 come after US. II, on the other hsnd,
it shall be lost b. who shall study the causes
Of the great ruin shall not End among then
any want OF -elf sacrifice on my part. eouia
never consent, If unanimously called upoo,
be President Of division Of the Republic
cbeerfnliy give up nv aspirations for rule -
he whole Republic as contribution 70 the
Efforts necessary 10 rnan'sin It in its integrity
hardly need add that i, results from tbese
that not only ask. but peremso-
lily require, my friends. ia whose behalf yos
lave written to me. to drop my name hence
orth and forever from among those 70 whon
hey look a. possible candidates for nahonsi
Ii-tinctions and pre.erments.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.