The Portland daily press., 1867-02-01
MR.. MOTLEY TO MIR. SEWARD.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
afF VIENNA, Dec. IL, 1866.

/. I'D. .1lasg VIENNA, Dec. IL, 1866. J ..'
Hon. w. II. Selcdrd, Secretary of State: so
sir: An hour or two ago received a letter
from you dated Nov. q, 1866, 10 which L hasten
to reply. You inform me that citizen OF the
United States has addressed letter TO the
President from Paris, stating that in the course
OF the last year .he had occasion TO see some
thing of our Ministers and Consuis IN various
countries that most OF those whom ne met
were bitterly hostile to the President ana the
administration and expressed that hostility IN
so open manner as to astonlsh Americans,
and to leave a very bad impression on Europe
ans. With the opening paragraph relating
generally to United States ministers and Con-
suls abroad have nothing especial to do. 9th
er gentlemen are fully competent to answer
for themselves. ...rsizf rtt-- ~. g'.4tttt -i-lt
You proceed to say: He adds "that you do
not pretend TO conceal your disgust, as he saws
YOU style it, at the Presidents whole conduct:
that you despise American democracy, and
loudly proclaim that an English gentleman is
the model OF human perfection; that the Presi-
dent has deserted his pledges and principles in
common with Mr.. Seward, who, YOU saw is
hopeiessly degraded" You conclude by re-
questing me to deny or confirm the truth of
these reports H. - $500
My first impulse on receiving your letter was
to content myself with . fiat denial OF their
truth. On little further reflection however
do not wish that there should be doubt as to
my political sentiments as a representative of
the foreign politics OF the Government. have
done my cest faithfully to discharge my duties
IN strict conformity with my instructions. In
the conflict of opinions in regard to home ques-
tons, especially that OF reconstruction, my
views have never been asked for by the Unit
ed States Government, and should have con-
sidered it unbecoming amt superftuous to vol
unteer public declaration OF them, as certain
1y should L have deemed it my duty to ex-
press them frankly whenever they were offici-
ally demanded. L do not understand that /
am even now directly questi >ned on the sub
lect, but after reading your letter owe it to
myself to say a few words. .i 1eimw $50
A nave always believed that strong guaran-
ties should be taken against recurrence of the
rebellion and the establishment of any form of
Slavery before the seeded States should be re-
admitted to representation in Congress, Lat
terly am inclined to the opinion that the no
d blesG and safest course would be by an amend
ment OF the Constitution, prohibiting the dis
tinction of race or color i'll regard to the fran
chise, together with general amnesty to be
proclaimed by the President. These opinions
Al Ine privacy OF my own household, and to an
occasional American visitor, have not con-
cealed .lsl.Hst.s E8 NftV
The great question now presenting itself for
solution demands a conscientious scrutinizine
by every American who loves his country ana
believes i'll the human progress of which that
country is one OF the foremost representatives.
have never thought, during my residence at
Vienna, that, because have the honor OF be-
ing a pubic servant Of the American
ing, within my own walls, the gravest subject
that can interest treemen. A Minister of the
United States is as deeply interested as others
III all that affects the welfare of his coun .ry.
id La conversation with such OF my colleagues
or members Oh the Government here as were
interested IN our politics, have uniformly stat
ed that the conflict OF opinions now prevailing
in the United States was inevitable in a free
country. That such discussion was the very
evidence OF our freedom and OF our capacity to
govern ourselves. That to silence discussion
belongs 10 despots and not to Republican
Government ike ours, and that had entire
taitn chat the American people would settle
all disputed questions with justice. have al
ways been cautious, however, III snch consd
~eraGions, TO avoid any expressions OF disrespect
toward The President or his Cabinet. L have
uniformly stated that il our own country the
people were not only theoretically but practl-
cany sovereign, and that when great political
Questions were TO be solved, appeal was mad
10 the ballot box. L have steadily ex-
pressed the opinion that the President AM
Congress would De reconcIled after the people
should nave pronounced its solemn verdict
and have adued that all parties in the United
States, as believed honestly, desired and re.
CURED the re-estiblishmenG OF the Union.
however they might differ as to the wiSesI .
means of securing L.. Tins is the wayin which
L have been IN the habit OF speaking officially
Or semi-otfic ially, and this is my reply to thu
charges contained III your letter SO lar as they
regard in any way the President of the Unlteo
States. That i despised American demoera- I
cy and Loudly proclaim that an English gen
tenlan is the model OF human perfectlon,' Is
SO pitlful fabrication that blush while &C.
nounce 1T. Amy one personally acquainted
with me, or VINO has taken the trouble 10 reaa
my writings, wheGner official or historical,
knows thaG more IervenI believer in Amer
can democracy than am does not exist i'll the
world. My expressions of reverence for the
American people during these few heroic years
have erred, If at ali, on the side of enthusiasm
and have often seemed to the skeptical some
what ex5ravagant. scorn to dwell longer Oh
the concempu lie charge. That have calico
M. Seward hopelessly degraded" is q vile
caiumny, and l5 wounds me deeply that you
could listen 1or moment 10 such a falsehood
In conclusion, have only TO add that beg
herewith respectfully to resign my post as Uni-
ted States Minister at Vienna. III ..ii.
-.. am, sir, your obedient servant, -og
(Signed) j.. LATHRoP MOTLEY.