The New York herald., 1870-03-08
TIE SEWARD RECEPTION.
The City Fathers in Confab With the Son Of the
Empire state-Ths Politicians Crude Ad.
dress and the state5man's Polished Reply.


General Eyarts attended yesterday afternoon at the
City Han for the purpose OF receiving the Aldermen
OF the city. Mr.. Seward was ushered into the Gov
ernors Room. which was extremely chilly, and CT
which Mr.. Seward, though attired In an astrachan
coat lined with white fur, complained as soon as he
entered. Mr.. Evarts directed the Secretarys atten-
tion to the full length portrait In the inscribed
at the foot Seward" and playfnly remarked
"You looked quite fashionable. then Secretary, ;,
"Dont look like that, now ?" spoke up
the original OF the portrait. Mr.. Seward
certainly did look in good health and was
very cheerful He shook hands with superintendent
Kennedy who was the first arrival. Presently o
noise wthout betokened the advent OF the Alder
manic body. and rush was made at the doors, one
Alderman after another coming tumbling In. To
each Aldermanlc dignitary Mr. Seward proflersd the
hand OF friendship, and having thus disposed OF the
Aldermen. he retired to couch aud awaited the
reading OF the addresses. 1t not until the doors
were locked against surging, boisterous crowd
that SUFFICIENT order could be obtained for the pro-
cecdings to commence. 1t was notable that no
person Of city distinction present At this recep
ton.
Alderman woLrxAN then READ the following
address:-
HoNoRED sIR--It was with feelings Of profound
qualification and pleasure that your assem- re-
ceived by the members Of the Common Council or
this city, conveyed to them In your note OF the 4th
and esteem Tor them and designating to day as the
time when you would permit them, In consideration
9f tneir desire sopay their respects to you personally
OF the Common Council, tina they justly and fully
appreciate the distinguished nonor you nave con
ferred upon them, and which they viii ever bear In
the livelfest remembrance The Empire state has
ever been proud OF Its distinguished men, and none
ths your nonored self through long Years Of ae.
tive life, as leading statesman OF our republic you
your mind and ncart to the best Interest OF yo,lr M
country. And when the storm OF War swept with
fearful violence over It's peaceful wales and plains
and threatened destruction OF our Union ana those
institutions 80 dear to every patriotic heart and In
those dark hours when the assassins hand was
raised against your breast, you aid not falter,
but rose superior to every circumstance,
unawed and unintmidated. It Is for those virtues
ana services SO noble in their character that we
greet and welcome you to your native home after
your long protractcd absence abroad, and we trust
that yonr ltic NAV be prolonged Tor many years 10
ENJOY the love and regard OF your fellow citizens.
Alderman WoLTMAN then handed an engrossed roll
Of resolutions mounted on parchment, bound with
SILK. and said:-- G
Be pleased, sir to accent OF these resolutions.
passed ny the Common Council OF this CITY, and
which In unfegned sincerity express the regard and
esteem In which they hold you, and which they trust
you may be pleased TO preserve among the other
testimonials OF regard you nave received from your
Mr. SEWARD then read the following address,.
To receive unexpected public as well as private
hospitalues when solourning In distant States and
foreign lands is cheering; but to receive cordial
pubic welcome, as well as private greeting,
from friends, neighbors and countrymen, on return
ing home is q GROWING felicity OF travel. For the
generous and distinguished public welcome i desire
to make Acknowledgements which are more sincerely
and more gratefully felt than the conventional
words at my command could express Gentlemen,
you may remember how my confidence and hopes
IN the good destiny Of country into seeming
optimism during the sectional contentions and con-
nicts through which we have lately passed. That
buoyant confidence rested on ground little UNDER
stood or even perceived then. II seemed to me that
civilization on the American Continent Is nor several
distinct and different enterprises. but one great
symmetrical enterprise with universal repuD-
llcan equality for its Distinguishing political
feature and freedom or conscience its religious
characteristic: that 1t has not many COM
mercla centres, but one metropolitan centre. That
centre is the city OF New York. AL the states and
Territories OF the American Union gravtate
towards It. There is no cOunteractlng repulsivc
force and faction has no power adequate to break that
Rravlsation The observations have made In the
new States and Territories Of the United States as
well as without, have confirmed my conviction tnat
ali the Territories States and nations on the Amerl
ton TO accept their parts In the general civilization
OF the Cont mem as one system with this city - Its
GENRE. Jeaiousi es traditions, prejudces political
combinations and distances on land and sea NOT yet
raversed Oy steam aud electricity hinder the attrac
ton IN different regions but tho attraction ts never
tutons Incompatible With 1t can permanently en-.
dure here. 10 cultivate throughout the Continent
sentiments aud sylupathies GOngenia with The be-
nencent institutions and humane sspirat0ns Of the
United states has constantly been my effort while
abroad; and It will he Eiy effort, now that have
respect Tor the distant states. Territories and ma.
tlols whose visitor nave been.