Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-08-26
RESPONSE OF SECRETARY SEWARD.
Department of Stat
Washington, August 10. lSGp.

Washington August 10, lsG2
TO f. W. Hughes, ESP, Headquarters of
the Democratic State Central Committee
Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia:
DEAR SIR:-l have had the honor of re-
ceiving your letter OF the Nth inst, together
with the three papers To which it refers two
Of them being appeals written by yourself.
and addressed by the Democratic State
Central Committee "to the Democrats and
all other friends of the Constitution in
Pennsylvania, and the other being u call
for mass meeting of the citizens Of Phila.
delphia the objects of which meeting will
be ITO express u firm purpose 10 stand by
the maintenance Ofthe National Constitu-
tiOn with devotion to the American Union"
and, further, ito declare hostility to the 20.
licy and measures of all who seek TO prosti-
tute the country TO the purposes of Aboli-
tionism, and formally TO express the inten-
tion Of the Democratic party to do MS ii has
always hitherto done, namely, to support the
Federal Government in the exercise of its
constitutional power, and to defend it, at
whatever peril, against the insiduous and
reasonable teachings of Aholitionistsn
You tell me that some influential Jour
nails conducted 10y political friends of mine,
censure one Of these papers as reasonable,
and that the others are conceived in the
same spirit with the one which is so harshly
judged You desire me TO read them and
weigh them for myself. You further inti-
mate hope that the perusal Of the papers
will have the effect Of producing exertions
on my part to induce the President to favor
policy to put down the demon Of Abol-
tonism.
| have read the documents thus submitted
to me, with IL high respect for the authority
by which they were ISSUED, and with full
confidence in the sincerity of the devotion
TO the Union which, as their author, you
have avowed
You will allow me 10 say that this nation
is now engaged, not in II political canvass
between opposing parties about questions of
civil administration, but in civil war car
ried on by opposing armies on M issue of
national life or death.
Ii the revolution prevail there will he no
question of administration left to settle. II
it fall there will he time enough to settle all
such questions.
am not TO dictate Il course for others TO
pursue in this crisis But must say for nv
self, that neither us citizen, can | know,
with favor or disfavor, parties among the
supporters of the United States, any more
than | can make distinction between fac
tions which unite in aiding the rebellion.
~ nullon, IKE an Individual, can do only
one thing eilectually at one time. II cannot
wisely turn aside from the chase of the fear
lul Demon of Disunion, to pursue any in
lerior demon, whether imaginary or real.
think that the wrangles 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 moment cannot be wise in the Cubi-
net or in the assemblies of the people.
am occupied here either III mediatine
between differing parties and jealous sects
or else in watching and counteracting the
intrgues OF traitors in Europe But l some.
times think that il, instead Of being charged
with these duties, | were at liberty us You
seem to be, to serve the country in my own
way, ] could make an appeal TO Democrats
and Republicans, Aboltionists and Slave
holders, in behalf of our distracted country,
that would bring the whole people at once
under arms, and send treason reeling back