Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-18
Arch bishop Hughes on the war..A
Letter to Secretary Seward.

The Metropolitan Record publishes the 70 low
ing important letter to Secretary SEWARD on the
great issues of the day:
INV York, Nov l, 1862
My DEAR GOVERNOR: Ii is now more than
twenty three years since had the pleasure of
being introduced to you on the railroad train be
tween Albany and Utica. Opportunities for cul
tivating more intimately that first acquaintance
have been few and far between Still, as a per-
sonal friend. apart from what they commonly
call politics, have always recognized you, in my
own mind, true, unhinchiDg man, of upright
principle,
As Tor myself. l eau not say that ever be
longed to any political party, and vet, since nv
return from Europe, certain nominally Catholic
papers have written me down as a politician
Much allowance must be made for such writer's
They assume that my going to Europe was for a
political, aud not for national purpose; in fact
they seem, or choose to appear, incompetent
to distinguish between what is vulgarly called
politician and patriot. OF the two | would
prefer to be considered a patriot rather than a
politician. Before the outbreak of this melan.
choly civil war. it is known TO YOU, nv dear Gov
ernor. that / foresaw the coming calamity |
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 dissolution OF the Union. La
my own sphere. in New York, | left nothing I'M
done to soothe bitter preudices, especially on the
part of the Abolitionists. with a view and even
in hope that the domestic strife which has
Overtaken US might be arrested and turned aside
Ii is just one year and eight DAYS since il was
desired, by telegraph communication, that |
should visit the city of Washington on public
business. i obeyed the summons 1 spoke nv
mind freely. II was thought that, in the periis
OF the nation at that time. | could be useful ns
promoting the interests of the Commonwealth
and OF humanity it | would consent to go to
Europe. and exercise what little influence might
possess in preventing France and England from
intermeddling in our sad quarrel
lt has. no doubt. escaped your memory that
during the fourteen or fifteen hours that spent
IN W Washington, declined the acceptance of what
would be TO persons not OF NV rank a great hon
or | did not absolutely refuse before deciding
but wished TO consult one or two persons very
near and dear to me in New York Fmallv, and
at the very last hoEs, there was a word uttered To
me, not by any special member of tie Cabinet 10
which you belong but by the authority which il
possesses TO the effect that by acting as had been
suggested was personal request, and would be
considered as personal favor. In three minutes
decided that, without consulting an, body, |
should embark as a volunteer 10 accomplish what
might be possible the other side of the Allan
tic in favor of the country to which belong.
What occurred on the other side think il
would be. at present. improper COR me to make
public | am not certain that any word or act
or influence of mine has had the slightest effect
IN preventing either England or France from
plunging into the unhappy divisions that have
threatened the Union OF these once prosperous
States. On the other hand may say that no +
day-no hour evea-was spent in Europe in
which did not. according to opportunity labor
for peace between Europe and America So far 4
that peace has not been disturbed But LEI Amer
lea be prepared There is no love for the United 4
States on the other side of the water Generally
speaking. on the other side Of the Atlantic the .
United States Is ignored if not despised; treated 1
IN conversation IN the same contempiuous lam
gusge IS We might apply TO the inhabitants of the
Sandwich Islands, or W Washington Territory. or
ancou'er's Island, or the settlement Of the Red
river. or Of the Hudson's BAY territory
TINS may be considered very unpublished. al.
most unchristan language, proceeding from the
Zen Of Catholic Archbishop But, nv dear
Governor. il Is uuquestionably true and am
'orry that It i so. Ii YOU, in Washington, are
rot able TO defend yourselves in case of need.
10 not see where. or from what source, YOU can
,xDect friendship or protection Since nv return
made kind OF familiar address TO nv people.
'ut not for them exclusively, in ST Pat
lex Cathedral. Some have called il
lot sermon, but discourse, and even
war blast in favor Of blood spilling Nothing
4 that kind could be warranted by knowledge
4 my natural temperament, of my ecclesias
ical training. From the slight correspondence
etween Us. YOU Can bear me witness tia; |
leaGe1 in every direction for the preservation of
eace 50 long as the slightest hope OF its pres
ryalion remained Wien all hope OF this kind
al passed away. / was for vigorous prosecu-
on OF our melancholy war, 80 that one side or
be other should find itself in the ascendency.
On nv return from Europe lknex II vas ex
ected that should make. in writing or other
Use, some observations of nv experience abroad
hat would reach the public generally. These
reservations were maize in the Cathedral OF 81.
atF'ek. on toe loth Of August. They consisted
I simple narrative Of my experience H. differ
~ countries Of Enrope during nv absence from
ew York fswsrls the elcss Of nv remarks