The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-07-31

during the year, with reference to the
draft. 1t was justly believed, by the
citizens of New York, that that city
was being unjustly drawn upon for
quotas of troops.
The outbreak was serions and men
aced revolution. It was at this critical
period that Gov. Seymour became the
master spirit Of the occasion and its Oc-
currences. On the one hand, he exert
ed his personal influence to quiet the
tremendous excitement that prevailed
in the city and, on the other, he APP
piled himself to using such efforts at
Washington as would secure a remov-
al of the unjust inequality Of the en-
rolment, and thereby remove the cause
of the outbreak. He first addressed
letter asking that the quotas might
be equalized, and that the draft be sus-
pended until the result of the recruit
ing could be ascertained. On the re-
fusal of Mr.. Lincoln to suspend the
draft as requested he then forwarded
a statement showing a monStrouS eX-
cess in the New York quotas over
those of Massachusetts, Vermont, and
New Hampshire. This time, he was
partially successful; and the war de-
partment allowed the reduction of the
excessive quotas of certain districts.
On July 30, General Dix notified
Governor Seymour that the State
troops would be called or to enforce, if
necessary, the draft, which, for the
times, had been suspended by the in
fiuence of Governor Seymour. Still
believing the quota excessive, the Gov
ernor applied for further suspension.
Mr.. Lincoln refused the Secretary of
War promised General Dix an ade-
quate force of troops to enforce the
draft and there was imminent dam
ger that a collision would occur be-
tween the Federal troops and the citi-
zens of New York. Ii was at this
critical juncture that Governor Sey-
mour brought into play all his cool
ness and wisdom. He did not inter-
NIT, for a moment, his effort to secure
such reduction of the quotas as would
remove the disturbing cause of excite
ment and incipient rebellion He
steadily gave himself to this work j;
and so successful was he that he Sc
cured the desired reduction, and there
by saved New York from the horror of
what would have been a bloody and
wide spread insurrection. For this
service, he won the thanks of the peO-
pie of the whole State end country, as
he did those of the legislature of New
York. Amy man with less GOODNESS
and judgment would have surrendered
to the outrageous demands of the war
department, and thereby haveprodu
a revolution.
A revolution, in the summer of 1868,
in New York, would have imperiled
the cause for which the nation was
fighting.
Lest the opposition may undertake
to misrepresent the position Of Gov
ernor Seymour, we reproduce the clos
ing portion Of his proclamation, issued
upon the resumption of the draft:
81 again repeat the warning which L
gave to you during the riotous proceed
ings of the past month, that The only
opposition to the conscription which
can be allowed is an appeal to the
courts. The right of every citizen to
make such an appeal will be maintain
ed, and the decisions of the courts
must be respected and obeyed by rulers
and people alike. No other course is
consistent with the maintenance of the
laws, the peace and order of the city,
and the safety of its inhabitants. Ri
OtOus proceedings must and shall be
put down. The laws of the State of
New York must be enforced, peace and
order maintained, and the lives and
property of all citizens protected, at
any and every hazard. The rights of
every citizen will be properly guarded
and defended by the chief magistrate
Of the State.'"
81 hereby admOnish all judicial and
executive officers whose duty it is to
enforce the law and preserve public or
der that they take vigorous and eflec-
tive measures to put down any riOtouS
or unlawful assemblages and, if they
find their power insufficient for that
purpose, to call upon the military in
the manner pointed out by the statutes
of the State. If these measures should
prove insufficient, | shall then exert
the full power Of the State, in order
that the public order may be preserv-
ed, and the persons and property Of the
citizens be fully protected"
AS an evidence of the interest which
Governor Seymour took in the success
ful termination of the war for the u
nion, his action at the time of the in
vasion of the State of Pennsylvania is
well worth recitation. 1t will be re-
membered that the governor of Penn
sylvania called upon Governor Sey-
mOur for certain number of troops.
He promptly forwarded more than the
quota Of militia demanded.
In the following year, the most no.
ticeable act of Governor Seymour's adj
ministration took place, with refer
ence to the resolution of the legislature