The New York herald., 1862-02-13
Secretary Stewards Letter to Smith
O'Brfcn.


Ny DEAR sR have received your letter of the I'd OF De
cember II is pleasant circumstance, in these times Of
and anxiety to know that the generous friendship
which SO long ago formed between us has your
part as it has my own, survived the accidents OF
lime and distance. ] thank you sincerely, moreover
for the interest In the affairs OF my country which
proml ted your communication and have not the least
dspos 10 complain tnat you gave II TO the press
before it could reach my hands. The subject is
private, but public one You had right to suppose
that the advice you folt constrained to give
ought TO be publicly known, while IT, from want Of
recent knowledge of American Affairs any other cause
It was unwise, the intelligent in Europe and
America whose consideration II should receive would be
able to discern the error.
You would hardly expect me- even If Official restraints
removed, to discuss with you the questions you
raised the rather send you copies OF such public
papers have had occasion to write recently upon the
condition OF affairs in the United States. You will find
therein the reasons which explain my own position,
which is in important respects so different from your
own, namely, that society the continent could en-
counter reverse Of its progress so disastrous
the division Of the American Union. II would
be war henceforth, continually, and for ever. so,
also, | think that society in Europe has evils
before IL equal TO what would result from re-
vival OF ambitions on the part OF European States
for dominion across the Atlantic. You view
the dangers Of war very differently from myself
While believe war waged without necessity and with
out motive is not only calamity but crime. think
also that the state that being just equal and tolerant
It's government as the United States by force OF their
political constitution and their settled convictions and
habits, must always be, can and must bear with wars
unnecessarily forced upon by sedition within its uris
diction. We shall never. with my consent, make war
unnecessarily uujustly against any foreign state.
Standing always not only in the right, but upon the de-
fensive shall while our virtue lasts, be adequate to
defend maintain and preserve institutions, the subver-
Of which could not increase the freedom tho hap
piness Of human being in the world either this
generation or in any that are u come.
No, my dear sir, il you would promote the cause of
America, Of Ireland Of Great Britain. Of humanity it,.
SELF speak and act in every case and without quaidca
ton, for the American Union
do indeed know that too many OF nv couptrymen
heated by passion think and feel differ ontIy but for me
who have not only seen, but felt every hour OF nay
life and in every condition the inspiring and eleyatipe
influence Of such political constitution and such coun
try without seeing single act Of injustice committed on
any one or suffering single injury myself there can be
but one loyal wish-namcy. that may die, as have
lived, citizen OF the unbroken Amercaa Union, and
10 SNH o BRIkN, Esq, Kilney. county Dublin Ireland
may leave TO those who come after me, received
from those who went before US all its honored usttu
tions unmpared and reinv gorated. remain my dear
sir, yours sincerely and truly,
WILLIAM III. SEWARD