Year: 1866

Sra: Excuse me for expressing surprise
that you ask, me whether | approve of the
call of proposed Union National Conven-
tion at Philadelphia. After more than five
years Of disturbance by civil war; regard
a restoration of the unity of the country its
most immediate as well as its most vital in
teresk That restoration will be complete
when loyal men are admitted as representa-
tives Of the eleven States so long unrepre
sented in Congress


Nothing but this can complete it, nothing
more remains to be done, and nothing more
is necessary. Every days delay is attended
by multiplying and increasing incOnvenien-
ces, embarrassments and dangers at home
and abroad Congress possesses the power
exclusively. After a session of seventeen
months, Congress still omits to exercise the
power What can be done to induce Con-
-gress to act2 This is the question of the
day. Whatever is done must be done in ac-
cordance with the Constitution and Laws
1t is i'll perfect accordance with the Consti-
tuition and Laws that the people of the Uni
ted States shall assemble by delegates in
convention, and that when so assembled,
they shall address Congress by respectful pc
titiOn and remonstrance, and that the people
in their several States, Districts and Terri
tories shall approve, sanction, and unite in
such respectful representations to Congress.
No one party could do this effectuallY, or
even seem willing to do it alone No loyal
or popular organization could do it effectu-
ally 1t is the interest of all parties alike,
of all the States and all sections, a National
interest the interest of the whole people.


The convention may not succeed in induc-
ing Congress to act, but if they fail the at
tempt can make matters no worse. 1t will
be a patriotic and lawful attempt made in
the right direction an effort to be remem-
bered with pride and satisfaction whether it
succeeds or fails. The original union of the
States was brought about by movements of
the same character The citizen who objects
to the convention is bound to propose bet
ter plan of proceeding to effect the desired
end No other plan is offered or even
thought of Those who should oppose it
seem to me to manifest at least unconoern
if not opposition to all reconstruction, reor-
ganization and reconciliation between the
alienated masses of the American people
To admit that the convention viii fail would
be to admit that the people of the United
States are deficient in either wisdom or the
virtue necessary to continue the existence of
the Republic. l believe no such thing. A
great political writer says that the Govern
ment is a secure religion, and that the peo
pie Of every country are divided into two
classes, each maintaining distinct political
faith. The one class always fearing the very
worst that can possibly happen, and the 9TH
er hopes under every circumstance the very
best that can in any country happen With
out accepting this theory as absolutely true,


think that all men do generally act from
motive to guard against public danger, or
else from a positive desire to do good. Both
classes may therefore favor the attempt to
restore the unity Of the country.


I am, sir, your obedient servant


Wsf. II. SEWARD


To the Hon. j R. DooLITTIE. Chimn Ex. Committee