Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-10-23
Speech of Secretary Seward at
/ Auburn, New York.

| AuDuFh, New York.
New YORK, Oct. 21.-Secretary Seward
yesterday deliyered an address to the citi-
zens OF Auburn. After cOngratuating the
country upon the return of peace, he refer
red to Andrew johnson, saying that i'm the
opening of the rebellion it was necessary
that popular leader should arise OH behalf
OF the country. A man from hesitating
Border State-a STAKEHOLDER in practice,
though not in principle, and yet In princi-
pie and assertion a Democrat-Andrew
johnson, with the consent of the whole
American people, assumed the great re-
sponslbility. President Lincoln announce
ed chat slavery should be treated as pub
lie enemy, and Andrew johnson indorsed
the announcement. The attempted revo-
luton eliminated when our national BAN
her was successfully replanted in Tennes-
see. From that time through it was neces-
sary to prosecute the war with such ener-
gles as human nature had never before ex-
erted. 1t was equally needful to prosecute
the Deneflcent work of restoring the Union.
The abolition of slavery was thenceforth
equally an element Of persistent war and
| returning peace. Andrew johnson was
fitly appointed the first of the Provision
al Governors for the prosecution of
these double and diverse purposes
| OF war and peace, and was subse-
quently elected Vice President, and,
In the end, constitutionally inaugurated
a President Of the United States. We are
continually having debates concerning the
origin and authority of the plan Of restora-
tion. New converts, North and South, call
1t the Presidents plan; all speak of it as If
II were new and recent ntdevelopment. On
the contrary, we now see that it is not spe-
cially Andrew Johnson's plan, nor even a
new plan in any respect. 1t is the plan
/ xylli inh ahe.,
| to the last Administration at the moment
when the work of restoration was to begin.
It is essential that the insurrectionary
States should adopt this plan. This is what
l meant when | said to Mr.. Adams that in
the sense in which the word subjugation
was used by our enemies, 1t was not the ex-
pectation or purpose Of the Government
that the Southern States should be subju-
gated, but that by the plan adopted they
| would be brought to voluntary return to
their allegiance. The plan, therefore, rec
ognizes not their destruction, but their ac-
| tive existence. The absolute existence of
the States which constitute the Republic is
the most palpable of all the facts with
| which the American statesman has to deal.
| We spoke OF the American Union as sys-
| TEN to which the States were attached as
limbs, and said if a limb is broken Off it
| must be restored to sOundness be-
fore due constitutional health and vigor
can be brought back to the whole
system. If limb offend we can
cut it off and cast it away, but, by do
ing so, we would be doing what other ma
tiOns less wise than ourselves have DONE
that have submitted unnecessarily to am
| putation and given up a material portion of
their strength to save themselves from ap-
pretended destruction. He argued that
the reconciliation adopted so promptly, was
the most wise course to pursue. The plan
he said gives us two great national advances
In the progress of moral and political ele-
vation, which are now to be made fast and
| firmly fixed. First, it secures a voluntary
abolition of slavery by the insurrectionary
States, and second, by an effective adoption
| by the late slave States themselves of the
amendmentto the Federal Constitution pro-
hibiting slavery forever in any part Of the
United States. 10 hasten this work of re-
construction he urged in the language of the
President, "We must trust each other" AS
to fears of too much leniency on the part of
the President, he said, except those who
have been manned or bereaved, none had
suffered more of wrong, insult and inso-
lence, at the hands of the leaders of the re-
bellion, than the President, and cannot we
forget where he can forgive. His terms of
amnesty are far more rigorous than those
offered by Abraham Lincoln.
Mr.. S. guaranteed fidelity and faithful
ness on the part of Andrew johnson. He
had never, in his life, met man more free
from personal caprice and selfish ambition,
none more purely and exclusively moved
in public action by love of country and
good will to mankind. Mr.. Seward then
passed in review the different members of
the Cabinet since the first Inauguration of
Mr.. Lincoln, speaking highly of them all.
Concerning foreign nations, Mr.. S. said he
was permitted to say, in general terms, we
have claims on foreign nations for injuries
to the United States and her citizens, and
other nations have presented claims against
this Government for alleged injuries
to them or their subjects. He believed
the President would conduct these affairs
in such manner as to yield and recover
indemnities justly due, without any COM
promise of the national dignity and honor.
With whatever jealousy we may adhere to
our inherited principle of avoiding entan-
Cling questions with foreign nations, we
must continue to exercise just and be-
nefcent influence on the international con-
duct OF foreign States, particularly those
which are near to us on this continent, and
which are especially endeared to us by their
adoption OF Republican institutions. He
was sure the President had not lost sight of
this important interest, and he expected to
see Republican institutions, wherever they
have been heretofore established through
out the American continent, speedily vim
dicated, renewed and reinvigOrated. -
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