The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-07
The Keynote of the Campaign.


The Keynote of the Campaign.
From the N. Y. World.
1t is easy to see, from the whole texture OF
Governor Seymour's noble letter of acceptance,
that he expects to be elected, and he writes
under the feeling of responsibility which
befts such an expectation. He is already the
selected and recognized leader of one of the
great political parties; and in this his last
public utterance before the election, he seeks
to mould the public sentiment of the party
into conformity with the course he will think
it his duty to pursue as President. The con-
fdence which the party feels in his sagacity
and craftsmanship, binds it to conduct the
campaign in accordance with the views which
its candidate has 80 ably and 80 deliberately
put forth.
While Governor Seymour takes no pains to
conceal the hostility and scorn with which he
regards the bastard State governments and
the injustice and absurdity of admitting their
bogus Senators, he speaks of the honest
masses of the Republican party with candor
and considerateness which foreshadow the
healing moderation with which he will ad-
minister the government. He gives promi-
nence to the fact that many of the wisest
leaders of the Republican party have disap-
proved and protested against the violent
counsels which have prevailed in Congress;
counsels which he attributes to the fact that
the party has been free from the wholesome
restraint of a powerful opposition. The head
long courses into which ithas been hurried by
its most impetuous and passionate men, have
resulted from the inevitable tendency of all
unchecked power to abuse and Governor Sey-
mour evidently expects that, after great
Democratic victory, the wiser and more mode
rate portion of the Republican leaders, whose
influence has been overborne, will recover the
ascendancy due to their talents, and that there
will afterwards be no difficulty in tranquilliz-
inu ha MIR on, ba nli hos IF ;,,St
moderation, and good sense. One of the best
fruits which Governor Seymour seems to ex-
pect from Democratic triumph, is the spon-
taneous change it will cause in the leadership
of the Republican party, by dwarfng the infu-
ence of the reckless and domineeripg spirits
who now hold the rens and crack the whip.
| 1t is by such a change, and not by subversive
violence, that Governor Seymour expects a
satisfactory settlement of the prevailing diff
culties We ask attention to the following
pregnant sentences:--
| The Republican party. as well we. are
| interested In putting some check upon this
! Violence. 1t must be clear to every thinking
man thata division OF political power tends to
check the violence of party action, and to assure
| the peace and good order of society. The cleo
of members to the aonse a@s OF Reprs
sentatives would not give to that party organi-
zation the power to make sudden or violent
| changes, but 1t would serve to check those eX.
| treme measures which have been deplored by
| the best men Of both political organizations
| peaceful restoration of the Union and re-estab-
lishment OF fraternal relationship which the
| country desires 1 am sure that the best men
| of the Republican party deplore as deeply as 1
do the spirit OF violence shown by those re-
Gently admitted TO seats In Congress from the
South. The condition of civil war which they
contemplate must be abhorent to every right
"I have no mere personal wishes which mis-
lead my Judgment In regard to the pending
election: No man who has weighed and mea.
the United States can fail to be impressed with
the cares and tolls of him who is to meet its
demands. 1t Is not merely to float with pOpu-
lar currents without policy or a purpose. o
the contrary, while our Constitution gives just
feature is that 1t seeks to protect the rights OF
minorites. II greatest glory is that It puts
restraints upon power. It gives force and form
to those maxims and principles OF civil liberty
ior which the martyrs OF freedom have
OF the people 10 be secure in their persons,
houses and and papers. papers against unreasonable
make no law respecting an establishment OF
religion or the free exercise thereof, or
abridging the freedom OF speech, or OF the
redress of grievances IL secures the right
Of speedy and puolIc trial by an impartial
mo man can rightfully enter upon the duties
OF the Presidential office unless he is not only
Wiling TO carry out the wishes OF the people
expressed in a Constitutional way. but is also
prepared 10 stand up for the rights OF minorl'
Ties. de must be ready to uphold the free ex
ercise ofreligion. He must denounce measures
which would wrong personal OF home rights, or
Jne religious conscience or the numDleSJ cltlzen
OF the land. He must maintain, Without dis
Junction OF creed or nationality, all the prtv1-
leges OF American citizenship"
From these excellent paragl aphs taken in
connection with the whole tenor of the letter,
We get very clear notion of the method by
whith Governor Seymour expects to bring
back the reign of order, stability, and content
ment. He does not accept General Grants
servile doctrine that the President is to be the
n ere passive tool of majority. He recog-
nizes and accepts the fact that his administra
tion will be confronted by an opposition Sc
nate, and thinks that honest, peace-lOVing
Republicans should see in that fact sure
guarantee against any violent stretches OF au-
thority by the new administration. 1t is not
by subverting or circumventfng the Senate
that Mr.. Seymour expects as President, to
carry his measures, but by the asoendancy in
that body, of its wisest and coolest heads,
whose influence has been stifed by the AFRO
gance of passionate fanatics, because their
party has been free from the salutary check
of an efficient opposition. When the
Republican party finds itself in minority, it
will consent to be led by its statesmen, and no
longer by its demagogues and fanatics. After
the election OF Democratic President and
House OF Representatives, all wise Republicans
will see that the revolutionary measures OF
their party cannot be permanent, and that the
party would lose infinitely more than it could
gain by standing out against tranquillizing
settlement The universal demand of the
country will be for a prompt and equitable
settlement and the check Of the Senate upon
the new administration, will prevent the Gov
ernment from swinging from one extreme to
| H Ia IL -