Weekly Trinity journal., 1865-11-25
Secretary Seward's Speech.


ship and unsel6sh patriotism of that great man.
1t will also be taken as unmpeachabe evidence
that the Chief Executive of the Nation is pursu-
ing a course most certainly calculated to success
fully result in blending anew our National ele-
ments as one, and that he is merely carrying out
the policy inaugurated by ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 1t
is perfect yindicatiun of the policy of the Ad-
ministration, and such one is could hardly be
looked for from any man but Seward.
The speech was delivered at his home in Au-
burn, New York, during temporary visit there,
it being the first the Secretary had made since
the murderous attempt at his assassination 1t
is full of noble, sympathetic and unprejudiced
utterances, such the people have come to ex-
pect from America greatest statesman when any
important issue agitates the country.
Among the cherished remembrances of early
life we can revert to occasions when it was our
privilege to listen to the then naturally revered
sentiments of him who has come to be the guild
ing star of great people. We well remember
him as he was then, just in the prime of vigor-
GUS manhood, but as time has proved, not of his
greatest usefulness. Whether in the forum, as
the champion of the great Wing party of those
DAYS, or in the lecture room of the Seward Inst-
tute in his native town of Florida, he was always
listened to with the same fond and respectful at
tention--the cherished idol of the aged and the
enduring hope and exemplar of the young. We
were taught from boyhood to revere the now IL
lustrious statesman for all that good and To-
Bile, and now that years and wisdom have multi
piled with him, we feel a natural pride in remem-
bering that veneration for the man has grown
with our growth candidly confessing that the
hours of advanced years are never more satisfac-
torily spent than when we are allowed to peruse
some recent emanaton of his great and unequal
ed genius.
The speech opens with a defense Of the Presi-
dent in the policy adopted towards the States and
people recently in rebellion, and should put an
end to the silly carping of some Union newspa-
pers on that point 1t is full of clear and con-
vincng argument in favor of leniency toward the
lately rebeed States, and of bringing them back
as speedily as possible into full fellowship in the
Union. While we regret our inability to publish
the entire speech, we shall make room for some
interesting extracts. To begin, we copy his COM
plimentary reference to President Johnson:
In the place Of Abraham Lincoln we have new Pre,
dent. Ia most Of you he Is personally unknown. The peo
pie around me with their customary thougittnne-s
inquE- oi those VINO arc nearer to Inn than Themselves
what Of man Andrew johnson is and what
Of President he may be expected he. when. 1861
wing aside for the the already olnuyin.
mask of slavery aud investing itself with the always
honored robes of democratic freedom flushed
luri light through the Senate Chamber and announced
already completed dissolution of the Union. then leader
who should he at first Senatorial and afterwar popular
leader was required to awaken sleeping loyalty ami patriot
ism throughout the land to its unconscious hosts and
in prc them with the resolution needed the
Constitution suppress the rebellion and preserve the ner
ty Of the republic. Applause To seemed to
in this necessity resulting from circnm
stances that that leader while he should be capable in
flexible and devoted patriot should also he citizen of
heating Border staeand STAKEHOLDER in practice though
not IN principe AMI ASSOCIATION Democrat Andre" John
Of Tennessee conrlcy filled those complex conditions
and with the consent Of the whole American people he
sunied the great responsibility. Loud applause The
nsuIrcction became nagitious, nsoen defiant and
announced. the astonishment of mankind that the pre-
tended free empire which it building by usurpaon
of slavery The newly inangnrated President Lincoln
fienccortl slavery deemed
accepted the conditions of his popular leadership which
this announcement created and Ihencefrward he openly
freely and heartily declared not only that the erection Of the
edfce should be prevented but the cornerstone of slave
itself the rock all past well of all then f
from the republic. TRcnewel applause.l
Referring TO the principle of reconstruction
adopted by the Administration, he says:
Federal republic exists. and henceorth and forever
Of these several free selfexsfin states These
hand are they posts hauled together squared ana newell
and erected loosely upon but they living growing
majestic trees whose roots arc widely spread ana ntcace
within the so and whose shade covers the earth Applause
If time any of these trees shall be blown down or up
turned by violence it must be lifted up aAn in its proper
place. and sustained by kindly bands u 1t mas renewed IT'S
natural stability and erectness Applause If at any time
the American Union is fractured through lesion of Of
its limbs that limb must be restored to soudss before de
constitutional health and San be brought back 10 the
whole system If Of these limbs offend we have indeed
the power-and will not ctvl about the rgh-to cut II of
and cast it away from but when should have done
that would have then done just what other nations less
wise than ourselves have done that have submitted unneces
sarily to apuation. and given up material portion of
their strength to save themselves from apprchende dcs;ruc
ti" ne hinw e inherent strength vitality anu xg'r "i
the people We neither pas-onatciy offending
all Of our limbs capable of being restored and all are
necessary to the proongation of national life. A
plause. You will ask whether reconciliation which fol-
lows SO closely upon military coercion con be relied upon
Can it be sincere: Can il be permanent answer. Do
you admit separation to be in possible? Does any
body now believe that ever will ertter become possibe
Will yourselves consent to it, You answer
all these questions in the negative Is not reconciliation
then not only desirable but imperative! Is any other re-
concation under the circumstances possible? Certainly
you must accept this proposed reconciliation you must
purpose to delay and wait until you can procure one
Good requires that simple fractures much
compound shall healed if possible at the first
tension Wond not delay necessarily proiong anarchy
Are sure that procure better reconciliation
after prolonged anarchy, without employing force? Who
will advocate the employment of force merely to hinder and
delay through prolonged anarchy reconciliation which
feasible and perfectly consistent with the Constitution,
The plan of reconciliation persuing has !
given great national advances in this Of moral
and political elevation. which to be made fast and
firmly fixed. First it voluntary abolition Of slave
ry by every State which has engaged in insrrecon; and
secondly ii mrst and does efectua adop
tion by the late slave States themselves of the Amendment
Of the Federal Constitution which declares that neither
slavery involuntary servtude except for crime, shall
hereafter exist in any part of the United States Ap
pause The people who have steadily adhered to the
true path Of democratic progress and civilization through all
the seuctions Of peace and through many dulties and
at such fearful cost in will have new inducements
and encouragemens preserve that path until they shall
have successfully reduced to verify the sublime assertion of
the political equality of all which the founders in their
immortal declaration laid down the basis Of American
Union.'
In regard to the professions or demonstrations
of favor made towards the new President by par
ties who have heretofore opposed his Admins
tration, they did that of his predecessor, the
Secretary remarks
You ask May the President yet prove unfaithful to
US For myself. laid aside partisanip if had any, in
1S when the salvation of the country demanded that
rce Is not therefore, my purpose TO descend tn mere
parsanshp Andrew johnson laid aside, am
whatever Of partisanship he had at the time. Ap
plause That noble act did allow, but. the other
hand it forbade colluson by the friends Of the Union with
of the policies