The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-11-04
NR. SEW.dRD'S TIEWS.
The Secretary of State Defines His POSI-
sition on National Questicns.


sition on National Questicrss.
We have already given to our readers
meagre telegraphic account of the speech de-
Iyered at Auburn, N. Y, on Saturday, by Sec
re.ary Seward, defining his views ON national
issues. The following moro satisfactory synop-
sis will be read With interest:
After q lengthy review Of the events OF the
mast four years, Mr.. Seward reviewed the Presi-
dental contest Of 1864. and showed the Wis
dom of taking the old Northern Wing, Lincoln,
and tho old South IN Democrat, Johnson. Ac-
tive hostility, however, he said, had haroly
ended beforethere appeared q. portentous con-
flict Of popular ideas and opinions concernl:S
the proper conditions Of peace and reconcllla-
ton. and these ideas and opinions had rela-
ton to the so-called reconstruction OF the state
governments in the rebel States. He descr1b-
ed the various forms and plans for reconstluc-
ton, and compared the condition Of the coun-
try with that OF Franco after the revolution OF
1fs9, which gave way to military despotism.
The speaker then euloeized the late Presl-
dent Lincoln, AMI reviewed his administration
and the succession ofJonnson: Ine laIeer, nc as
said, in addressing himself to the holy WORK oi
national reconciliation, proceeded with due de-
liberation and with 6rmness and yigor.
MIR. Seward defended President Johnsons
policy of reconstruction at great length,
claiming that it was following merely the loot
steps OF Lincoln, an ] consisted simply IN open
ing the easiest shortest and safest way ter re-
turn into the national family of the people OF
the Southern States, who now repented Tor
their attempted separation.
He attacked violently the Radical plan Of re-
construction as proposed by Congress: ana ae-
nounced the impeachment project, and ciarac-
terized the designs Of the Radicals as wild,
and the reckless proceedings of the inconsist-
ent leaders such as kept Mexico in condi-
tion Of anarchy through the period OF forty
years, and which has left hardly stable, or
even peaceful republic remaining In South
America.
It was not his purpose to yindicate the part
he took in these proceedings. He said:
simply say, that as stood By tho wise and
maenanimous POLICY of the late President
Lincoln in his life, lhave adhered to that same
policy since his mortal remains We're COM
Initted to an untimely grave, and 1 have ad.
hered with equal fidelity to his constitutional
SUCCESSOR.
So much, Inv friends, !or the past. What for
the future? The cry is Irartically uttered by
ali sarties, ''Let us have peac.." What does
the country need IN view OF the painful situa-
tion?" answer my own Question. it Dceds
Just what it needed in 1865-the admiss ION OF
loyal representatives from the late rebel States
inSo' Congress, and it needs at this time, and
at our hands, no more; but it belongs to the
people OF those States just as much as it belongs
TO the people of this State to Say Nhethey they
shall live under one form OF republican govern
ment or another. do not ask or require the. the.
Representatives here or Governors there shall
be white or black, or mixed. insist only that
they shall be representative men, freely chosen
in those States by the people themselves, not
BY outside coGpuislon or dctation.
I shall hot take the sword into my hand Or
q 80. 31,oh ~ fony nthnr nnrSOn To ef-
feet reform by force in tnose States, where IN
which, am sure, it wall be effeooed much soon
er and much more permanently through the
exercise of persuasion and reason. AS little
do think it my duty to use tho sword 10 unao
br remove what has already been done IN those
States, whether it was necessarily done, OF uns
necessarily and unwise!y done. Ambitions OF
parties and chiefs must come to rest with the
close OF this election. aud calmncss and tran
uuillity must sooner or later resume their sway
Of the public mind.
It is possible that the dilemma of reconcilia-
ton may continue ursoived, and may require
the attention of the new administration. 1t IS
in this respect that deem the present choice
OF future chief magistrate not merely impor-
tant, but, perhaps, critically so. as the last two
choices were so. One consideration alone IS
sufficient to determine my Judgment IN this
emergency. 7 cannot forget that the civil war
has closed with two great achievements. -Ihc
one, saving OF the integrity OF the Union; the
other. the abolition Of African slavery. Tho
magistrates who are to preside Il the work of
reconstruction hereafter ought, Ike those who
have preceded in former stages Of that work,
to be men drawn from &2d representing that
clasy Of citizens who maintained the govern
Nment in its prosecution OF civil war aud in the
abolition of slavery. In no ether hands could
the work OF reconciliation be expected 20 be
successful.
The attitude of each OF the political parties
in this canvass is different from that 1 my self
could have desired. Very great crimes have
been committed i'll the name OF Hberty b. the
Republican party; nevertheless the lispub.lcan
party neither rests under any suspicion OF its
LOYALTY or its devotion to human freedom, nor
can it fall under any such suspicion. Inc Da-
. mocratic party, do not now propose to say WI h
how much Justice, has not conducted ltscif IN
its corporate and responsible action as to secure
the entire confidence OF loyal people in its uIl-
conditional and uncompromising adherence to
the Union, or in its acceptance and approval OF
the effective abolition Of slavery.
I entertain no jealousy of the Democratic
party or it's leader-no unfriendly or unchari
table feelings towards that great constituency.
On the other hand. cherish o grateful appre-
ciation Of the patriotism, maSn1nimity and
heroism Of m2ny cf my .aGow-citiz;ns, Viii
whom hare cheerfully labored and co-opera-
ted, while they still retain their adhesion to
the Democratic party. How could distrust
the loya'ty or virtue of Andrew johnson. Sc2a-
tor Buckalew. of Pennsylvania, or Senator Hen
bricks, Of Indiana, or his associate, Mr.. Nib
lack, or OF Mr.. Cox, of ONO, to whom, person
ally, more than to any other member, is due
the passage of the constitutional amendment
in Congress abolishing slavery?
To conide the responsibility OF tho govern
-uent to the Democratic party in the present
condition would be TO continue, and perhaps
increase, the lamentabie political excitement
which alone has delayed the complete restora'
ton of the Union up to the present time. l.,
result Of the election, if favorable to the ca..a
date OF our choice, will prepare the popular
mind to expect now what it has heretofore re re
easy solution OF the national embarrassments
Mr. Seward ended by stating throughout hi:
life he had been an advocate of universal sut
frage for exile, emigrant AMI slave, and nae
given to those classes the support and patron
age which the constitution permits and allows
T1,f