Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-11-22
ARCHBISHOP HUGHES ON
THE WAR.
a letter TO Secretary Seward.

MY DEAR GOVERNOR 1T Is now more
than twenty-three years since l had tho
pleasure of being introduced to you on the
railroad train between Albany and Utica
Opportunities for cultivating more intimate
ly that first acquaintance have been few and
far between. Still, as a personal friend, and
from what they commonly call politics,
have always recognized you in my own
mind, as true, unfinching man, of upright
principle.
As for myself, l cannot say that l evoi
belonged to any political party, and yet
since my return from Europe, certain noml-
nally Catholic papers have written me down
as a politician. Much allowance must be
made for such writers. They assume that
my going to Europe was for a political and
not National purpose; in fact, they seem,
or choose to appear, as incompetent to dis
tinguish between what is vulgarly called a
politician and patriot. Of the two,
would prefer to be considered a patriot
rather than politician. Before the outbreak
of this melancholy civil war, it is known to
you, my dear Governor, that | toresaw the
coming calamity. l wrote to distinguished
persons in the South, praying and beseeching
that they should exercise their influence for
the perpetuation of peace, or rather against
the disruption of the Union. In my own
sphere in New York left nothing undone
to soothe bitter prejudice, especially on the
part of Abolitionists with a view, and even
in hope, that the domestic strife which has
since ovcrtaken us, might be arrested and
turned aside
1t is just one year and eight days since ii
was desired by a tccgraplic communication
that should visit the City of Washington
on public business. | obcyed the summons
l spoke my mind freely. 1t was thought
that, in the pcris Of the nation at that time
l could he useful in promoting the interests
of the Commonwealth and of humanity if
would consent to 90 to Europe and cXcrsisC
whatever little influence might possess in
preventing France and England from inter
mcdlling in our sad quarrel
1t has, no doubt escaped your memory
that. during the fourteen or fifteen hour,
which spent in Washington, declined the
acceptance of what would be to persons MOI
of my rank great honor. | did not abso
lutely refuse before deciding but | wishct
to consult one or two persons very near an,
dear to me in New York Finally. and a
the very last hour. there was 4 word uttcrct
to me- not by any special member Of tn,
Cabinet to which you belong, but by tn,
authority which it possesses, to the ctlcc
that my acting as had been suggested was
personal request and would he cOnsidcrc,
as personal favor | three minutes | dcci
ded that, without consulting anybody.
should embark as a volunteer to accomplish
what might be possible on the other side o
the Atlantic In favor Of the country to whicl
belong.
What occurred on the other side thnl
it would be, at present, improper for me t,
" la. IL.
word, or act, or influence of mine has haC
the slightest effect in preventing either Eng
! land or France from punging into tin
unhappy divisions that have threatened tn
/ Union Of these once prosperous States. Oh
/ the other hani, may say that no day-nt
| hour even was spent in Europe in whicl
did not, according to opportunity. labo
for peace between Europe and America. S,
far that peace has not been disturbed Blu
/ let America be prepared. There is no Low
| for the United States on the other side o
| the water Generally speaking, on the othc
! side Of the Atlantic. the United States ar
( ignored, if not dcapised treated in convor
| sation Il the stme cGatemptuous languag
| as we might employ toward the inhabitant
/ of the Sandwich Islands, or Washington
! Territory, or NanCouver's Island, or the set
! tlcmcnt of the Red River or of the Hudson
| Bay Territory.
! This may he considered very unpublished
almost unchristian, language proceeding
from the pen of Il Catholic Archbishop
/ But my dear Governor. it is unquestionaDi
true. and am sorry that it is 50. If you, i
/ Washington, are not able to defend youl
selves in case of need. do no see where q
from what source you can expect fricndsh
or protection. Since my return, ! made
kind Of familiar address to my people, bu
for them exclusively, in st. Patricks Cathc
dral. Some have called it not sermon, bu
a discourse, and even II war blast, in fave
Of blood-spilling. Nothing of that kin
could he warrentcd by knowledge of IN
natural temperament or Of my cccIcsiasuc;
training. From the slight correspondent
between us, you can bear me witness that
/ pleaded in every direction for the prescry,
ton Of peace, so long as the slightest hop
of its preservation remained. When Il
hope Of this kind had passed away, wa
fora vigorous prosecution OF our mclanchol
war, so that one side or the other shoul
find itself in the asccndcncy.