Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-18
Letter from Mr.. Seward Endorsing the
Philadelphia Convention. se l..
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been made public cue g H+L HN
!. DEpARrMEgr OF STATE,

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
- WASHINGTON, July ii, 1866.
SIR-Excuse me for expressing surprise
that you ask me whether / approve OF
the call of proposed National Union
Convention at Philadelphia. After more
than five years of distractions by civil
war, regard a restoration of the utility
of the country its most immediate as
well as its most vital interest
That restoration will be complete when
loyal men are admitted as Represents
tiyes of the loyal people of the eleven
States so long unrepresented IN Con-
gress Nothing but this can complete
it nothing more remains to be done /;
nothing more is necessary. Every day $
delay is attended by multiplying and
increasing inconyeniences, embarrass-
ments and dangers, at home and abroad
Congress possesses the power, exeiu'
sively, to admit them
After session of seven months, Con
gress stil omits to exercise that power.
What can be done to induce Congress to
act? This is the question of the day
Whatever is done must be done in ac-
cordance with the Constitution and laws
1t is in perfect accordance with the Con-
stitution and laws that the people of the
United States shall assemble by delegates
in convention. and that, when so assem-
bled, they shall address Congress by re-
spectful petition and remonstrance, aud
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 effectualy, or even
seems willing 10 do il alone No loyal
or popular organization could do it effect
ually. 1t Is the interestof all the parties
alike, of all the States and of all the sec
tons alike Of the States, and of all sec
tons a national interest, the inter
est of the whole people. The. Con
yention may not succeed in indu-
cling Congress to act; but if they fail
the attempt can make matters no worse.
1t will be lawful and patriotic attempt,
made in the right direction-an effort to
be remembered with pride and satisfac-
ton, whether it succeeds or fails The
original union of the States was brought
about by movements OF the same charac-
ter. The citizen who objects to the Con-
yention is bound 10 propose a better
plan of proceeding to effect the desired
end. No other plants offered or thought
OF. Those who should oppose it would
seemto rue to- manifest, at best, uneon-
Germ, if not opposition to all reconstruc-
ton, reorganization and reconciliation
between the afenated masses Of the
American people. To admit that the
Convention will fail would be to admit
that the people of the United States are
deficient in either the wisdom OF virtue
necessary to continue the existance Of
the Republic. Ibelieve no such thing
A great political writer says that the
Government is a secular religion, and
that the people of every country are di-
vided into two classes, each maintaining
distinct political faith
The one class always fear the very
worst that can possibly happen, and the
other hopes under every circumstance
the very best that can in any event hap
pen Without accepting the theory as
absolutely tue, / think that all men do
generally act from a motive to guard
against public danger, or else from posi-
tive desire to do good Both classes
may, therefore, favor the present at.
tempt TO restore the unity of nation.
am, sir, your obedient servant,
/ VIM II. SEwARn
I To. j. X. Doolittle, Chairman of the
Executive Committee.