Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-09-06
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

WASHINGTON, August 49, 1862
To =. W. Hughes Esq, Headquarters Of the Demo
crsts state central COMMITTEES Of Pennsy lY ania
Philsdsph phia:
DEAR SIR: l have had the honor Of receiving
your letter of the l4th instant together with the
three peperS 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 Coastitu-
ton in Pennsylvania" and the other being a
call for a mass meetiag of the citizens Of Phila-
delphis, the objects of which meeting will be to
express a firm purpose to stand by the main
tenance of the national Constitution with devo-
zion to the American Union," and further, " to
deelsre hostility to the policy and measures OF
all who seek to prostitute the county to the pur-
poses Of abolitiCnism, 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 exercise OF its
Constitutional power, AID to defend it, at what
ever peril, against the insidious and reasonable
teachings Of abolitonists."
You tell me that some influential journals,
conducted by political friends Of mine, censuIe
one of these papers as reasonable, and that
the others are conceived in the same spirit with
the one which is so hsrshly judged, You desire
me to read them and weigh them for myself
You further intimate hope that the perusal of
the papers will have the effect of producing ex-
ertions on my part to induce the President to fa-
vor policy to put down the demon of abeli-
tionism.
have read the documents thus submitted to
nae, with a high respect for the authority by
which they were issued, and with full confidence
in the sincerity of the devotion to the Union
which, ss their author, you have avoWed.
You will allow me to say that this nation is
now engaged, not in political canvass between
opposing parties about questions of civil admin
istration, but in civil war, carried by oppos-
ing armies on an issue of national life or death.
If the reDOludon prevail, there will be no
questions of administration left to settle. If it
tail, there will be time enough to settle all such
questions.
am not to dictate course for others to pur-
sue in this crisis. But l must say for myself
that, neither as public officer, nor citizen,
can know with favor or disfsyOr parties smoLg
the supporters Of the United States, any more
than l can make a djstinctiction between fac
tions which unite in aiding the rebellion.
A nation, like an individual, can only do one
thing etfsctually st one time. 1t cannot wisely
turn aside from the chase of the fearful demon
of dsunion to pursue any inferior demon,
whether imaginary or real.
l think that the wrangles which occurred
among the crusaders about their respective
creeds, when they sat down to the siege of Je-
as disputes about abolition would now be in ths
Army of the Potomac iR front Of Richmond.
Whist is unwise in the camp at such moment
cannot be wise in the Cabinet or in the assem-
blies Of the people.
am occupied here either in mediation be-
tween different parties and jealous sects, or else
in watching or countsracting the intrigues OF
traitors in Europe. But 1 sometimes think
that if, instead of being with these duties,
were at liberty, as you seem to be, to serve the
country in my own way, l could make an ap-
peal to Democrats and Republicans, abolition
lists and slaveowneTs, ia behalf Of our distracted
country, that would bring the whole people at
once under arms and send treason reeling back
into the den of darkness from which it sprung.
do not know how this would be, but do know
that if / were in your place / would try.
l am, very respectfully, your Obedient servant.
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.