The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-07-15
THE NOMINEE.

elm 1910 we were in an interior
town in the State of New York. A
Democratic mass-meeting had been
advertised to be held in favor of the
then Democratic nominations, Van
Buren, and johnson, for President and
Vice-President. An array of distin-
guished speakers had been promised
and advertised for the occasion. AS
usual, under such circumstances, they
were not present. 1t was stated, how
ever, that there was a young gentle
man in town, Mr. Horatio Seymour,
of Utica, New York, who, if it pleased
the audience, would address the meet
ing. Amid loud calls and acclama-
tions he made his appearance. He
was a youthful man, but of an ele-
CANT and striking exterior. The first
sentence he uttered convinced us that
he was no common man, and that the
people probably were fortunate in the
non-appearance of the distinguished
and more pretentious gentlemen who
had been announced as speakers. His
manner and language was that of an
orator. His sentiments were those of
a statesman. We were satisfied that
the unannounced and unheralded
stranger would make his mark in. the
future history of the country. We
were not disappointed FIVE years
thereafter he was elected Speaker of
the New York House of Assembly.
In 1850 he was nominated by the
Democracy of New York as their
candidate for Governor. He was de-
feated by a majority of two hundred
and fifty On a poll of half a million
the closest political contest ever known
in the history of the country.
In 1852 he was renominated, and
was elected over his successful oppo-
nent of the previous year by a majority
of twenty-five thousand.
In 1854 he vas again nominated for
but under the anti-N ebras-
ka and Know-NotIing excitements he
was beaten very singularly again by
about two hundred and fifty votes
his opponent being Myron Clark, Of
.anandaigua.
In 1862 Mr.. Seymour's name was
again presented as a candidate for
against his wishes and feel
-ngs. He was elected by a triumph
mt majority of ten thousand, over
General Wadsworth, the especial ia
of the Radical party, who was
afterwards killed in the Army of the
Potomac.
In 1864 he headed the New York
delegation to the Chicago Convention
nd was President of that body,
which nominated Mcclellan and
oendleton.
These positions constitute the public
ife of Governor Seymour. But they
re but the items of his political
areer.
For twenty years no man has ex-
rted a wider influence upon the pub
&c affairs in the Democratic party.
70 man is better known or more
ighly admired. As an orator he not
My has no equal of any party in New
york, but he has no rival. Indeed, as
public speaker he may be considered
of the very best this country has
yer produced Gifted with a fine
resence, with a remarkable and copi-
flow of language, with a n elegant
he is unsurpassed as an
He is the pride, he is the ornament d.
f the Empire State. 8
In his politics he has never wavered. s
lie commenced life as a Democrat,
nd he has never wavered in his adj
ocaey of that political faith. In his
character there is no blemish. $
lis morals are pure-his reputation I
ntarnished. He was not a candidate J
,r the nomination for the Presidency :
ut repeatedly declined, and it was
My upon the solicitation of the West I
nd the unanimous voice of the Con- |
that he accepted the nomina- !
on.
Why, then, should he not be sup I
orted by the Democracy of the en- $
re country? What objections can :
.asonably be urged against him? His E
eneral political orthodoxy cannot be
sputed. His character and qualif- Ii
.tions are eminent. He is a Demo d
at of Democrats. He is eminent Il
an orator, he is distinguished as a a
atesman. He has ripe civic expert e
There is no comparison be- q
cen him and Mr.. Grant, either Po-