Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-07-16
Our Candidates.

We give below sketches Of the Democratic
candidates for President and Vice President:
Horatio Seymour Eas born in Pompey, Onon-
daga county. New York in 1871. and is there
fore hltv-seyen years Of age. lie commenced
at AN early age the practice Of law in the city
Of Utica, aud at the age Of thirty, though an
active Democrat from youth. was chosen Mayor
Of that Wing city-aa illustration Of the per-
sonal popularity which he has always possess
ed, in a remarkable degree among those who
knew him. In ls4l be ives elected 10 the
Legislature Of New York, aud his career from
that time has beel one of interesting distinction
Among u's. iiy men Of the first rank and ability
then IN the Legislature, Mr. Seymour at once
took conspicuous position. and soon became
a recognized leader Of his party in the State.
lie became especially conspicuous in the Legis-
lature bv the mastery manner in which he dis
cussed the public works and financial condition
Of the State in the wear 1914. He was after
wards chosen Speaker Of the lower House, and
presided with distinguished ability.
During the subsequent division of the party
in New York his influence was constantly ex-
erted for the restoration Of harmony and peace.
and in 1852 these labOrs were crowned with
success. Mr.. Seymour wastriumphantly elect
ed Governor Of New York over the then incum-
bent, Washington Hunt, and his administra-
ton greatly confirmed the opinion Of his states
manlike abilities founded upon his legislative
career. At the end Of his term he was again
brought frward as the candidate for Governor,
hut was defeated by Mvron H. Clark. Repub-
Hcan. who was elected over Mr. Seymour bv q
plurality Of about 200 votes. $4,000 Demo-
cratic votes having been cast fnr Greene G.
Bronson. On the first Of January. 1855. Mr..
Seymour retired from Office. Int in 1862 he
was again elected Governor Of New York, and
served TN January, 1865.
Whilst. as Governor and public man he
sustained the war Tor the preservation Of the
Union. he opposed. in his State papers and
public addresses. the perverSion Of il 10 other
purposes than those which were its avowed
objects. In 1864 he was defeated for the gov
ernorship by Mr. Morgan the Republican can
iidate. and has since held no public station,
though he has continued 20 enjoy the ardent
and undin iniShed confidence If his party He
is kind and social by nature. fluent and elo-
uuent in debate, and enlarged and liberal in
his views One Of his Democratic supporters
spoke of him years ago as. ain the estimation
Of a majority If the people Of New York. the
first of her living statesmen" and added -
" Unboupdei confidence in Mr.. Seymour. and
firm belief that FIR him are reserved the high
est honors Of the Republic seem now 10 he re-
garied as part of the creed Of every true Dem
ocrat Of the Empire State"
His wife. a daughter II the late John r.
Blocker. Of Albany. Is universally admired for
her intelligence. loneliness Of character, and
elegant manners. They have no children
or Mr.. Sevmour's three sisters, one married
I.edvard Sinclair. Of Casanova; another Mr..
Shonnari. Of WeStCheSter and another the
Hon Roscoe Conkling, United States Senator
from New York.
Gov. Sevmour's speeches on subjects Of great
public interest during the last three or fnur
years have been universally read, and have
secured for him = national reputation. Il is
not extravagant 10 state that few speeches Of
the present day have made deeper impression
on the public mind than thoseof Gov Seymour
Ifelectei to the Presidency-as he undoubt-
edly will be, by an overwhelming majority
he will bring 70 the Presidential Office talents
equalled by hut few Of his predecessors In
patriotism ard purity Of character he will not
suffer nv a comparison with the brightest names
in American history.
Major General Francis P. Blair IT.. Demo
cratic nominee for the Vice Presidency, was
born in Lexington. Kentucky. February 10
/ 1921 graduated NJ Princeton College. adopted
/ the profession Of law. was a member Of the Mis-;
-tfIfl t-ci-trtstfiio ss.-~nl anu alnctof
I p Representative from Missouri 10 the Thirty.
/ fnh Congress. serving on the Committee OF
/ Private Land Claims. Reelected To the Thir
tv-seventh Congress, and was chairman Of the
Committee on Military Affairs. He was also
I Colonel Of volunteers in 1861. and in 1862 he
was appointed Major General in the army. anC
was subsequently reelected To- the Thirty,
eighth Congress. During the first session O
/ that Congress he resigned his seat in the HouS,
% resume his position in the army. Int hy IN,
action Of the House. subsequently. the seat wa.
assigned D. his contestant. Samuel Knox. II
| 1876 he was appointed by President johnson
collector Of customs for the port Of St Louis.
/ Tie is a gentleman whose civil career anC
gallant military services have combined 10 give
/ him prominent position in the party TO which
he has always belonged. and which has iuS
conferred upon him so sicnal mark Of It's con-
hdence Holding retroactive and proscriptivt
teS.-oaths for voters 10 he unconstitutional hC
refused 10 take the teSt-oath imposed nv tho
fanatical Missouri State government. and made
an appeal 10 the supreme Court in that case
which has not vet been decided lie is a mar
of strong political convictions and undouhted
frmneSS 81 character. His popularity with the
army and throughout the West adds strength
N the fickrt and insi1rns It's si1ccess