Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-08-30

s-3 HoN. +. W. HUGHEs AND SECRETARY
SEwARD.-The Hon f. w. Hughes Chair
man of the Democratic State Central Com
mittce of Pennsylvania, addressed Secretary
Seward recently in regard to the address
and the call for mass meeting at Philadcl-
phia. We can only furnish short extracts
of the correspondence Mr.. Hughes says
that he cncloscs the two addresses of the
State Committee, and copy of this call,
which he adds have been denounced by lead
ing and influential journals as reasonable.
lie therefore asks Mr.. Seward to read them,
and pronounce Judgment upon them us to
their being reasonable; and he goes on to
say
"If YOU will read ono or both of the en-
closed addresses, and if, in connection with
the facts | have stated i'll regard to their
supporters, it will stimulate, you or serve
you in any degree to promote policy on
the part of the administration of President
Lincoln to put down the demon of aboli-
tionism, my sole object in addressing you
this (pcrhaps prcsumptuousJ note shall be
more abundantly Obtained
The first half of Mr.. Stewards letter is
mere diplomatic recital of the call and of the
| inquiries made by Mr.. Hughes. But the
rest of his letter is SO excellent that We quote
it:
You will allow me TO say that this nation
is now engaged not in Il political canvass
! between opposing parties about questions of
! civil administration, but in a civil war, car
| ricd on by opposing armies on an issue of
/ national life or death.
| IF the revolution prevail, there will bc no
! questions of administrations left to settle
| If it fail, there will be time enough to settle
! all such questions.
! II am not to dictate a course for Others to
| pursue in this crissis. But must say for
| myself, that neither as public officer nor as
a citizen, can | know with favor or dstavor.
parties among the supporters of the United
States, any more than can make distinc-
ton between factions which unite in aiding
the rebellion.
"a nation like an individual can do only
one thing cffcctually ut one time. 1t cannot
wisely turn aside from the chase of the fear.
ful demon of disunion to pursue any inferior
demon whether imaginary or real.
II think the wranglcs which occurred
among the Crusaders about their respective
creeds. when they sat down to the siege OF
Jerusalem were Just as rational and lust as
wise as disputes about abolition would now
he in the army Of the Potomac in front OF
Richmond. What is unwise in the camp at
such a moment cannot be wise in the Cabi
net or in the assemblies of the people.
Il am occupied here either in mediatina
between differing parties and Jealous sccts
or else in watching and countcracting the
intrigucS of traitors in Europe. But Isome
times think that if, instead of being charged
with these duties, were at liberty as YOU
seem to be, to serve the country in my owr
way, | could make an appeal to Democrat,
and Republicans, Abolitionist and slave
holders, in behalf, of our distracted country
that would bring the whole people at once
under arms, and send treason recling back
into the den of darkness from whence i
sprung. do not know how this would be
but do know that if | were in your plac,
! | should trVn