The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-08-28
F. W. HUGHES.
RESPONSE OF SECRETARY SEWARD.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, A ugfst 10, l86!

10 y. w. HUGHES, Esq, I1eauquaT'eT6
of the Democratic State Central Commit
the of Pennsylvania. Philadelpbia-Dsar
Sir. Il have had the honor Of receiving
your letter of the l4th inst, together with
the thres papers to which it refers. two Of
them being appeals written by yourself,
and addressed by the Democratic State
Central Committee "lo the Democrats and
all other friends Of the Constitution in
Psnnsy ylvania,' and the other being call
for mass meeting Of the citizens Of Phil
adelpha, the objects oI which meeting
will be Ito express firm purpose TO
stand by the maintenance Of the National
Constitution with devotion to the Ameri
eau Union," and, further, "to declare a
hostility to the policy Snd measures of all
who seek 10 PROSTATE the country to the
purposes OF Abolitionism. and formally to
express the intention Of the Democratic
party to do rs it has always hitherto done,
namely, to support the Federal Govern.
msnt 10 the exercise Of its Constitutional
power, and to defend it, at whatever peril
against the insidious and trea,onable
teachings of Abolitionists."
You tell me that some influential jour.
nails, conducted by political friends Of
mine csnsurc one Of these papers as trea-
sonable, and that the others are conceiv.
ed 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 intimate a ope that the pc
rusal of The papers will have the effect oI
producing exertons on my part to induce
the President TO favor policy 10 puI
down the demon oil AbolitionIsm.
have read the documents thus sub
mtted to me, with high respect for the
| authority by which they were issued, and
with full confidence in the sincerity o
I the devotion TO The Union which, as Iheil
, author, you have avowed.
You will allow me TO say that this ma
: lion is now engaged. not in political can
B vAss between opposing parties about ques
, ticns Of civil administration, but 10 Civi
1 war. carried OH by opposing armies on al
issue Of national life or death.
, II the revolution prevail there will b'
/ no questions Of administration left 10 set
tie. If it fail there will be time enough
3 to settle all such questions.
2 i am not to dictate a course for others
0 to pursue in this crisis. But | must say
o for myself, tha, neither as public Office
; nor citizen. can know With favor o
h disfavor, parties among the supporters o.
the United States, any more than Cal
make distinction between factions which
n unite in aiding the Rebellion. .
/ A nation, like an individual, oau do on
d " one thing eifectually at one time. |
# canpo, wisely turn aside from the chas
n of fearful demon of Disunion, to pursu
d any inferior demon. whether imaginar!
or real.
II l think that the wrangles which occur
% red among the Crusaders about their re
b spective creeds, when they sat down t.
the serge ofJsrusalom, were just as ration
al and just as wise as disputes about Abo
N lition would now be in the Army Of th
d Potomac iu front Of Richmond. What
uuwlss in the camp at such moment can
st not be wise in the Cabinet or in the as
I, ssmblies Of tue people
l am occupied here either in mediatin
i. between differing parties and jealous scots
or else in Watching and oounteracting III
81 intrigues Of traitors In Europe. Blu.
m sometimes think that If. instead OF beiu
le charged with these duties. were at libeI
4. ty, as you seem to be. to serve the coun
ut Try in my own way, would make an aE
ID peal to Democrats and Republicans, AbO
ol litionisls and shareholders, iu bebalf ofou
Of distracted county that would bring III
whole people at oroe under arms.and sen
10 treason reeling hack into the den ofdarl
ness from whence It sprung. I do nc
ID know how this would be, but do kno'
be that II / were in your place, should Try
be am, very respectfully. your obedisr
servant WM, q, sEWAHD.