The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-10-11
Lincoln and Seymour.

Howard Carroll's Times biography Of
Horatio Seymour brings out the follow
ing letters between Mr.. Lincoln and the
great war Governor, which have not be-
fore been published, and which the ac-
companying statement of hfr. Carroll
makes as interesting as they are valuable.
Mr.. Carroll says:
IF any further proof be needed of the
fact that President Lincoln and Governor
Seymour were thoroughly in accord, SO
far as their official relations were con-
cerned, and that they were united in their
efforts to put down the rebellion-a fact
which has more than once been dis
puted-it will be found in the following
quantity wartled and characteristic letter
from the Republican President and the
reply to that letter which was sent by the
Democratic Governor. Both commune
cations were written in the strictest con-
fidence, and they are now for the first
time given TO the public.
tPrivate snd Confdential,l
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON. March %, 1868.
His Ercellency Gouey7sor Seymoar: You
write this chiefly that we may become
better acquainted. I, for the time be-
ing, am at the head of nation which is
in great peril, and you are at the head
of the greatest State in that nation.
As to maintaining the nations life
and integrity, ! assume and be-
lieve there cannot be difference of pur-
pose between you and me. If we should
differ as to the means, it is important
that such difference should be as small
as possible, that it should not be en-
hanced by unjust suspicious on one side
or the other. In the performance of my
duty the cooperation OF your State, as
that of others is needed-in fact, is in
dispensable. This alone is sufficient
reason why should wish to be at good
understanding with you. Please write
me at least as long n letter as this-of
course, saying in it just what you think
mt. Yours, very truly,
A. LINCOLN.
To this communication Horatio Sey-
mour made the following reply:
STATE OF New York,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ALBANY, April ii. 1863.
DEAR SIR: have delayed answering
your letter for some days with d view of
preparing paper in which l wish to
state clearly the aspect of public affairs
from the standpoint occupy do not
claim any superior wisdom, but I am
confident the opinions / hold are enter
tanned by one-half Of the population of
the Northern States. 1 have been pre-
vented from giving my views in the man
ner i intended by pressure of official
duties, which at the present stage of the
Legislative session of this State confine
me to the Executive Chamber until each
midnight; after the adjournment, which
will soon take place, | will give you,
without reserve, my opinion and pur-
poses with regard to The condition of our
unhappy country.
In the meantime, | assure you that no
political resentments, no personal pur-
poses, will turn me aside from the path
way ] have marked ont for myself I
intend to show those charged with the
administration of public affairs a
due Difference and respect, and
to give to them just and gem
erous support in all measures they may
adopt within the scope of their constitu-
tional powers. For the preservation of
this Union / am ready to make any sacri-
fee of interest, passion or prejudice.
Truly yours, HoRATIo SEYMOUR.
To His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln.
It will be noticed that this letter con-
templates further and longer commu-
nication from the Governor to the Presi-
dent. The events attending the invasion
of Pennsylvania by Lee rendered such a
writing unnecessary. The Governor
testified by his acts his anxiety to aid the
General Government. After those acts
and / use his own words--he could not
well write without seeming to boast of
what had been done" In connection
with the correspondence, however, it is
worthy of particular note that Governor
Seymour, in addition to the Hon. Simon
Cameron and one other distinguished
man with whom have conversed on the
subject, is firmly convinced that there
was at one time what can only be called
conspiracy, set on foot and engaged in
by number of Republican leaders, to
force President Lincoln out of the White
House,
To show that Abraham Lincoln was
disposed to be of the same mind as Ho-
ratio Seymour was during the war, is to
establish the ex-President's title to states
manship and patriotism, in history, and
to vindicate him from the charge of being
no better or worse than his party.-Al-
bd1y Ar1Hs