Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-29
Secretary Seward upon Democracy and
AboIition

Abolition.
Francis W. Hughes, of Philadelphia,
Chairman of the Democratic State Central
Committee, recently sent letter to secre-
tary Seward, with several Democratic ad-
dresses, asking his opinion of them. To
this the Secretary responded as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WAsuINGroN,
August 10Th, 1862.
To F. W. HUaHFs, Esq, Headquarters of the
Democratic State Central Committee Of Penn
sylvania, Philadelphia:
DEAR SRI have had the honor Of re-
ceiving your letter of the 14th instant, to-
ge:her with the three papers to which it
refers, two of them being appeals written
by yourself, and addressed by the Demo
cratic State Central Committee "to the
Democrats and all other friends of the Con-
stitution in Pennsylvania" and the other
being call for a mass meeting of the cit
iEens Of Philadelphia, the object of which
meeting will be I" to express a firm pur-
pose to stand by the maintenance of the
National Constitution with devotion to the
American Union and, further " to de-
olsrelhostility to the policy and measures of
all who seek to prostitute the country to
the purposes of AbOlitionism, and formally
to express the intention of the Democratic
party to do as it has always hitherto done,
namely, to support the Federal Government
in the execution of its constitutional pow
er, and to defend it at whatever peril, from
the insidious and reasonable teachings of
Abolitionists.'
You tell me that some influential jour
mails, conducted by political friends of mine,
oensure one ofthese papers as reasonable,
and that the others are conceived in the
same spirit with the one which is so harsh
ly judged. You desire me to read them
and weigh them for myself You further
intimate hope that the perusal of the pa
pers will have the effect Of producing ex-
ertions on my part to induce the President
to favor policy to put down the demon of
Abolitionism.
have read the documents thus submit
ted to me, with a high respect for the au-
thority by which they were issued, and
with full confidence in the sincerity of
the devotion to the Union which, as their
author, you have ayowed.
You will allow me to say that this nation
is now engaged, not in a political canvass
between opposing parties, about questions
of civil administration, but in a civil war,
CdIEleu vi Dy opposing armies, Oh IN ISSUE
ofnational life or death.
If the revolution prevail there will be no
questions Of administration left to settle.
If it fail, there will be time enough to set
tie all such questions.
am not TO dictate a course for others to
pursue in this crisis. But must say for
myself, that neither as public officer, nor
as a citizen, can know with favor or dis
favor, parties among the supporters of the
United States, any more than can make
q distinction between factions which unite
in aiding the Rebellion.
A nation, like or individual, can do on
ly one thing effectually at one time. It
cannot wisely turn aside from the chase Of
the fearful demon Of Disunion, to pursue
any inferior demon, whether imaginary or
real.
think that the wrangles which occur
red among the Crusaders about their re-
spective creeds, when they sat down to
the siege Of Jerusalem, were just as ration
al and Just as wise as disputes about AbOl-
ition would now be in the Army Of the
Potomac in front of Richmond. What is
unwise il the camp at such a moment
cannot be wise in the Cabinet or in the
assemblies Of the people.
1 am occupied here either in mediating
between differing parties and jealous sects,
or else in watching and counteracting the
intrigues Of traitors in Europe. But
sometimes think that if, instead of being
charged with these duties, were at iber-
ty, as you seem to be, to serve the country
in my own way, could make an appeal to
Democrats and Republicans, Abolitionists
and Shareholders, in behalf Of our distract
ed country, that would bring the whole
people at once under arms, and send treason
recling back into the den of darkness from
whence it sprung. do not know how this
would be, but do know that if we're in
your place, should try.
am, very respectfully, your Obedient
servant WHLIAE h. SEWARD.