The Hon. W. H. Seward gave a public reception, according to announcement, at the United States Consulate on the 2nd January, at 2 p.m. A largo number of Americans, and many residents of other nationalities were present. After introducing Mr. Seward to the meeting, Mr. D. H. Bailey, United States Consul, made the following address Governor Seward—It is eleven years since you journeyed from the Hudson to the Missouri, through seven great States, a distance of two thousand miles, amid the popular plaudits of your own countrymen, everywhere the people testifying to your leadership on the side of the right in great questions then agitating our nation. I had the honor then, with others, to receive you in behalf of the freemen of Kansas, whose cause youse nobly and notably upheld in the Senate and elsewhere throughout the land. That was an ovation, from the beginning to the close of your journey, worthy of the people and worthy the Statesman to whom it was given. Since then great events have occurred in our own country, with which your name will ever be associated, as among the great leaders for the right in the terrible struggle. Your part in that. history is safe so long as its glorious records last. That was an era of grand deeds, and fortun nately yours are full of lustre. Now, on these shores of the oldest nation in' the world, very far from the Republic, on all sides an effete civilization, amid the teeming. millions of this cradle of the race, I again have the honor of receiving my distinguished countryman, who is resting after many years of brilliant service to the State, and of tendering him this public reception by the American residents, and others of all nationalities, who delight to honor one whose long career has been devoted to the best interests of mankind. We honor you, Mr. Seward, because you have ever stood for the people, and we know that to the end you will still stand for their cause. Let me express an earnest desire that at the close of this period of rest and travel, you may return to America with the best wishes of troops of friends, and give to her people the benefit of added knowledge to your already ripe experience in public affairs that what you see and learn in this circuit of the globe may be used to help and uplift all men. Thave the honor, gentlemen, to introduce to you the Honorable Win. H. Seward." On concluding his address, Mr. Bailey stated that he wished to remind the gentlemen present, that partly in consequence of injuries sustained from a carriage accident, and partly from a wound received on the sad, but memorable, occasion which resulted in the death of one of the Presidents of the United States, the Hon. Mr, Seward was unable to address a meeting standing. He wished to mention this, that the circumstance of his'sitting might not be misunderstood.
The Hon, Mr. Szwanp repliedasfollows:—Mr. Consul and Gentlement—The questions which engaged the American people at the time to which you have too kindly referred, were two, namely, first, the climination of slavery from the United States and, secondly, the saving of the Union of the States which constitute the American Republic. Both these questions have at last been decided for the right, after a fearful civil war, I think there is not now living aman on this round earth, who was among the Rebels or enemies of the State, who now regrets that adjustment. Our great statesman, Daniel Webster, foro-
might not dors on a diamembered- a ise saw only the. struggle, yin pzPreel is earnest wish that his dying eyes
united, a belligerent Republic. For us who have survived both him and the stry gle, there appears a brighter, a more glorious prospect. It is the sprend of the civilization of Western nations over the whole American Continent, connecting with it by absolute necessity the regeneration of the Pacific Coast. This is the great work which is to be accomplished under the auspices of the United States of America, happily with the approbation of all the nations of Europe. The first Emperor of the French invented the: s2dern Empire as an engine of War; the second dedicated it to peace. Happily for mankind, it failed for both purposes. On the other hand, we who have studied the course of events, know full well that the Republic, that is say, the modern Republic of our own day and our own experience, is everywhere and always "Peace on earth and_ goodwill towards men." Holding that this fact is clearly established, and in the conviction which we have also that this great problem directly concerns two of the great continents, and indirectly involves the interests of all mankind, Ihave attempted to study the ing out of this problem of ation. I have heretofore travelled over the American Pacific Coast to mark its working, and with this simple object am now observing Asiatic countries. I will not fatigue you with political speaking, which would be out of place, but I may say two or three things without disloyalty to my own country, or to the Empite under which I stand, or unfriendly to any other nation. I would say briefly this, that I do not undervalue missionary
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.