Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-23


The Opposing views of the Secretary
OF state.
Consistency isno longer jewel, but inconsist-
ency appears to be at premium The Repub-
lican press have labored most diligently 70 cop-
vince the people that the Administration is the
Government, and .Iss- s-liag Cos G..selnmentl
can do no wrong. However willing NJ SLwARD
NAV he to accept and advocate that doctrine
now. he expressed himself most decidedly little
more than year ago. in September. 1862.
against identifying the Administration and the
Government one and the same In a letter to
Mr. ADAMS, the Minister to Great Britain, he
thus explains TO the English Government the DO
sition of political parties in this country:
ain this country, especially it is haiti not
only entirely consistent with the constitution, but
even essential 10 its stability Tegsrd the admin
isfTatioR at any time eriStiRq. As DISTINCT AND
SEPARATE FROM Tue GovERNMEET ITSELF, and to
canUass the proceedings of the one ,cithout the
thought Of disloEaity TO the other. We might pos
sibly have had quicker success in suppressing the
Instruction if this habit could have rested little
longer in abeyaDce; but, on the other naDd, we
are under obligations 90 save not only the unity
or integrity of the country, but also its nestima-
bic and precious constitution. NO0ne can safely
say that the resumption of the previous popular
habit does not tend 20 this last and most import
ant contamination, if at the same time, as we
confidently expect, the Union shall be saved"
Such were the sentiments of Mr. SEWARD. a
little more than year ago, carefully and delib-
erately expressed. 1t appears, however, that his
views have undergone marvellous change. The
sudden conversion of SAUL, of Tarsus, was not
tha
election in the State of New York, Mr. Secretary
SEWARD made a public speech at Auburn, his
family residence, and TO people who had fami
liarly known him during his long public career
If there ever was an occasion when a public
servant should express himself cardidly. that
certainly was one most appropriate and fitting
In that speech he said:
Your opponents commit The fatal error Of
suppoSinq that they diride the Administration
from the Government, and support the one and
discard the other. No man can serve two mast
ers. Consider this point for moment. II j;
only through the Administration that the country
can put forth the effort necessary for its rescue
If you discard this Administration of the Govern
ment by your votes, you bring no new or better
one to its place"
Mark the contrast. At one time Mr.. SEwARI
says that any citizen without the thought of dis
loyalty regard the existing Administration
as distinct and separate from it, and then a
another. that it 2 a fatal to entertain tn,
idea that the Government can be divided from
the Administration, or that the Govern
meht can be supported and the Admins
tration discarded. Mr.. SEWARD is tn
Premier Of the Administration. He is its repre-
sentative. He has the reputation of being
Statesman. When the administration of the gov
eminent has fallen into such hands. is it an.
wonder that our present national troubles ant
calamities have overtaken US? jon was no
more sorely afflicted than the American people
The supremacy Of weak and vain men, of ego
tsm and fanaticism. has been and is yet tn
curse of the nation.