The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-03
Mr. Seward Declines the Next Presidency

Mr. seward Uecll0eS Inc NoAt A1ooA"0ANJ
Mr.. Seward, having been informed OF the eS
istencc of club in Philadelphia, the purpoS
of which was to nominate HIM Tor the next Pres
idency, sent the following letter to Its Pres!
dent:
WASHINGTON, Dec. l6, 1861.
DEAR SIR: | have received the letter whlct
WAS addressed to me on the 18th inst. by you, ar
officer ola political association recently organ
lzcd in Philadelphia
You will excuse me- my dear Sir, Tor wna
may seem unkind or ungrataiul N this reply t.
that communication, which has given me some
uneaslness. and which only fails to inlct severe
pain upon me because do not regard the move
ment w hch it describes as one OF very conside
rable magnitude.
The Club, as you inform me, have adopted a
resolution to exert themselves to secure my ad-
vancement to the Presidency Of the United
States, ana this resolution is generously based
upon high appreciation Of such public services
as | have hitherto attempted 10 perform.
| avail myself f the good will Q! the Club,
thus 1attctiugly manifested to- say that l con-
sd1r the proceeding as one altogether unw'se,
and tending to produce only public evil in q
crisis when every possible path oil danger ought
to be carefully avoided. 1t is partisan move
ment, and worst Of all, partisan movement OF
a personal character.
If, when the present evil war was looming
up before us, had cherished an ambition to
attain the high position you have indicated |
should have adopted one OF two courses which
lay open to mc-namely, either to Withdraw
from the public service at home to u position OF
honor without great responsibility abroad, or to
retire to private life, md, avoiding the caprice
of fortune, await the chances OF public favor.
But deliberately TOOK another course. ie-
nounced all ambition, and came into the Execn-
tive Government to aid in saving the ConstItu-
ton and the integrity Of my country, OF to per-
sh with them. 1t seemed to me, then, that
must necessarily renounce all expectation OF tu.
ure personal advantage, order that the counsels
that might give to the President in such IL crl'
sis should not only be, bat be recognized us be-
ing, dsinerescd loyal aud patriotic.
Acjing on this principle, shun no danger
and shrink from noresponsibl'ty. 80 neither
look for, nor if it should be offered 10 me. would
| eyer hereafter accept any reward.
'ihc country is Ia he saved or lost by the
highest Efforts OF public and private virtue be-
fore another Presidential election shall occur
If it shall be saved, as believe 1t Will. do not
fear that my zeal in that great achievement will
be overlooked by the grateful generations 10
come after us. If. on the other hand who shall
study the causes Of the great rum Shall not find
among them any want of selt-sacriiice on my
part. | could never consent, if unanimously
called upon. to be "a President Of division Of the
Republic. checriully give up INV aspirations
for rule in The whole Republic as a contribution
to the Efforts necessary maintain it in its in
tegrity. hardly need add that it results from
these circumstances ti,at not only ask but per-
emptorlly require, my friends, in whose behalf
you have written to me, to drop my name hence-
forth and forever from among those to whom
they look as possible candidates for national dis
tinctions and preferments.
Very truly yours, WILLIAM II. SEWARD.