The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-15
our Presidential Nominations,


While the conservative and patriotic of Gen.
Hancock in command of the Fifth Military District
had commended him to the esteem and affection of
our people, and would have made him an acceptable
candidate, the general conviction of all thoughtful
induced them to hope that in these perilous days
OF our history the executive administration OF the
Government would be confded to the of civil
ian, and statesman familiar with the details Of official
duty learned in the history and laws of his country
and known to be the firm and faithful exposition and
advocate of principles which commend themselves to
the entire country, and of policy accepted by the
wsest and best men Of the country as identified with
its interest," welfare peace harmony, restored Union
and prosperity.
| We rejoice that with unanimity and harmony I'M
examped in any previous national convention, the
Democracy of the entire country, more assembled
in united counsels have been able to unite upon dis
tnguished standard bearer and one so predominant
ly endowed with all the qualities Of statesman-so
noby inspired with the generous instincts of love and
devotion for the entire country, which will merit and
win for him the enthusiastic support of all who love
| their country more than they love their party-and
who sincerely seek restored Union, and the vndica-
ton and maintenance Of the Constitution unmpared.
| The Hon. Horatio Seymour was born in Onondaga
county, New York, in 1911. He is consequently in
his fifty seventh year, age which gives of
matured judgment, and unimpared faculties. Having
studied law and entered upon its practice he shortly
relinquished his profession devote his attention to
the care of large estates left by his father and father
inaw. In politics he has been uniformly consistent
y and strongly attached to the Democratic party. In
lS41 he elected member of the Legislature and
| in the following year Mayor of the city of Utica He
was unanimously reelected to the Legislature in the
| proceedings of which he took at once prominent
part, and in 1916 chosen Speaker. In 1850 he
defeated candidate for Governor by 262 votes
| but in 1852 was again nominated and elected over
| both opponents by majority of 5000. In 1854 he
was again defeated In 1861, he delivered speech
at Albany strongly advocating concession and conci-
iatory toward the seeding States. In 1860
he mentioned as candidate for the Presidency,
but before the meeting of the convention he came to
Washington and in personal interview with Mr..
Douglas gave to that distinguished statesman assur-
| ances Of his support, and that he would not be a
candidate
In 1862 he was again elected Governor by 10, 1852
majority. He defeated upon denomination by the
election of Gov. Fenton. He was therefore one of
the governors of New York. Elected at time
when the bad conduct of the war, and prodiga and
wasteul sacrifice of life and of treasure by the first
Republican administration lead to the hopeful antic
patton that the people would the of their
welfare to the Democracy, he himself by his wise and
judicous course commended himself to all patriotic
men, The Democracy in those days powerless
to influence events. They endeavored to conine the
war to its legitimate and lawful objects, enunciated
in the Crttenden resolutions, embodying the pledged
legislative faith of the acknowledgements so shame
fully violated. In their convictions and sentiments
they were ably represented by Horato Seymour and
at all critical periods of the war; looked to him as
their wisest counselor They disappointed.
While he at all times sustained all the legitimate war
measures OF the Government, he at all times de-
nounced such as had in view merely the progressive
development of the Radical policy of hatred and vim
dictiveneSs His speeches delivered during and since
the close Of the have attracted universal atten
ton 1t is safe say that neither in or out of Con-
gress have the people found single statesman his
equal in ability or in the breadth, power and berality
of his opinions upon all public questions. We present
our readers in another column full and complete alb
stract of his last magnificent and satesmanike declar
alton of principles and of policy We wish better
platform for the entire country than that speech We
have no doubt that the platform when accurate
copy of it reaches will be found to be simply an
embodiment of his principles. We avoid its discuss
ion until we receive it in full. Gov Seymour's speech
no doubt embraces all of the leading questions which
will have prominence in the canvass.
Francis P. Blair, Jr is known to us as member
of family which has exerted no ineonsderabe infu-
ence upon the politics Of the country. His father
was an early friend of Henry Clay, and though
afterwards separated from him politically continued
his relations Of personal friendship. Mr. Blair, ST.,
became protege, friend, and ardent supporter of
Gen. Jackson, and continued an ardent Democrat I'M
til 1846, when he supported Mr.. Van Buren, and the
Wilmot proviso His son Francis pursued the same
course. Another son, Montgomery Blair, was in the
Cabinet of Mr. Lincoln, resigned, and upon Mr. John
sons succession to the Presidency became the earnest
advocate of his policy, and identified himself with
the Democratic party.
Francis P. Blair, Jr., distinguished himself during
the war, to the rank of Major General and CON-
manded a corps under Gen. Sherman, in his march
through the South, and until the close of the war He
has since commended himself to the Democracy by his
gallant and distinguished conservatism and advocacy
of Democratic principles, that the disturbing ele-
ment of slavery which induced bis separation from Lis
party has passed away He was the candidate by ind
Gated preference of the conservative army and navy
His nomination gives assurance of re-
turn to the party fold of powerful family influence
and of very large body of the Northern conserva-
tves who separated from the Democracy in ls4s and
1860, and is sure indication of that accession of
strength which will secure to the Democracy of the
entire country glorious complete and decisive vic
tory in November. His opinions, so far as they have
yet reached US given elsewhere and show that he
is in complete accord with his distinguished leader
Our REPREsENTATIvEs.-Wed do not understand how
is but the fact appears to be settled that our ster
ing Senator, Mr. White, has taken his seat while the
seats of the members of the Lower House have been
given to the minority substitutes" We cannot fur
lish our parshoners any reasonable explanation of
his anomaly. 1t may be safely said, however, that
he arrangement suited, supposed to suit either
The convenience the interest of the loyal faction
but how, Or in what manner, we cannot conjecture
Ii may be barely possible that with smaller majority
N the senate, the faction afraid to try so open