Year: 1866

ESIR-EExcuse ME for expressing sur
prise that you ask me whether / APP
prove Of the call for proposed Union
National Convention at Philadelphia.
After more than five years disturb
ance by civil war, l. regard "a restora-
..tNS ton of the unity OF the country its
most immediate as well as its most
vital interest That restoration viii
be complete when loyal men are adj
mitted as, representatives of the loyal
people Of the eleven States so long
unrepresented in Congress. Nothing
s., but this can complete it. Nothing
more remains to be done, and nothing
Na7 more ris necessary. Every days de-
lay is attended by multiplying and in
creasing Inconvenience, embarras-
ments and, dangers at home and
abroad. Congress possesses the power
exclusive After session of seven
A monthsE Congress still emits TO exer-
@ else that power What can be done
to induce Congress to act? This is
the question of the day. q g
Whatever is done must be done In
accordance with the Constitution and
laYss that the people Of the United
States shall assemble by delegates in
Convention, that when so assembled
they shall address Congress by re-
spectful petition and demonstrate, and
that the people inrtheir several States,
1distriets, ahdterritofies, shall approve.
sanction, and unite in such respectful
representations to Congress. No one
party could do this effectually or even
seems willing to do it alone. Nolle-
gal or popular organization could do
it tefeetually Il Il sgthe interest Of all
persons alike, of all parties, and of all
sections, States-a national interest,
The interest of the whole people. The
Convention may not succeed to induce
Congress to act, but if they fail, the
attempt will make matters no worse
1t will be a lawful and patriotic at
tempt made in the right direction an
effort to be remembered with, pride
and satisfaction, whether it succeeds
or fails. The original Union of the
States was brought about by move
ments of the same character The
citizen who objects to the Convention
is bound to propose a better plan of
proceeding to effect the desired end.
80 No Other plan is Offered or even
thought of Those who should OPP
pose it would seem to me to manifest,
at least, unconcern, if not opposition,
to all reconstruction, re- Organization.
and reconciliation, between the alien
ated masses Of the American people
To admit that the Convention woulc
fail, would be to admit that the people
of the United States are deficient il
either the wisdom or the virtue ne
cessary to the continued existence Of
the Republic. / believe no such
thing "A great, political writer says
Government is a secure religion
and that the people of every country
are divided into classes, each main
tanning distinct political faith th,
one class always fearing the very wors
that can happen, and the other hope
under every circumstance for the yer,
best that can in any event happen
Without accepting this theory as alb
solutely true, think that all men d,
generally act from motive to guar,
against public danger, or else from
positive desire to do good. ~ Bot
classes may, therefore, favor the pro
posed attempt to restore the unity O
the nation.


lam, sir, n


Your obedient servant,


Slgned VIM. FL. SEWARD.


To Hon. j. r. DooLITTLE,


Chairman Executive Com, etc.