Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-09-11
Speech Of Geyerner Seymour.

speech Of GeveFRer Seymour.
The Democratc State Convention Of New
York met at Albany on Wednesday. Tho
Tammany and Mozart delegates were admitted.
half from each organization, while the McKeon
representatives were refused seats. Judge
Amssa J. Parker was chosen president with
the usual complement OF vice-presidents and
secretaries, and the business committees were
appointed. In the evening Governor Seymour
addressed the convention, explaining his course
respecting the draft, and defining his position
on national questions. We make the following
extract from his speech:
am not without hope as to the future The
war has taught all men the high duty Of main
tanning the Constitution, for that and that only,
will result In establishing the Union upon
firmer basis, and the rights Of the States upon
a settled foundation. know that the acts Of
the last Congress, originating in error and bane-
full in their influences as many Of them have
teen, alarmed the land. They sought the GEN.
tralization Of power. But have never doubted
the result, for those very measures are to over
throw their theories Of government 1t will be
found that the measure adapted to enlarge and
centralize the power OF the General Govern
ment cannot, in the end. restrain the rights OF
the States. The States are the natural sources
Of the powers of the General Government, and,
although put down, they will rise again. Our
fathers saw that if the Government attempted
the exercise of powers other and greater than
those secured to it under the Constitution, 1t
would impeTil and destroy itself.
Gov. Seymour proceeded, continuing his adj
dress for nearly an hour, strongly urging
conciliatory policy with the view Of bringing
hack the seeded States and restoria the Union.
On this topic he remarked:
Is there not more hope for an early and last
ing peace, and long career OF happiness for
the country, In a conciliatory line OF policy !
How can any man object to q policy that will
unite the people North and South, and a call
out from every section an ardent love for the
Union and the constitution love which l
firmly believe only slumbers in the revolted
States, and is not dead Shall the party in
power say, Our brothers have not crouched
down to us. They are not yet subjugated. We
have not yet satisfied our malice and hate ~
Is that as generous, as magnanimous, Us say
ing Return to the Union. Your rights shall
be preserved sacred and inviolate." Men m ust
choose between these two lines Of policy. We
may have differed in the past. But now our
armies have triumphed-our soldiers have
proved their bravery and their patriotism
They have sacrificed for the cause all that men
hold dear. And now will we, who have had
no share in the hardships and perils OF the
field, sacrifice our pride and passion, thus
showing to the world a Just and fraternal re-
gard for our countrymen?
1 am not disposed to criticse the Presidents
recent letter unkindly, or to embarrass the
administration. am willing to leave the
emancipation proclamation just where he has
it valid, and to fall if invalid; and it must
fall, because it is invalid. / agree with him
when he proposes to leave it where he knows
it must die without regret. He does not in
that letter contemplate an early termination
Of the war, nor does he propose any time
when it will cease. We, however, are ready
to mark out a policy, and that conciliatory
policy, that the States shall return with all
their rights marked down in the Constitu-
ton. / believe that the great conservative
party of the country will say to them, Re.
turn to your allegiance and we will maintain
your rights" Whatever may be the course of
the administration, it becomes the conserva.
tivts to say TO the South, "Let the war cease
come back to your allegiance, and we will
protect your rights"
Ihave never for a moment believed that the
invasion ct the rights Of the States by the Gov
eminent could be Of a permanent character.
The principles Of the Cancellation and wisdom
which guided our fathers, will oatlive the
folly of their successors. Consultation is mag
| unanimous. Generosity in its nature is larger
mend us to the world. [Applause.l To the
dissolution Of the Union will never consent.
lCheers.l would put forth every power, /
would exhaust every measure Of Cancellation.
l would appeal to the interests, the hopes and
fears of the citizens fthe South, and urgeevery
bring back the revolted States; but as TO dis
union, will never consent to that. EApplause. !
Let us put forth every power TO restore the
| Union, invoking every consideration Of patrio-
| tism, doing all that is due to our country and
| to ourselves, invoking the return Of every
State, holding sacred every star upon those
| which decorated the hail. and marking him
who unnid strita from its blue field as
rnnoh a traitor as he W ho would renu 10 folds
asunder."
It is said that the sentiments Of Gov Sew.
mour In opposition to disunion, fell like a wet.
blanket on the copperhead element in the con
vention, but were vigorously applauded by the
war democrats.