The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-08-14
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
Gov. Seymour's Letter.


letter of acceptance, the Chicago Times
says: "Of all the statesmen we have had
in this country, there has not been one
who has put the English language together
in more graceful. simple and effective
manner than Horatio Seymour. In this
he is the peer of Daniel Webster. There
cannot be found in all of Governor Sey-
mour's speeches, or letters, or state docu>
ments, a sentence Of doubtful meaning, or
one not pregnant with thought, or one that
is not gracefully expressed. He writes
anG speaks clearly. He is, without intend
ing to be so, what universal opinion accord.
ed Macaulay to be, as q writer, "a stylist.
eve say without intending to be So be-
cause Governor Seymour's multiplicity Of
labors will not give him time to dress his
though hts in fanciful array. He is a bold
and vigorous writer, because his mind
firmly grasps the subject of which he
treats. His style is polished one because
he is by nature, education and association,
a gentleman. The criticisms of his speech
es by the Radical press have been palpably
unjust. He never has concealed his opin-
ions, or endeavored to place them before
the people in such form that they would
be susceptible Of contradictory construc-
tons. On the contrary, he has striven to
influence the popular judgment by simple
and explicit teachings
" His letter Of acceptance is a very sug-
gestive one, and is fearful arraignment of
the party in power. 1t is of unusual
length, but his best and most judicious
friends will not wish that it had been more
brief, or that word in it had been
changed. His admirable sagacity and tact
arc apparent in every part of the letter.
There is nothing in it which invites assault,
and it is full of facts and reasoning which
will attract attention and command the
consideration Of voters.
There are two point, in it which should
be specially noticed. His comment upon
the action of Congress. In taking a recess
instead of adourning to the commence
ment Of the regular session, will bring
down upon him vast amount of Radical
vituperation. Unfortunately for his as
sailants, they have furnished him with the
weapons to turn against them. Mr..
Schenck, who, since the illness of Mr.. Ste
vens, is the acknowledged leader Of the
majority in the House, plainly said that
Congress should meet before the regular
session to take some action for controlling
the elections. The pretence that the Pres
ident would attempt, during the summer,
to overthrow the reconstruction infamy, il
too shallow and absurd to deceive any per-
son Of ordinary intelligence. The debate
on the question of taking recess, as we'll
as the lawless course Of the party in power,
fully justi6es Gouernor Seymour in saying:
There are, with those who shape the poll.
cy of the Republican party, motives strong
er and deeper than the mere wish to hold
political power. There is dread of some
exposure which drives them on to acts 50
desperate and 50 impolitc.'
His discussion Of the duties of the
Presidency plants a very heavy and effec>
tive blow squarely between the eyes of Hi
ram U. Grant. The duty Of President
is not merely to float with popular currents,
without policy or purpose, says MIR.
Seymour and the common sense of the
people will approve the saying. The men
who formed our constitution did not intend
that the chief magistrate of the nation
should be nothing more than q constable,
charged With the execution of the DEGREES
of Congress. They did not suppose that q
man would be chosen for the Office without
brains enough to fashion policy, or NAM
hood enough to attempt its enforcement.
"The Radicals have been anxiously
waiting for the appearance of Mr.. Sey-
mour's letter of acceptance. They are
now relieved of suspense. They have
learned what an honest and able man and
statesman thinks of their abuses of pow
er and the evils they have inflicted upon
the country. The letter is an indictment
to which they must plead. 1t is very care
fully drawn, and the proofs supporting its
charges cannot be controverted. 1t has
not been often in the history of our coun-
try that a Presidential candidate has helped