The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-07-24

tn E MINATIONS.
. siJsa aF.t -------a ...s .tg
Sketches of the Democratic Cam
didates. ..rr
HoRATIo SEYMOUR.

Horatio Seymour, the Democratic candi-
date for President of the United States,
was born in Pompey, Onondaga county
New York, in the year 1911, and is conse-
quently about. fifty years of age
The family to which Mr.. Seymour belongs
descended from Richard Seymour, who was
one of the original settlers of Hartford,
Conn. Major Moses Seymour, the fourth
lineal descendant, served in the Revolu-
tionary War, and subsequently represented
Litchield in the Legislature of Connecti-
cut for seventeen years. Of his five sons,
Henry Seymour, father of Horatio, was
born in 1880. He removed to Utica, in
this State, served in the State Legislature
with signal ability, and was for many years
Canal Commissioner, occupying promi-
nent position in the politics and legisla-
ton of the State. 0neof his brothers was
o distinguished member of the United
States Senate from, Vermont for twelve
years, Hon. Origen s. Seymour, for some
time Representative in Congress from the
Litchield District, of Connecticut, was the
son Of another brother named Ozias. The
maternal grandfather of Mr.. Seymour, Col.
Forman, served through the Revolutionary
War in the New Jersey line. ISL I'll.
Mr.. Seymour received q liberal and thor
ough education in the best institutions OF
the State. His instincts and preferences
naturally led him to the study of the law,
which he pursued with great vigor and in
dustry. He was admitted to the bar when
only little more than twenty years of age,
and at once commenced the practice of bis
profession in the city of Utica. The
death of his father, however, soon after
wares devolved upon him so great respon-
sibilities in connection with the settlement
Of the family estate, as to require the most
OF his time and attention, obliging him,
much against his wish, to relinquish the
practice of his profession. The death OF
his wife's father, the late John r. Blocker,
occurring about the same time, added to
his numerous cares in the adjustment OF
important property interests. Some of the
best years of Mr. Seymour's life were abb
sorbed in this work, but no doubt his
mind was being schooled, as it could not
otherwise have been, for the graver respon-
sibilities and duties that were to come in
after life. Up to this time Mr.. Seymour
had acted no prominent part in political
life, although from his youth, as were
his ancestors before him, he had always
been strongly attached, through sympathy
and taste, to the Democratic party. In the
fall of 1S41, when not thirty years of age,
Mr.. Seymour consented to the use of his
name as the Democratic candidate for
Member of Assembly. Although the
Wings were at THAT time largely in the as
tendency in Utica, Mr.. Seymour was tri-
umphantly elected by large majority
In the Legislature, Mr.. Seymour at once
took commanding position upon the
great questions involving the interests
Of the State, engaging in the leadidSs
debates with great fervency and assist
ing largely in shaping the legislation Of
the session. Among his Legislative asso-
ciates were John A. Dix, Michael Hoffman,
David r. Floyd Jones, George R. Davis,
Lemuel Stetson, Colvin T. Hubbard The
Democrats at that time were in the ascen-
dancy in. both branches of the LegisL ature
and the great measure Of the session was
Michael Hoffman's celebrated bill in rela-
tion to finances, which was supported and
passed by the Democrats. In the success Of
this measure, which was destined to re-
store the deprecated financial credit Of
the State, Mr.. Seymour took an active and
sympathetic interest, displaying for the