Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-07-27
LETTER FROM SECRETARY SEWARD EN-
D0RSIEG THE PHILADELPHIA CON-
VENTION.


LETTER FROM SECRETARY SEWARD EN-
D0Rs1NG THE PHILADELPHIA CON-
vENTION.
The following Important letter from Sec
re'ary Seward, on Tho proposed Pbiladel
pha convention, we take from our Wash.
inston exchanges of the 10th instant:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHINNToN, July IL.
SIR: Excuse me for expressing surprise
that you ask me whether approve of the
call Of a proposed Union Nation Conven
ton at Philadelphia. Alter more than
FIVE years of dislocation by civil war, | re.
gard restoration of the unity of tho country
its most immediate as well as It's most vital
interest. That restoration will be complc,e
when loyal men are admitted as rcpresen.
tstlves of the loyal reou'e Of the eleven
States so long unrepfesut.trd in Connre,s.
Nothing but this can comp'cto it. Moth
.nS more remalnt 10 be duo, ard nothing
more is neccss' 'ary.
Every days delay is attended by multi
plying an Increasing inconvenlences, en-
oarrashnh:s, an! dangers, at hone and
aoroa.d. Congress possesses the power cX-
ciusively. Congress, after session of Sc
ven months, still omits TO exercise that pow
er. What can be done 10 induce Congress
TO act2 This is The question Of til. day
Whatever is done must TO done in accor-
dance with the Constitution and laws. !,
is in perfect accordance with the Con>titu-
tion and laws that the people OF the Uni
ted States shall assemble by delegates in
con7ention, and that where so assembled
th.y shall address Congress by respectful
petition and remonstrancc; and that TIE
PEOPLE in their several States, Districts,
sud Territories shall approve. sanction, ani
unite in such respectful representations to
Congress.
No ono party could DO this c(feclua.lv,
or even seem willing to d, it alone. No
loca! or popular organiz .iion could GO il cE
'ectua!iy. 1t Is the interest Of all parLic>
alike, OF all the States, aud all sec,ions-a
rational interest-,!ie interest of the whole
people. The Convention, indeed, may hot
succeed III inducing Congress to nct but
II they tail the attempt can make matters
no worse. 1t vii! be a l.wll aud patriotic
attempt made in tho right dircc,inn--an
efort to Ce remembered, with pride and
catlstacton whether it succeed or fail. The
original Union OF the States WAS brouuh!
about by movements of tho same charac-
ter. The citizen who objects to the Con-
Ventlon Ia bouud TO propose better plan
OF proceeding to effect the desired end
No other plan is offered or even thought
OF. Those who should oppose it woulG
seem to me to manifest at best unconceru
1t not opposition, to all reconstruction, re-
organization, and reconciliation, between,
the al'enated masses Of the American nco-
rlo.
70 admit that the Convention, will fail
would be TO admit that the people Of the
Cnlted States are deficient in either wis
dom or the virtue necessary TO continue
the existence Of the Republic. 7 believe
no such thing. A great political writer
says that government is secular religion,
and that the people Of every countrv arc
divided into two classes. cach maintaining -
distinct political :a,h the one Glass always
iearitg the very worst lha: Can possibly
happen, and the other hopes, under every
circumstances, the very best that can in
any. event happen. Without accepting
this theory as absolutely true, I think thai
all moo do centrally act from motive to
guard against pubic danger, or else from
a positive des:le to do good. Both cas scs
may therefore, favor tie present alteupL 20
restore the unity Of tile nation.
an, sir your ohelent servant,
WILLIAM II. SEW ARD.
-Hor. J. r. DooLIrrLE, Chairman Exccu-
tive Committee, DC.