Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-08-04
SEWARD AND NAPOLEON
How tho Great New York States
man CIrcumvented the Designs
of Europe ON America.

Under this heading Washington cor
respondent of the Buffalo Commercial furn-
ishes some unwritten history of the threat
ened complications of the late war, that is
not only interesting news to the mass OF the
American people, but assists materially in
unravei,ng and forming more correct ideas
regarding the objects and aims of Napoleon
in sending Maximilinn into Mexico at n
time when the U. S. government apparent
iy had all or more than she could handle
10 suppress the rebellion. The correspon-
dent says:
A prominent republican senator was
speaking of Seward the other evening and
his eminent fitness for the part he played
during the late war. In 1868, while on his
trip round the world, said the senator, Mr..
| Seward stopped for week al San Francis
CO. The night previous to his departure it
was my large privilege to be one of the in
vited guests at a dinner party given in his
honor. 1t was n felcitous occasion. To
my mind the champagne corks had never
popped so merrily; remIniscenes Of army
life were resurrected, bon mots freely ex-
changed and an mir of genuine enthusiasm
Seward spoke "Ill tell you" said he, "a
chapter Of nnwritten history that will show
you how narrowly on one occasion we avoid
ed complications with England and France.
1t was at the most critical period OF the
civil war. Our troops beaten and driven
back at every point; the army OF the Poto-
mac rent with jealousies and disatfeclion I;
traitors in the rear furnishing encourage
ment and assistance to their friends in the
field. A feeling OF gloom seemed to have
settled over the whole land. We al Wash
ington were sending out messages of good
cheer TO the country, but it was with a
heavy heart and an affcctalion of conf
dence we were far from feeling. One day
received an autograph letter from Louis
Napoleon. He began by stating his person
al regard Tor me and his kind remembrance
of America. But, he went on TO say, hls
mills and factories were standing idle
His peasaniry, the most thrifty in the
world, were suffering for want of employ.
menl owing TO the blockade of the South
ern ports. He concludes by saying II the
war does not cease nj least practically
within ninety days, he should feel it Iii,
duty to interfere and recognize the bellig
erency OF the South. This act, lie contin
ued, would he followed by similar move
ON the part Of England. ana possibly Ger.
: many. j answered the letter at once.
= spent no time in ffaltering the Emperor ol
France, or in finding excuses for the North
Plungng boldly into the subject ! told him
> that this was family quarrel that tn,
= good sense Of the south WAS against seces
g sion, but that it had been oveIrued by un
scrupulous leaders, backed by The ho
blood Of their young men and the perni
cious influence of the doctrine OF state
i rights. 'We, of the north, are somewha
divided as to the methods which should b.
employed in settling this bloody question
8 but once u foreign power interieres and ",
n become IN one man, with one common in
!, teresi, in n moment The history of tn
last century has emblazened on its page
II in letters Of living fire, the valor and pa
= tri0tism OF American freemen. Bewar
4 how you rouse iIs to action, else IL be wors
for both England and France than you wo
OIL Thus far we conducted the struggle il
s the most humane and considerate manner
Q recognizing our enemies as gallant sons O
"a OF one great family hut lei n foreign pow
er Interfere and we will turn loose the dog
OF war with q fierceness that will not onlt
= depopulate but devastaie every portion o
the South from the Ohio TO the Gull
There was more in the same strain,
& added MIR. Seward, "but what j have re
,e peated embodies the main points. Tn
next day telegraphed for Henry War,
y Beecher, Archbishop Hughes and Thu
low Weed. The conference resulted In send
ic ing them all to Europe. Mr.. Beecher went I
e. Protestant England; the grand old preal
a TO Catholic France, aud Mr. Weed TO Ger
IN many. Speaking daily iocrowded house
a. they placed our situation before The peopl
y Of those countries in 30 clear aud lavornbl
a light that never again did the ghost 4
ie foreign intervention arise 10 fright on
n souls. +" Mr.. Seward sailed for Mex leo Ia
x following morning, and have never see
DC him since, said the senator, but the rs
d membrance of his impassioned speech wi
~ remain iresb IN my memory should liv
100 yeaIa.