New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-14
UNpUBLiJHED LETTERS OF SECRETARY
SEWARD.
MS POSITION ON THE QUESTIONS OF FREEDOM
Ann Union,

MS POSITION ON THE QUESTIONS OF FREEDOM
AND UNION,
DIR. Joseph z. Thompson writes an uiu0r 0,
Tor The independent Berlin Prussia under u"Vo "
Oct ia 1872 in which he presents TO the Pup'io wv
lsttors of the late Hon. william H. Seward which nave
800 hotore been published. Appended Is the SUD
stance Of the article with the letters Of Mr., Seward ID
full: Il.
Tbo doatb Of Mr. Seward has absOved me from the IN
avinr guarded Il with sacred privacy FOR years. teel
that belongs to history u was IN ne had
avowed itself Senate OF the United States ana Wa
S1G Fort shwter was Threatened Gen scott was
making such show Of preparation for putting uoTn
ment and the hinderaucos OF the Executive had eit
20 him. aud the nation was drifting o unto Tfl
financial men gave new strength to me o1 ste
OF compromise and there was az The slave
ocracy nom which Seward, SUMNER Haze, anI r uer
compatrots had barely emancipaed It, The " U mon
savers were ready yield 70 any demand OF me SCUM
as the eoniinSn OF P SSS6 would make speech The
irrepressibe conflict "a winch oa we u itS final
Sonspe"qqs was p Known to have accepted from
M Lincoln the post Of Secretary OF etate'
less interest as foreshadowng the policy OF the ncom
ing Administration. Mr. Seward spoke but the grand
echoes Senate Chamber were no longer heard lie
too argued ior Union ana opy Id o Te az frat feel
ing the friends of freedom was one OF surprise and
dieappointment and this was almost insantaneousy
followed by distrist and indignation. MT Seward was
denounced as an apostate the most abusive epthets
were heaped upon him, aud the most anxious foreood
ings were INDUCED concerning his influence upon MI
IdncOlns administration
OF course The Independent must notice his equvocai
uttcTanceS hut what 10 say Suddenly II dawDed upon
TO read the speech between the lines ana there
might be discovered farreachng saghel' lnat soNeS
Mr. Seward to be consistent with himself and master OF
the occasion. Being supported IN tis view py eoun
solor the penetration OF whose WISDOM 4iWaSs , an
sweTed to the integrity of his Princircs lpt JOshns
IaayitO wrote Interpretation OF Mi. seward's
speech aud VI dication of IT'S author qute AZ
With the current construction Of Republican ana anu
Slavery journals This article was the oasis OF Tue iV
lowing correspondence;
Dr. Thompson gives his letter to Mr. Seward inoosing
the article mentioned, which he received the follow
ing reply; .,. ~, 90 ,o,,
My DEAR SIR. The American people in our day have
two great interests one, the ascendeney OF freedom
over Slavery the other the integrity OF the Union! The
Slavery interest has derived its whole political power
from OrnGlng lne latver oaleet M @ ~ and
the Union not spake then so slngy ior freedom
that shorts shted men inferred that was disoyal to
the Union. endured the reproaeh without complain
ing, and now have my vindieation Today praeti,
the loss Of union all would be lost. Win the
aoS9V brought on there would be danger of reac
lion against the Administration charged with the
tbeTefofe sneak singy for union striving il possible
save IL peace8Dy not possible theh 10 cast tnt
singleness Of speech am now suspected Of nhdeiy Il
freedom In this as In the other refer myself not
10 the men my tme but TO the judgment OF history
thank YOu dear Sir, for having anticipated what
But do not publish or show THE letter Leave be
rnisunderstood / am not impatient. 1 write TO you
only because would not be nor seem to be ungratefu
Faithfully your friend. WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
Dr. Joseph r. Thompson.
few months later absurd rumor was started that
Mr. Seward responsible for certain delays and dis
appointments in the prosecution OF the and he Was
accused OF dslOyay. In the absence OF the re
spOnsble editors, paragraph 10 this erect, borrowed
from the Office OF another journal crept into The Jnde
gendeH In their the editors promptly repu
dated and this correction called forth from MI sew
WASHINGTON 18th Nov. 1861.
MY DEAR SIR: Accustomed TO leave misapprehen-
eiOns OF INV motives action and character nd their
corrections In the of events fOrebOre from all
notice of the statement the late number OF The Ide
pendent which calculated 10 bring loyalty 10 the
RstOnishment But the rule Of sraint 70 which
have adyerted does not forbid Inc from ACKNOWLEDGING
good Offices rendered 70 me from motives or PATRIOTISM
the love OF truth. give yOu therefore, my sincere
having hocn uasdo
In the absence Of any complaint my part It comes to
me agreeable surprise.
Permit me TO add that IL is OF much pleasure
thus learn that the editors and prOpreOrs OF The IN
dependent who have long de3ervedY enjoyed my
respect and confidence patriotic and benevolent men,
easily misled in the mpatence OF the war as
70 suppose that could abandon change the primer
pies and sentiments OF my past life IN the moment
when my country, under OF danger, has called
ne into her service, with view that shall carry them
into full effect
friend and Obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
first OF these letters written by Mr.. Sewards
hand and the italics his The short, crisp SEN
fences show with what earnestness OF feeling he was
then moved The second letter dictated 10 an
Rmanuensis and signed by Mr. Seward, aud Is more ~
vein Of formal pOeness Yet 10th exhibit that dig
Of conscious reotitude and that patience OF self
control which among the most remarkable cDarSc
teTistics OF this most remarkable man.