The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-29
J .aREnsvrIIr, s. g., July 27, 1868.

II l&sStCn'tU6 SONtUttHGS, &C.
My DEAR SIR: I regret deeply that
twill not be in my power to partici-
pate with you and the people of Co.
lumbia in your brilliant and enthusi-
astio ratification meeting tomorrow
evening. 1 know that it will be bril-
liant, from the preparation you have
made, and the distinguished gentle
men who are to address you. T feel
assured it will be enthusiastic, from
the well-known Democratic feelings
and principles of the people of Co.
lumbia. Tt
In the selection of Horatio Sew.
mour and Frank P. Blair, by the
Democratic Convention in New York,
as their standard bearers in this great
contest between civil and constitu-
tional liberty, on the one side, and
military ,despotism, on the other,
they have shown great wisdom and
good Judgment. Mr.. Seymour is a
gentleman of the highest and pulrest
character, profound statesman, and
| a consistent, devoted Democrat
throughout his whole, life, He is
nov in tho prime of his manly intel
lect, with great experience as an ad-
ministrative officer, having twice
filled, with signal ability, the Execu-
tive Department of the great Empire
State OF this republic. His mind is
highly cultivated and enriched with
all the stores of learning and practi-
cal experience. In debate, he is able
and eloquent. His manners are
those of polished gentleman, warm,
cordial and sincere. In personal ap-
pearance, he is strikingly prepossess-
ing and engaging. His manly form
and expressive features are stamped
with the true nobility of nature. In
purpose, he is firm and self-reliant.
AS gallant leader and standard
bearer of the great Democratic party
of these United States, he cannot lie
surpassed. He did not seek the
nomination, but it sought him,
amongst all the distinguished Demo
Gratis who were before the Conyen-
tion. After balloting two or three
days, without success, his name was
presented to the Convention by the
great State of Ohio. against his
wishes and remonstrances, and re-
ceived the unanimous vote of every
State of this Union on the first bal
lot. The high honor thus rendered,
he could not refuse, and reluctantly
accepted, for the harmony and sue
cess of the Convention and Demo
cratic party. v
General Frank P. Blair is citizen
of Missouri, born in Kentucky, and
the son of Frank P. Blair, ST., who
was the intimate and bosom friend
of General Andrew Jackson, and the
editor of his political organ in the
city of Washington. General Blair
was gallant. officer in the Federal
army, and fought, throughout 1.-THE
war, to preserve the Union. When
it closed, his mission was ut an end,
and, like brave soldier and true pa
triot, he exerted ali his great infiu-
ence towards an immediate restora
tion of the Union, with the rights of
the States unimpaired, under the
Federal Constitution. For three
years past, his exertions have been
unremitted in opposition to all the
tyranny and oppression of the radi-
cal Government. He has labored
manfully, everywhere, and in almost
every State of the Union, to crush
out military despotism and misrule.
There is no truer friend of republi-
can principles and constitutional
liberty now living, than General
Blair. He is man of high charac-
ter and great ability, with indomita-
BILE courage. self-will and independ-
ence. In word, he is true type
of the Jackson character and school
in politics, as is shown in his recent
letter and past life. He was the
choice of 1000 of the Federal army
officers, his compeers in arms, in
convention at New York, during
the sitting of the Democratic Con-
vention, and his nomination was
unanimously made by all the States
on the first ballot. This shows the
high appreciation of General Blair
by the Federal army and the national
Democracy. When the Southern
States were called in convention 10
nominate candidate for Vice-Pre-
sident, it was pleasing and crafty
ing sight to see such men as General
Hampton, General Forrest, General
Gordon, and other distinguished
Confederate Generals, responding
for their respective States in favor of
Frank P. Blair, whom they had met
on many bloody field of battle, and