Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-17
Responses from the Cabinet to the
Call for the Philadelphia
Convention.
Letters of Secretary Seward,
Welles and Ex-Postmaster
General Dennison.

hasten to give in full to our readerx
SECRETARY SEWARD
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON,
July IL, 1S66-SIR: Excuse me for ex-
pressing surprise that you ask me whether
/ approve Of the call of a proposed Union
National Convention at Philadelphia Az
ter more than five years of disturbance by
civil war, / regard restoration of the
unity OF the country its most immediate
as well al its most vital interest. That res
toration viii be complete when loyal men
are admitted as Representatives of the loyal
people of the eleven States so long unTepre-
sented in Congress.
Nothing but this can complete il, nothing
more remains to be DONE and nothing more
is necessary. Every days delay is attended
by multiplying and increasing inconve-
niences, endorsements and dangers at home
and abroad. Congress possesses the power
exclusively. After a session of seventeen
months Congress still omits to exercise that
power. What can be done to induce Con-
gress to act? This is the question of the
day. Whatever is done must be done in
accordance with the Constitution and laws.
1t is in perfect accordance with the Consti-
tuition and laws that the people THE United
States shall assemble by delegates in con-
ventiOn, and that when so assembled they
shall address Congress by 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
seem willing to do it alone. No loyal or
popular organization could do it effeetually
1t is the interest of all parties alike, of all
the States and all sections, National inter-
est, the interest Of the whole people.
The convention may not succeed in in
ducing Congress to act, but if they fail the
attempt can make matters no worse. It will
be patriotic and lawful attempt, made in
the right direction an effort to be remem-
bered with pride and satisfaction whether it
succeeds or fails. The original union of the
States was brought about by movements of
the same character. The citizen who OBJ
jects TO the convention is bound to propose a
better plan of proceeding to effect the de-
sired end. No other plan is offered or even
thought Of Those who should oppose it
seem to me to manifest at least unconcern if
not opposition to all reconstructing, reor-
ganization and reconciliation between the
alienated masses of the American people.
To admit that the convention will fail
would be to admit that the people of the Uni
ted States are deficient in either wisdom or
the virtue necessary TO continue the exis-
tence of the Republic. / believe no such
thing. A great political writer says that the
Government is a secure religion, and that
the people Of every country are divided into
two classes, each maintaining distinct politi-
cal faith. The one class always fearing the
very worst that can possibly happen, and
the other hopes under every circumstance
the very best that can in any country hap
pen. Without accepting this theory as abb
solutely true, think that all men do gener-
ally act from motive to guard against pub
lie danger, or else from positive desire to
do good. Both classes may therefore favor
the attempt TO restore the unity of the coun-
try.
am, sir, your obedient servant,
WIN. H. SEWARD,
To the Hon. J. r. DoOLITTLE, Chairman
Executive Committee.
SECRETARY wELLEs.
The following is a copy of letter from
Secretary WELLEs to Senator DooLITTLE
approving the call for a Convention:
WASHINGTON, d. c., July IL, 1S6e.-SIR:
Your note of the 10th instant was received
yesterday. cordially approve the move
ment which has been instituted to sustain
the Administration in maintaining unbroken
the union of the States, and recognize in
the call which you have sent me the princi-
Piles and views by which the Administra-
ton has been governed. The attempt was
made to destroy the national integrity by
secession or the voluntary withdrawal of a
State from the Union, which was defeated,
and the war has forever extinguished the
heresy of secession. On the suppression Of
The rebellion, measures were promptly COM
menced to re-establish those fraternal rela-
lions which had for four years been inter-
rupted. The policy initiated by President
LINCOLN to restore national unity was
adopted and carried forward by President
JOHNSON. The States which had been in
rebellion were under this benign policy re-
Iuming their legitimate functions. The peo-
pie had laid down their arms, and those who
had been in instruction were returning to
heir allegiance. The Constitution had
,een vindicated and the Union was sup
posed to be restored, when a check was put |
lpor the progress to national harmony and |
pros perity thus dawning upon the country. |
On the assembling of Congress all efforts |
oward union and nationality became sud |
lenly paralyzed, the measures of reconcilia- |
ion which the President had, from the time
lie entered upon his duties, pursued with |
minent success, we're assailed, and their be- |
eficent purpose TO a great extent defeated. /
Attempts were made to impose conditions
'recedent upon States before permitting
hem to exercise their constitutional rights.
1oyal Senators and Representatives from
he States which had been in rebellion were
efused admittance into Congress, the people
Tere denied rightful constitutional represent
ton, and eleven States were and are ex-
luded from all participation in the Govern
lent. These proceedings which conflict
18th the fundamental principles on which
ur whole governmental system is founded
pc generating and consolidating sectional
and if long persisted in must
ventuate in permanent alienation. / re-
,ice, therefore, in n movement which has
,r its object the Uuion in one bond of love
the people of our common country, and
hich Invites to council and to political
ction the citizens of every State and Terri
Try from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
ON the lakes to the Gulf The centraliz-
* theory that the loyal and qualified Sena-
RS and Representatives from eleven States
I
lose States and the people Of those States
lall not participate in the Government is
,arcely less repugnant than that Of seces-
on itself Propositions to change the Con-
tuition and unsettle the foundation princi- |
les of our organic law, to change our jEdi
al system in such a manner as to destroy
Ie independence of the States by insidi- |
lsly transferring TO the Federal tribunal all
lestions relating TO the Efe, liberty and |
-0sperity of the citizen To change the
isis of representation, which was one Of
e difficult and delicate compromises of
e Convention Of 1857, when no States
ere excluded from representation to
iange the existing and wisely adjusted
stribltion of power between the different
.partments Of the Government by trans
rring the pardOning power in certain cases
pm the executive, where it properly be-
ngs, 10 Congress or the Legislative branch
the Government 10 which it does not le-
timately pertain, 10 incorporate into our
institution which is to stand through all
ne, a prescription Of citizens who have
red, and who are liable to penalties I'M
r existing enactments, by disqualification
rtaking Of the nature of eTpOSt faetO laws
q bills of attainder. These propositions
changes aggregated as one, and called an
lendment TO the Constitution designed 10
crate on the people. The people and
ties which are denied all representation
voice in the Congress which originated ]
M, are Of radical If not revolutionary
lracter. These and other proceedings
4 the political crisis which they have