The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-23

Seymour Speaking Against His Own Election.
There was a democratic demonstration at
Buffalo last night, and the democratic
candidate argued the situation much as
ne did the night before at Rochester,
Governor Seymour in his speech at Roch-
ester made the strongest argument against
his own election to the Presidency. He said
ne would be powerless if elected, for those
statute laws which to-day shackle and hinder
the action Of Andrew johnson would equally
shackle democratic Executive. Our repub-
lican friends will control the Senate; they
will control the House of Representatives;
they will control the army, for their candidate
is the General who commands that army"
He argued, then, that s'there can be no danger
from an Executive thus shackled and power
less" And Mr.. Seymour might have added
there could be no good or usefulness from
President thus situated. But would there not
be danger or prolonged trouble to the country
In having an Executive in antagonism to the
other departments of the government? 1t
may be useful sometimes to have the power of
pOAeAOoA PoA Woo NAobAAUutOO Al Vic ROvcIuulcub
so as to keep each other in check, but when
the legislature is overwhelmingly powerful
and can override hostile Executive, as has
been the case with Mr.. johnson, deadlock is
creates, the government is paralyzed and trou-
BILE follows. We have only to look back at the
unhappy results Of the conflict between Mr..
johnson and Congress during the last three
years to form an idea of what might occur if
Mr.. Seymour were to be elected. Should we
not have the strife continued? Should we not
whelming opposition Congress has not only
made the Executive comparative nonentity,
but has invaded his constitutional prerogatives
and endangered the institutions of the country.
Would this all-powerful party in Congress take
the back track if democratic President were
electedp No, it would shackle him still more
and virtually take all power away from him.
The country would be kept in state of agi-
tation and disorganization. Mr.. Seymour's
argument that he would be utterly powerless
if elected is the strongest that could be made
against his election. What the country really
wants is change in Congress- reduction of
the radical representatives and largely in
creased number of democratic members. This
would give healthy check to party excess
and proper balance Of power.
Seymours speech last night repeated the
above argument as applied to Blair. The
Governor stated the notion that he would be
pushed aside if elected and Blair put in his
place, and then made it clear to his audience
that with oil power practically in the hands Of
the republicans Blair must be very great
man if he could do any harm, or the republi-
cans very great fools. This is the argument of
ticket that stands before the people on it's
defence, not that of one commencing its ad-
vantages to the nation. Mr.. Seymour was
happier in his arguments against the taxation
of the republican party, and happier still in
his onslaught on reconstruction. But oratorical
happiness will not save the case. The demo-
Gratis should give up the Presidential contest
as hopeless and exert themselves to elect
members to the next Congress. 1t is their
only chance of acquiring any power in the
government. If they do this they may lay the
foundation for success and long lease Of
power in the future.