The New York herald., 1871-10-13
MIR. SEWARD AT HOME.
His Reception by the People Of Auburn-Mr.
Stewards Speech to His Fellow Towns
men and Neighbors.

AUBURN, N. Y, Oct. ~, 1871.
Secretary Seward was met at Syracuse by large
number OF personal friends who escorted him to
Auburn, where the depot was crowded with cltlzens
anxious to see and welcome their distinguished
townsman Reaching his residence he was received
BY Mr. Michael S. Myers. who made brief speech
Of welcome, TO which Mr.. Seward responded a.
follows:-
Mr.. MYERS AND NY FRIENDs-The words which
you have spoken To me and the pressure OF the
hand which you have given me are what knew
might expect, anu vet what | would have willingly
avoided. have taxed my neighbors and friends SO
often and 80 long that have begun to feel that
70 steal away from them ana TO soften the
sadness Of parting as the nearest domestic
back Ike T to 70 In upon them by surprise, and meet
them In their actions, walks and ways, rather than
70 trouble them to come 70 me. Stll II - what mas
years whenever ! have had occasion 10 so out OF
Auburn, sometimes nearer, sometimes further.
study, sometimes OF labor. sometimes OF pubic I'm
possibilities and sometimes Of private INTEREST,"
without demonstration OF their arection. 1t has
often been my lot to come back among yon-
have excited or might have excited envy;
sometimes defeated and with mortlhcat0n:
i9hy be spoken OIL and somet@es With pabc
anxiety, which cannot be expressed, and YET
never nave come home without being received as 2
the affection and all the gratitude that l can pay
them. can only ask you TO believe that In all my
wander1ngs FAR and near. there mas not been q day
or hour when / have not remembered them and
prayed God that what might not be able to do for
their welfare and happiness might be done by Him
through other agencies. My frieDds, we are met TO-
geher, trust, not TO part again. have had long
journey, which In It's Inception seemed to many &C.
centric; but | trust that all my neighbOrs and
friends are now satisned that II was reasonable.
! found on returning home TO the occupations
which were before me, that was expected to enjoy
rest from labOr5 and cares which were thought to
have been severe and expressing: found that at
my age and In my condition OF health rest was rust,
and moth. .ng remained to prevent rust but to keep
in motion. selected the way that would do the
least harm, give the least offence, enable me to &C.
qulre the most knowledge, and most increase the
power, II any remained, to do good. In the course
OF my wande1ngs have seen, not all the nations,
but some Of the nations OF every race on the earth.
have looked the whole human family In the face
taken by the hand and conversed With my fellow
man In his lowest degradation and in his highest
stage Of civilization. ] have found no nation SO
distant and race 30 low that the character of
American citizen did not secure 70 me not merely
safety, but also respect, consideration ana affection
my own country have less reason to love and
honor IT. Ny friends ana neghbors have tres
passed beyond your patience ani nv own strength
In speaking these words to you give you my sin-
cere and heartfelt thanks, ana hope tomorrow and
on early future DAYS TO learn that happiness has
been in all your dwellings, and that all the enter
pr1ses In which you are engaged have been crowned
with success, as know they will he, and at all your
iresdes during the long winter before us, same
affection and friendship which has been the great
happiness OF my life.