The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-27
Letter from Secretary
Seward Endorsing the
Philadelphia Conven-
ton.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WASHINGTON, July II.

NlleGtlei L approve VI tlie' e'lli vi
Il proposed Union National Con-
. vention at Philadelphia. After
more than FIVE years Of dis!oaa-
tion by civil war, I regard Il
restoration of the unity Of the
country its most Immediate rs
well as its most vital interest.
That restoration will be COM
plete when loyal men arc admit
ted as representatives OF the
loyal people of the eleven States
so long umepresented in Con-
gress. Nothing but this can
complete it. Nothing more re-
mains to be done, and nothing
more is necessary. Every days
delay is attended by multiplying
and increasing inconvcnienccs,
embarrassments, and dangers, at
,~home and abroad. Congress pos
sesses the power cxc'usiyely.c
Congress, after a session Of seven
months, still omits to. exercise
that power. What can: be DONE
to induce Congress to act? This
is the question of the day. What
ever.is done must be done in ac-
cordance with the Constitution
and laws. It is iu perfect ac-
cordance with the Constitution
and laws that the people of the
United States shall assemble by
delegates in Convention, and that
when so assembled they shall
address Congress -bys respectful
petition and remonstrance; and
that the people in their several
States, Districts and Territories
shall approve, sanction, and unite
in such respectful representations
to Congress.
No >one party could do this
effectually, or even seems willing
to do it alone. No local or pop
ular. organization could do it ef-
fectually. 1t is the interest Of
all parties alike, Of all the States,
and of all sections-a national
interest.-the interest of the whole
people; The Convention, indeed,
may not succeed in inducing
Congress to act; bnt if they fail
the attempt can make matters no
worse. It will be a lawful and
patriotic attempt made in the
right drection-an effort to be
remembered with pride and sat
isfaction whether it succeed Or
fail. The original Union of the
States was brought about by
movements: of the same charac-
ter.
The citizen who objects to the
Convention is bound to propose
a better plan of proceeding to
effect the desired end. No other
plan is offered, Or even thought
of. Those who should oppose it
seem to me to manifest at best
unconceru, if not. opposition. to
all reconstruction, reorganization,
and reconciliation between the
alieniated masses of the Amer
can people.
To admit that the convention
will fail, would be to admit that
the people of the. United States
are deficient in either wisdom or
the virtue necessary to continue
the existence of the republic. I
believe no such thing. A great
political writer says that govern
ment is a secular religion. and
that the people of every country
are divided into two c1assas each
maintaining distinct political
faith. Tee one class always fear
ing the very worst that can pos
sibly happen, and the other hopes,
that under every circumstance,
the very best that can in any
event happen. Without accept
ing this theory as absolutely
true, [ think that all men do gen
orally act from a motive to guard
against public danger, or else