The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-07-27
DEPARTMENT oF SrATE.
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1866.

W ASHINGTON, JuIy II, 1000.
"SiR: Excuse me for expressing
surprise that you ask me whether APP
prove of the call of a proposed Union
National Convention at Philadelphia.
After more than five years of disloca-
ton by civil war, regard arestGration
of the unity Of the country Its most I'M
mediate as well as its most vital inter
est. That restoration will be complete
when loyal men are admitted as repre-
sentatives of the loyal people OF the
eleven States so long unrepresented in
Congress. Nothing but this can COM
pIete it. Nothing more remains to be
done, and nothing more is necessary.
Every days delay is attended by mll-
tiplying and increasing inconVenlen-
ces, embarrassments and dangers, at
home and abroad. Congress possesses
the power exclusively. Congress, after
n session Of seven months, still refuses
to exercise that power. What can be
done to induce Congress to act? Ihis
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 Of the
United States shall assemble by dele
gates in convention, and that when 50
assembled they shall address Congress
by respectful petition and rem0n-
STRANGE, and that the people in their
several States, districts and territories
shall approve, sanction and unite IN
such respectful representations to Con-
gress.
mo one party could do this eflec-
tually. or even seems willing to do IT,,
alone. No local or popular 0rganiza-
ton could do it etfectually. 1t is the
interest of all parties alike, OF all the
States, and of all sectiOns-a national
interest-the interest Of the whole peO-
pie. The Convention, indeed, may
not succeed in inducing Congress to
act, but if they fail, the attempt can
make matters no worse, it viii be a
lawful and patriotic attempt made in
the right directiOn-an effort to be re-
membared with pride and satisfaction
whether it succeed or fail. The origi-
nal Union Of the States was brought a.
bout by movements of the same char
acter. The citizen who ojects to the
convention is bound TO propose better
plan Of proceeding to effect the desired
end. No other one is offered, or even
thought of. Those who should oppose
it would seem to me to manifest at best
unconcern, if not opposition, to all re-
construction, reorganization or recon-
citation between the alienated masses
Of the American people. Tosldmit 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. l believe no
such thing. \ gieat political writer
says that government Is a secular re-
ligion, and that the people of every
country are divided into two classes,
each maintaining a distinct political
faith. The one class always fearing
the very worst that can possibly hap
pen, and the other hopes, under every
circumstance, the very best that can
| in any event happen. Without accept
ing this theory as absolutely true, l
think that all men do generally act
from a motive to guard against public
danger, or else from a positive desire
to DO good. Both classes may, there
fore, favor the present attempt to re-
store the unity OF the nation. / am
sir, your Obedient servant,
VIM. II. SEWARD.
''The Hon. J. r. DooLITTLE, Chair
man Executive Committee, etc"