The Worthington advance., 1888-03-01
LINCOLN AND SEWARD

LINCOLN AND SEWARD
Tho Formers Reply to a sugges.
ton 20 Abandon Fort sumpter
oomewlnat Sensational historical
cosroopondence.
Washing ton Special: The Lincoln
chapter in the admirable series OF
Colonies Hay and Nicolay, which ap.
pears in the Century, contains aletter
nom Mr.. Seward to Mr.. Lincoln and q
reply OF the latter, which together
make sensational historical matter.
On the day when Gen. Meigs aud Ad.
miral Porter were busy with prepara-
tions and orders for the relief of Fort
Pickens. Secretary Seward addressed
the following to Mr.. Lincoln:
"soME THOUGHTS FOR THE PRESIDENTS
CONSIDERATION, APRIL l, 1861
First-We are at the end of a
months administration. and yet
without a policy. either domestic or
foreign.
second-This, however, is not cul-
pable, and it has even been unavoid-
able. The presence of the senate,
with the need to meet applica tons
for patronage. have prevented atten.
tion to other and more grave mat
ters.
Third-But further delay to adopt
and prosecute our policies for both
domestic and foreign affairs would
not only bring scandal on the admin
istration. but danger upon the coun.
try.
Fourth-To do this we must dis
miss the applicants for Office. But
how? / suggest that we make the
local appointments forthwith. leaving
foreign Or general ones for ultorior
and occasional action.
Fifth-The policy at home-1 am
aware that my views are singular,
and, perhaps, not sufficiently explain
ed. NV system is built upon this idea
as ruling one, namely, that We must
change the question before the public
from one upon slavery, or about
slavery, for a question upon
Union or disunion. In other
words, from what would be re-
:arded as q party question, to one OF
patriotism or Union. The occupation
or evacuation of Fort Sumter, al
though not in fact a slavery or party
question, is so regarded. Witness
the temper manifested by the republi-
cans in the free states, and even by
the Union men in the South. would,
therefore, terminate it as safe means
for changing the issue. I deem it for
tunate that the last administration
created the necessity. For the rest, I
would simultaneously defend and re-
inforce all the forts in the gulf, and
have the navy recalled from foreign
stations to be prepared for block
ade. Put the island of Key West un-
der martial law. This will raise dis.
tinctly the question of union or dis.
union. l would maintain every fort
and possession in the South.
For foreign nations-I would de-
mand explanations from Spain and
France categorically at once. I would
seek explanations from Great Britain
and Russia, and send agents to Cana
da, Mexico, and Central America, to
rouse a vigorous continental spirit of
independence on this continent against
European Intervention. And ii satis-
factory explanations are not received
from Spain and France would convene
congress and declare war against them.
But whatever policy we adopt there
must be an energetic prosecution of it..
For this purpose it must be some
body's business to pursue and direct
it necessarily. Either the president
must do it himself and be all the while
active III it or devolye it Oh some
member OF his cabinet. Once adopt
ed, debates on it must end and all
agree and abide. 1t is not in my es-
pecial province, but neither seek to
evade nor to assume responsibility.
The same day Mr.. lincoln replied
as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION. April 1, 1851.
Hon. w. H. Seward: My Dear Sir
Since parting with you have been con-
sidering your paper, dated this day and
entitled"Some Thoughts for the Presi-
dents Consideration" The first prop.
osition in it is: "First. we are at
the end of months administration,
and yet without a policy, either do
mestic or foreign" At the beginning OF
that month, in the inaugural, l said:
"The power confded to me will be
used to hold. occupy and possess the
property and places belonging to the
government, and to collect the duties
and lmposts."
This had our distinct approval at
the time; and, taken in connection
with the order Immediately gave Gen.
Scott, directing him to employ every
means in his power to strengthen and
hold the forts, comprises the exact do.
mestic policy you now urge, with the
single exception that it does not pro.
pose to abandon Fort Sumter.
Again do not perceive how the re.
Enforcement OF Fort Sumter would be
done on a party or slavery issue,
while that of Fort Pickens would be
on more national and patriotic one.
The news received yesterday in regard
to St. Domingo certainly brings a new
item within the range OF our foreign
policy; but up to that time we have
been preparing circulars and instruc'
tiOns to ministers and the like, all in
perfect harmony, without even a sug
gestion that we had no foreign policy
Upon your closing proposition, that
whatever policy we adopt, there
must be an energetic prosecution O.
it. For this purpose it must besome
body's business to pursue and direct
it necessarily. Either the president
must do it himself, and be all tht
while active in it. or devolve it OF
some member of his cabinet. Onc'
adopted. debates on it must end. anc
all agree and abide l remark that
if this must be done I must do it.
When a general line OF policy is adopt
ed | apprehend there is no danger o
it's being charged without good reason
or continuing to be a subject of un
necessary debate; still, upon points
arising in it's progress I wish, and sup
pose am entitled to have, the advic,
of all the cabinet. Your obedien1
servant, y. LINCOLN.
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