Year: 1866

r ASHtNGlON, July III ISOV'


aExcuse me for expressing surprise
Chat You ask me whether approve OF
the call of proposed Union National
Conventipn at Philadelphia. After more
than five years Of disturbance by civil
war, regard restoration of the unity
of the country, as its most immediate
As well as most vital interest; that
restoration will be complete when loyal
men are admitted as representatives oi
the loyal people of the eleven States, so
long unepresented in Congress. Moth
ing but this can complete it. Nothing
more remains to be done, and nothing
more is necessary Every days delay is
attended by multiplieating and idcreas,
ing inconveniences, etnbarrasments, and
danger at home and abroad. Congress
possesses the power exclusive. After q
session of some months, Congress still
omits toexercise that power. What can
be done to induce Congress to act? This
is the question of the day.! Whatever
is done must be done in accordance with
the Constitution and the laws 1t is in
perfect accordance with the Constitu-
ton and the laws that the people of the
United States shall assemble by dele.
gates in Convention and, that when SO
assembled they shall address Congress 10y
a respectful petition and remonstrahce,
and that the people in their several
States, Districts and Territories shall ap-
prove, sanction, and unite in such. re
spectful representation to Congress. No
one party could do this effectuaRX, or
even seems willing to do it alOhes- No
local or popular organization could do
it efectually. tits to the interest of all
parties alike, of all States and all sec,
tions, as well as to the interest of the
whole people The Convention, in
deed, may not succeed in in
ducing Congress to act; bat if
they fail the attempts can make matters
no worse 1t will he 9 lawful and patri.
otto attempt made in the right direction,
an effort TO be remembered with pride
aud satisfaction whether it succeed or
fail. The original union of the States
was brought about by movements OF the
same character The citizen who OBJ.
jects to the Convention is bound to pro.
pose better plan of proceeding to effect
the desired end NOother plants offered
or even thought Of Those who should
oppose it would seem to me to manifest
at best uncencern if not opposition to
all reconstruction, reorganization and
reconciliation aud return the alienated
masses of the American people. To ad-
init that the Convention will fail would
be to admit that the people of the Uni
ted States are deficient in their wisdom
or the virtue necessary to continue the
existence of the Republic. believe no
such thing. A great political writer
SAYS that Government is secular relig
ion, and that the people of every coun-
try are divided into two classes, each
maintaining u distinct political faith;
the one class always fearing the very
worot tbat oau possibly haPPon, aud tho
other hopes nnder every circumstance
the very best that can in any event hap.
pen. Without accepting this theory as
absolutely tide, think that all men do
generally act from motive to guard
against public danger, or else from q
positive desire to do good. Both classes
may, therefore, favor the present attempt
to restore the unity of the Nation. g ..


am, sir, your obedient servant,


(Signed1 VIM. H. SEWARD.


To Hon. j. r. Doolittle, ChOirman Ex-
ecutive Committee.