Mr. Seward Declines the Next Presidency – An Admirable Letter

From the Philadelphia Inquirer, February 25.

A letter written by Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, on the 16^th of December last, a copy of which is appended to these remarks deserves the widest circulation, on account of the lofty patriotism which pervades its every line.  It appears that an association had been formed in this city bearing his name, the avowed object of which was to urge Mr. Seward’s nomination for the next presidency, and he was informed by letter of the fact, but it will be seen that in the firmest tone, yet with admirable dignity, he announces his purpose to decline all such honors.  He cheerfully gives up his aspirations for rule in the whole Republic as a contribution to the efforts necessary to maintain it in its integrity, and peremptorily requires his friends henceforth and forever to drop his name from the list of possible candidates.  Such gentlemen, therefore, as have been taking time by the fore-look, by procuring letters and making interest, under the impression that Mr. Seward would be at the head of the next Administration will have to turn their far-sighted glances into the future in some other direction.  The following is the letter, now first published:

WASHINGTON, December 16. 1861.

DEAR SIR:  I have received the letter which was addressed to me on the 8^th inst. by you, an officer of a political association recently organized in Philadelphia.

You will excuse me, my dear sir, for what may seem unkind or ungrateful in this reply to that communication, which has given me some uneasiness, and which only fails to inflict severe pain upon me, because I do not regard the movement which it describes as one of very considerable magnitude.

The club, as you inform me, have adopted a resolution to exert themselves to secure my advancement to the Presidency of the United States, and this resolution is generously based upon a high appreciation of such public services as I have hitherto attempted to perform.

I avail myself of the good will of the club thus flatteringly manifested, to say that I consider the proceeding as one altogether unwise, and tending to produce only public evil in a crisis when every possible path of danger ought to be carefully avoided.  It is a partisan movement, and, worst of all, a partisan movement of a personal character.

If, when the present civil war was looming up before us, I had cherished an ambition to attain the high position you have indicated, I should have adopted one of two courses which lay open to me – namely, either to withdraw from the public service at home to a position of honor without great responsibility abroad, or to retire to private life, avoiding the caprices of fortune, await the chances of public favor.

But I deliberately took another course.  I renounced all ambition, and came into the Executive Government to aid in saving the Constitution and the integrity of my country, or to perish with them.  It seemed to me, then, that I must necessarily renounce all expectation of future personal advantage, in order that the counsels I should give the President in such a crisis should not only be, but be recognized as being, disinterested, loyal and patriotic.

Acting on this principle, I shun no danger and shrink from no responsibility.  So I neither look for, nor, if it should be offered to me, would I ever hereafter accept any reward.

The country is to be saved or lost by the highest efforts of public and private virtue before another Presidential election shall occur.  If it shall be saved, as I believe it will, I do not fear that my zeal in that great achievement will be overlooked by the grateful generations to come after us. – If, on the other hand it shall be lost, he who shall study the causes of the great ruin shall not find among them any want of self-sacrifice on my part.  I could never consent, if unanimously called upon, to be a President of a division of the Republic. – I cheerfully give up my aspirations for rule in the whole Republic, as a contribution to the efforts necessary to maintain it in its integrity.  I hardly need add that it results from these circumstances, that I not only ask, but peremptorily require, my friends, in whose behalf you have written to me, to drop my name henceforth and forever from among those to whom they look as possible candidates for national distinctions and preferments.

Very truly yours,

WM. H. SEWARD.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 2