Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-05-23
Mr.. SEwARD'S GREAT SPEECH AT
AUBURN, NEW YORK.
FULL REPORT,

y
kind imp ortunity will not avail me as an ex-
cuse for speaking, If 1 ought TO keep silence
Perhaps, however, the solicitude which per-
yades the country may Justify all IN con-
yersing upon political topics in a candid
and patriotic spirit. We were together here in
October last: The national condition has un-
aergone some material changes since that time
We were then ON the verge of a series of eIec-
tons throughout the States. The leaders who
so pertinacIously claimed TO be Democrats or
ganlzed with their customary machinery and
ovatlons They had wisely ceased to denounce
as failure the war for the Union, which had
at last become glorious success They
thought to undermine the distinctive party of
.ne Union by anecung new born admira-
tioD, and for its chief Andrew johnson They
seemed anxious 10 prove their devotion supe-
rlor 10 others by committing themselves TO
support MIN as a candidate for the presidency
in 1865.
They inscribed our reconciliation notices
upon their newly-wrought banners, and re-
organizing their struggling lines well as
they so hastily could, they vehemently charged
onward for a partisan not patriotic victory
What led the Democratic leaders 10 make thIs
change was the striking, l NAV call it the
mary eloUs, phenomenon which was inst then
exhibited on the scene Of the recent rebellion
The whole disloyal community in that
blighied and desolated region. accepting the
conditions OF partial amnesty and the invita-
tions TO returning allegiance which We're pro-
CLAIMED by the Administration. all AT once
they rerounced the principles, practices and
pohcy OF dlsunion and secession, and rendered
their oaths and brought forward with aIacrIty
The remains OF their long cherished institu-
lon OF slavery, and cheerfully threw il TO be
burned upon the constitutional altar which
they had so newly restored. These unexpected
changes in the attitude OF political adj
Versarles, once so obstinate. naturally
enough excited suspicious, jealousies and
apprehenslons among the loyal and tried
Union men. Ii was the old case OF Will
liam OF Orange. who having in civil war mt
down the tories, afterwards found il necessarv
and
right OF citizenship. Ii Is a case which has
ever occurred and which must eyerrnore occur
at the end of successful resistance to rebel
lion. How could Democrats and rebels be
converted to the support OF a triumphant
Union administration!
This was the question everywh here put by the
Jealous leaders of the Union party. It was at
that moment that answered that question hy
asking others, viz: How could Democrats and
rebels avoid being converted! Is il not their
conversion that you coutended for and that
you now desire! L expressed the opinion that
the condition of pesce, with its new RESPONSE
bllties, must thepceforth be IN good faith ac-
ceptea: 1 ADVISED prompt and complete rec
oncllllatlon, with the restoration at once of the
constitutional symmetry OF the Union
ReJectDg the ungenerous suspicion that the
Rebels and their Democratic abettors were only
changing their political strategy with traitor
Gus purposes. j remarked that with few and
marked exceptions they were now to be re-
celNed and accepted as fellow citizens and
brethren. | urged that this would be safely
done If only The tIipd friends of the Admins
tratIon. remaining united and harmonious. and
thus retaining their justly acquired prestige
should themselves promptly and magnani-
mously secure To the nation the endowment of
ardenuy desired peace and indispensably re-
qu1red prosperity.
For a time the friends of the Union acted
upon that policy. The elections everywhere
resulted in the defeat and overthrow of the
Democrailc organization, and placed the ad-
mlnIstratIon of Andrew johnson beyond the
reach OF danger at home or abroad
The work OF reconciliation has outrun ex-
peciatIon Indeed, 1t has never had a parallel
IN human affairs. With internal com motions
and disturbances less serious than those
which sometimes attend popalar elections in
1Tee country in time OF profound peace
The heretofore dlsloyal people of Virginia
tennessee, North Carolina, South Caro- lima
Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, and
leAas, have successfully, nav, almost stimuli
taneonsIy, assembled and adopted new con-
slltutlOns IN conformity with the Constitution
OF ihe United States. They upturned rebellion
with all lis far-spreadng roots and all its poi
sonous son traits; apd they accepted and ratified
the Constitution, which abolished slavery
thenceforth and forever. The people OF these
STATES have at the same time chosen for them
selves, by tree and uncontrolled suffrage
Governors, Legislatures. Judiciaries and mn
nlcipal authorities. Between the Federal
Government and these restored and recop
niZed State governments there exists now a
more complete and practical harmony than
mas ever before prevailed between the Union
and so many OF its members since IL was
nrst established. Within the same time theex-
ecutive department of the United States has
assumed Its functions among the people of
these former disloyal States. The State De-
partment speaks for them, with their free
consent. to principalities and powers. The
Treasury collects the national imposts and
taxes there.
The War Department distributes its forces
wherever and whenever il is necessary and
expedient to guarantee peace between the in
veteraie but fast expiring factions The Nayv
OF the United States rides freely in ali their
rerP re,oPened ports and harbors. The Post once
cirGulates through every vein and artery
there the knowledge which is the reyiyifving
blood OF a united republic.
The Internal department pays pensions, pro-
tects Indians. sells lands. and defrays the eY
'penses Of judicial investigation. The Attor
ney General prosecutes traitors and other dis Z.
nfbfrs OF the peace there before the Federal
Courfs All this has been done with the ac
tive concurrence of the people of those STATES
absolutely free from military control. while
the army ofthe United States, Instead of being
lncIeaseo, mas been reduced from a million
thousand. 0eA1
The expenses OF the Federal Government
nave oeen reduced from million and a half
per Day 10 sum less than the daily recelpts
OF the Treasury, and the great, but in every
sense sacred debt, Of the Union in aIreadv " nar
eepubly diminished. Foreign nations have
deslsted from intervention. and have assumed
an attitude OF conciliaton and friendship
The people OF: the lately disloyal States, de.
string to pass the last stage Of restoration as
SS6QAJOrS
represent them In the Senate. and members 10
answer for them In the House OF Representa-
uves. These representatives are daily waiting
at the Capitol. Throughout the loyal States
INDUSTRY is more vigorous and effective than
ever before. In the lately disloyal States can
ital and labor combining and co-operat.ne
under free cent act system, which 10 them
is altogether new, are beginning with success
TO obliterate the traces of ruin and de yastatiou
do not say that cavil and criticism car find
no dark shades to darken this pleasing picture
irregularities deform every human work. and
the telescope reveals TO US dark spots even on
the surface of the glowing sun.
In view on TINS rapid progress Of peace and
IeconciIiafion. we might well expect TO ind
tne country, II not con tented, yet cheerful and |
nopeful, as well as grateful TO Almighty God. |
Suen, indeed, conceive to be the real state Of /
tne public mind. Many citizens are unpre- /
pared 10 accept the improved situaton Of Il
affairs. Political zeal gives up reluctantly its /
contests over the dead past and stretches for /
ward to catch the omens OF an uncertain
future. sr.-r. ... ..-.-.-.
This habit of apprehension. is natural
enough, and hasits salutary uses. Bot on
the other hand, conseience, reason and iudg- /
me nj are the only practical guides of human |