The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-29
Gov. Seymour and the Call for Troops

The Press is highly delighted because
the National InteAigencer recently amin
adverted strongly on the apparent delay
of Gov. SEYMOUR in responding to the al
legged call Of the President for troops to
defend the national capital. The Press
quotes from the InteNigencer:
In a matter involving the safety of the ma
tional capital. 1t seems impossible to conceive
that Gov. Seymour could have allowed any
political object TO stand in the way of a cheer
full performance of public duty; and yet it will
be Obvi us to all that the manner in which he
has responded to the Presidents extraordinary
call must subject him 10 the blame of practic-
ally defeating it.
1.-THE Mteligencer, remark the Press,
sis Conservative of Conservatives, +"
and its attack upon Gov. SEYMOUR shows
very significantly how general and deep
seated is suspicion that his heart is not
in theswar for the Union" Now the ar
ticle of the Iatelligencer, from which the
Press quotes was written while comma
nication between New York and Wash
ington was cut off, and therefore without o
full knowledge of the facts in the case.
But day or two after, the LnteHigencer
presents the facts to its readers, and elito-
rally comments as follows. We COM
mend the article to the perusal of the
radical press:
t. 81
summer of 1862, The military authorities in
this city were thrown into q panic by the ir-
ruptiOn of Ger jackson into the Valley of the
Shenandoah. Mr.. Secretary Stanton urgently
called on Governor Andrew of Massachusetts
for contingent of four regiments to aid in the
defence of the city, believed by the Secretary
to te in imminent peril from the threatened
movement. Governr Andrew replied that.
after what Massachusetts, had done, this "sud
den call " was ''heavy draught" upon her
patriotism but it would take time to organize
and muster the required regiments. In the
same reply he stated, after these butts. that
eff" The Administrator would only change its
policy on the slavery question, and permit the
" Massachusetts boys" to fire on the enemy's
magazine"-that is, attack slavery directly
why then "the streets and lanes of Masuchu-
sets would swarm with willing recruit"
We did not hesitate at the time to hold up
this conduct OF the Governor of Massachusetts
to the condemnation it deserved. 1t mattered
not that the p .ril against which the Secretary
of War called him to guard the National Capt.
tai was then as recently more chimerical than
real. Governor, Andrew could not know this
and, least of all. could he venture to act on the
presumption. And yet in the face of the ma
ton, he practically ignored the SeCretarvs call.
and engaged in parcy for the purpose of die
to ing terms on which the government might
expect to receive the prompt and hearty sup
s<,rM o<,k, ,L1 80.
National Capital. For this conduct we blamed
him. rr.
A few days ago, when, with the lights before
Us. it seemed that Gov Seymour, of New York.
had not manifested a becoming alacrity inr :
spending to the call recently made on him for
IL, 600 men, We did not hesitate TO express the
ctnsure which We thought appropriate We are
not pledged to find Governors or men OF one
parry always in the right, and Governors or
men Of another party always ia the wrong.
Though, even on the facts then before U.S. Gov.
seymour had not shown q Delinquency at all
comparable in kind or degree with that of the
Governor Of Massachusetts TWO years ago. we
thought he bad, in a measure subjected him
self to the same Kind of condemnation and
we therefore made no discrimination in his
favor.
1t now appears to Us, however that the con.
duct of Governor Seymour in the late suppos.
ed emergency was not fully Ouen to the fnIl
weight OF the censure We brought against it.
1t APPEAR that tile internal police of New
York ely requires for the projection of order
the constant presence of large proportion of
the organized and uniformed militia. Such il,
the common opinion Of Mayor Gunthor and of
Mai Gen Sanford. the commander of the city
militia. TIE latter cUncurs with the former in
the opinion that prudence requires the deten.
ton of the greater part of this organized mill
tia in the city, aud it may be that under such
circumstances it would have been ipiudicious
in Gov Sey mour 10 draw on the city for the
ident, TO say nothing Of the inequality to which
such an exacrion must have subjected the city
as compared with other portions OF the State.
Contrary to the general supposition, the
President did not call upon Governor SEY-
MoUR for militia to serve in the offences of
Washinutnn or To nroAoo4 larrland and