The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-07-25
TIE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
IgrTgg FROM HON WIN. =. SEWARD.
DKMARTNHNr OF 5rArs
Warrington. July II, 1855.


DEnARTAExr or SrArs,
Warrington. July II, 1855.
Sir: Excuse me for expressing surprise
that ysu ask me whether | approve OF the
call Of proposed National Union Conyen-
zion at Philadelphia.
After more than eve years OF dislscation
by civil war, regard restoration u the
unity Of the country as its most immediate.
as we'll a. its most vital interest. That
restoration will be complete when loyal
men are admitted IS representatives OF the
legal people Of the eleven States SO long
anrspresented in Congress. Nothing but
this can complete it. Nothing more re-
mains to be dent. land nothing more is ne
eessary. Every days delay is attended
BY multiplying and increasing inc0nven-
fences. embarrassmeats. and dangers. at
homo and abroad. Congress possesses The
power exclusively; Congress, af.er sos
sion Of seven months. still omits to exer-
else that power. What can be done 10
induce Congress to acti" This is the
question Of the day. Whatever Is done
must be in accordance with the constitu-
ton and laws. II is in perfect accordance
with the Constitution and laws that the
people Of the United States shall assemble,
by delegates. in convention, and tnat
when 50 assembled they shall address
Congress by respectful petition and re-
monstance, and that the people IN their
several States. districts. and Territories
shall approve, sanction, and unite IN such
respectful represent, tons to Congress. No
one party could do this effectually, or even
seems willing 10 do it, alone mo local or
popular organization could do II efiectaal-
IL. Il, is the interest of all parties alike |;
Of all che States, and Of all seetions--a ma
tional interest; the interest OF the whole
people.
The Consentien, indeed, may net sue
coed in inducing Congress TO act; but 1t
they fail, the attempt caa make matters no
worse. II will be lawful and patriotic
attempt made in the right direction, an Ell
fort to be remembered with pride and sa-
tisfaction, whether it succeed or fail. The
original union Of the States was brought
about by movements Of the same character.
The citizen who objects to The Convention
is bound to propose better plan OF pro-
ceed,ug 10 eject the desired end. No 9TH
err plan is offered or even thought OF. Those
who should oppose il would seem to me to
manifest at best uneoncern, if not opposi-
tion to all reconstruction, reorganization.
restoration, and reconciliation between the
aIieoated masses Of the American people.
To admit that the Convention will iali
would be 10 admit that the people oil the
United States are deficient IN either the
wisdom or the virtue necessary to continue
the existence Of the Republic. l believe
no such thing. A great political sr'tsr
saws that government Is a secular religion,
and that the people Of every country are
divided into two classes, each maintaining
a distinct political faith. The one class
always fears the very worst that can psssi-
bly, happen. and the other hopes under eve
~ circumstances the very best that can In
any event happen.
Without accepting this theory as aoso-
lutely true, think that al men do gene
rally act from a motive TO guard against
public danger or else IRON apositise desire
10 do good. Both classes may. therefore.
favor the present attempt to restore the
unity Of the nation.
| am, sir, your obedent servant.
WILLIAM III. SEWARD.
Hon. J. r. DecLIrrIE,