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

mour's acceptance of the democratic nomi-
nation for the presidency:
UTICA, Aug. 4, 1868.
GENTLEMEN-When in the city of New
York, on the 1lth ut., in the presence of
arge multitude, on behalf of the national
democratic convention you rendered to me
It's unanimous nomination as their cand-
date. for the Office of president
OF the United STATES, stated that
had no words adequate to express my
gratitude for the good will and Kindness
which that body has shown to me. Its
nomination was unsought and unexpected.
1t was my ambition to take an active part,
from which | am now excluded, in the
great struggle going on for the restoration
OF good government, peace, and prosperity
to our country; but | have bcen caught up
by the oyerwh elmiug tide which is bearing
us on TO great political change, and | find
myself unable to resist its pressure. You
have also given me copy of the resolu-
tons put forth by the convention, showing
Its position upon all the great questions
which now agitate the country. AS the
presiding officer of that convention, | am
familiar with their scope and import. AS
one of its members, am party to their
terms. They are in accordance with my
views, and stand upon them in the con-
test upon which we are now entering, and
L shall strive to carry them out in the fuS
ture, wherever | may be placed in politi-
cal or private life.
l then stated I would send you these
words of acceptance, in a letter, as is the
customary form. | see 10 reason, upon re-
hection, to change or qualify the terms of
qnnrnyol Of tho rnCOlufInpa nf tho
veption
l have delayed the mere formal act of
communicating to you in writing what |
thus publicly said, for the purpose of see
ing what light the action of congress would
throw upon the interests of the country.
Its acts, since the adjournment of the con-
vention, show an alarm, lest change Of
political power will give to the people what
they ought to have,-a clear statement Of
what has been done with the money drawn
from them during the past eight years.
Thoughtful men feel that there have been
wrongs in the financial management which
have been kept from the public knowledge.
The congressional party has not only allied
itself with the military power, which is to-
be brought to bear directly upon the cleo
tons in many states, but holds itself in
perpetual session, with the avowed pur-
pose of making such laws as it shall see fit,
in view of the elections which will take
place within few weeks. 1t did, there
fore, not adjourn, but took recess, to meet
again II its partisan interests shall demand
its reassembling
Never before in the history of our coun-
try has congress thus taken a menacng at
tltude towards its electors Under its in
fuepce, some of the states organized by its
agents are proposing to deprive the people
OF the right to vote for presidential cleo
tors, and the first bold steps are taken to
destroy the right of suffrage. 1t is not
strange, therefore, that thoughtful men see
In such action the proof that there are, with
those who shape the policy of the republi-
can party, motives stronger and deeper
than the mere wish to hold political power;
that there is dread of some exposure,
which drives them on to acts so desperate
and so impoltic.
Many of the ablest leaders and journals
OF the republican party have openly de-
plored the violence of congressional action,
and its tendency TO keep up discord in our
country. The great interests of our union
demand peace, under a return to those in.
ternatlonal pursuits without which we cam
not maintain the faith or honor of our gov
eminent. The minds of business men are
perplexed by uncertainties; the hours Of
toll OF our labOrers are heightened by the
cost OF living, made by the direct and in>
direct exactlons of the government and
our people. are harassed by the frequent
demands of the tax gatherer. Without
distinction OF party, there is strong feel
ing in favor Of that line OF action which
shall restore order and confidence, and
shall lift off the burdens which now hinder
and vex the industry of the country. Yet,
at this moment those in power have thrown
into the senate chamber and confessional
halls new clement of discord and violence.
Men have been admitted as representatives
OF some OF the southern states, with the
declaration upon their lips that they
cannot live IN the states they claim to rep
resent without military protection These
men are to make laws for the north as well
as for the south. These men who a few
days since, were seeking, as surpliants,
that congress would give them power with
In their respective states, are to-day the
controllers OF the actions Of these bodies
and, entering them with minds filled with
oias, demand that congress shall look upon
the states from which they came as in
condition of civil war; that the majority of
their populations, embracing their intelh~
gence, shall be treated as public enemies
THAT military force there shall be kept
up at the cost of the people of the north.
and that there shall be no peace and order
at the south save that which is made by
arbitrary power. Every intelligent man
knows they not only owe their present posi-
tons to disorder, but that their every mo-
tive springs from the love of power, of
gain, of desire for vengeance, and prompts
them to keep the south in anarchy. While
that exists, they are independent of the
wills or wishes of their felIow>citizens.
While confusion reigns, they are the dis
pensers Of the profits and the honors which
grow out Of government of mere force.
These men are now placed in positions
where they cannot only urge their views of
politics, but where they can enforce them.
When senators shall be admitted in this
manner from the remaining southern states,
although they will have, in truth no consti.
tuents, they will have more power in the
senate than majority of the people of this
union living in nine Of the great states. In
vain members of the republican party have
protested against the policy that led to this
result. While the chiefs of the late rebel
lion boyo Submitted IN tho ro.,,1. r. IL,