, 1863-08-19
POLITICAL SUICIDE,

Gov. Seymour, in his hunt for pretexts
which should serve as an apology for op-
position to the Government, has been un-
fortunate, and to-day he stands before the
country stripped Of whatever statesman
like qualities his friends have claimed for
him, as demagogue OF the lowest politi-
cal description, if possible, gro7elling in
lower depths than Fernando Wood him
self, with whom he is engaged in relent-
less political war. With the miserable
Tammany factions and their feuds we have
nothing to do, however. Seymour is b.
fore the bar Of the nation convicted Of
blacker crime against the Re-
public.
The pretexts which he has employed
have carried him slowly but surely to the
same results to which JEFF Davis was thirty
years atta1ning-the doctrine Of State
rights; and in enunciating that doctrine,
he stands upon the same dangerous ground
with the rebellious States. South Carolina
did nothing worse when in Convention she
denied the right of the National Govern
mcnt to coerce sovereign State, and left
the Union. The armed resistance to the
Conscription, which Seymour and lis dis
union crew threaten, does not differ in
any essential particular from the firing
upon Sumter. Both mean resistance to
the Government and its laws, and both
will be put down by the same strong hand.
Webster, whom the Copperheads just now
are fond Of quoting on the Slavery ques-
ton, in his speech against the notification
movement, laid down the rule clearly and
explicitly; and TINT rule applies to-day as
forcibly as when lie uttered It, Tie great
Expounder Of the Constitution said:
"That an attempt by State to abrogate,
"annul or nullify an act OF Congress, or
"to arrest its operation within her limits
"on the ground that in her opinion such
'law is unconstitutional, is direct usur-
"pation on the jus. powers Of the general
Government and on the equal rights of
@other States; {. plain yiolation Of the
Constitution, and q proceeding essentially
Revolutionary in its character and ten
"dency."
The rule is the condemnation Of tue re-.
bellion and Of Seymour at one and the
same time. In attempting to array the
military force Of New York against the
Conscription, he has brought himself
clearly within the provisions of the rule
md the penalties attaching thereto.
Whatever Of statesmanlike sagacity he
possessed has been merged in the dema-
gogue, and, sWifter than Satau was hurled
from Heaven, he has gone down to the
level Of Vallandighan, the Woods, and
Mr. Andrews Of Virginia. The eyes Of
the people are now open to his real char
acter. The great loyal masses of New
York will rally with renewed earncstness
to the defence Of the Government. He
has lost caste even with his friends. The
monied men, by his acts, have suffered in
pocket during the past, and will strenuous
ly oppose such acts in future. In his at
tempt to carry with him the dregs of New
York City, Wood has outbidden him. He
has committed apoitical suicide. Without
strength among his own followers, he is
spurred by all loyal men Few men had
more magnificent opportunities Of writing
themselves down in history as national
benetactors, few men have more Wllfully
rejected those opportunities. He goes
down to posterity linked with the fool who
fired the temple Of Ephesus.