The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-07-19
UV1TIONAL CONTENTION.
rrrER FROM HON. W. q. SEWARD.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, July II, 1866.

a;,. Excuse me for expressing sur
ia, ,5la that youask me whether | approve
PEE, .ho call of a proposed National Union
oelaur ~, at Philadelphia.
w flor more than five years OF disloca-
IA NV Nv civil War, regard a restoration
s ~ tbe unity of the country as its most
o:,l,,m ne as well as it's most vital in
, lii.'. That restoration will be COM
.9 ,ato when loyal men are admitted as
p1learuesentatiues of the loyal people so
i iei,a unrepresentep in Congress. Moth
; ;nn Init this cab complete it. Nothing
ll, remains to be done and nothing
a'ore is necessary. Every days delay
Intended by multiplying and increas-
:n1r inconvenience, embarrassments,
~, vi dancers. at home and abroad. Con-
, .sass after a session of seven months,
1;u omits to exercise that power.
What can be done to induce Congress
IA a,.ton This is the question of the day.
Whatever is done must be in accordance
.,sith the Constitution and laws. 1t is
~ ne nerfect accordance with the Constitu-
f;an and laws that the people the Uni
sa3 States shall assemble by delegates,
IN convention, and that when so assem-
Med they shall address Congress by re-
snprtf,ll petition and remonstrance, and
4bat the people in their several States,
districts and Territories shall approve
ssnetion. and unite in such respectful
concentrations to Congress. No one
nsrtv could do this efliectually. or even
saems willing to do it, alone; no local or
papular organization could do it effect
nalv. 1t is the interest of all parties
alike, of all the States, and ofall sections
iptf no m n
whole people.
The Convention, indeed, may not sue
iced in inducing Congress to act; but if
tAey fail, the attempt can make matters
no worse. 1t will be Il lawful and pa
Fiotie attempt made in the right diree
i6n. an effoat To be remembered with
ari1e aud satisfaction, whether it sue
aead or fail. The original union Of the
.=5tes 943s brought aheutb movements
u the same chafac er. The citizen who
objects 70 the Convention is, bound 10 ops
base better plan Of proceeding 20 effect
he desired end. No other plan IS offer
81 or even thought Of. Those Whoshould
aHpN!e II would seem to me to manifest
Il best unconcern, ii not opposition To
al reconstruction, reorganization, resto-
ration, and reconciliation between the
dtttltttii lllt,St'S VI tilc 4Ailiti lNtti pew
pie. 70 admit that the Convention viii
al would be TO admit that the people
81 the United States are deficient in Ell
TIER the wisdom or the virtue necessary
8r0nlnue the existence OF The Eepuh-
III, i believe no such thing. y great
political writer says that government i
Il secular religion, and that the people
Of every country are divided into two
classes, each maintaining Il distinct po-
tical faith The one class always fears
TIE very worst that can possibly happen,
&Hdthe other hopes under every circun-
stances the very best that can in any
event happen.
Without acceptsng this theory as abb
soutely true, think that all men do
generally act from motive 10 guard
5g9inst public danger or else froma pos
5z4ts desire b 10 geod. Bolh classes
faN,therelneo, favor the preslnta emrf
e fNsloge DE aai,y al i.aa nation.
am, sir, your obedieh servant,
" lillian Ii. SEWARD.
ilou. J. r. DooLIrTLE,
Craftsman Executive Committee, &c.