The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-20

present, but II would doubtless OCCUR to the
reader in connection with the Wallace family.
In the address he says, "We have fought
good fight" What this sybilline utterance
may mean none can tell; but we think that
Mr.. Wallace is somewhat Of wag. We have
only to hope that in future he and his army
will fight just as good fight, and win just
such victories as were gained in Maine, New
Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
and Indiana. They feel quite lively over them.
Frank Blair says they "precurse radical de-
feat" We hope the precursors will increase.
The Boosted Loyalty of HoratIo
Seymour.
THERE is nothing more awkward for an
aspirant to public Office than to have one of
those peculiarly unfortunate appendages
known as a record. Like the tail of fox, it is
very pretty thing to talk about in an open
field, but when its possessor gets in tight
place, the ornament catches all the briers, is
caught by every twig, and frequently causes
the destruction of its owner. Now Mr.. Sey-
mour is in the condition Of bushy tailed fox
BOibB COV0I VI
every step it brings him to a halt. He prates
Of his war record, and an awkward speech is
suddenly thrust at him; he tells US of his
great nerve, and some irreverent man recalls
his address to the New York rioters; and
finally, he claims to have sustained the
Administration in the prosecution of the
war, and letter finds the light dated May 16,
1868, which rather puts quetus on all his
pretenses. This letter demands especial atten-
tion. 1t reveals how thoroughly the man who
wrote 1t was opposed to all necessary measures
to subdue the Rebellion. Its date is signif-
can't We were in the darkest period of the
struggle. Not only were our armies held in
check by the enemy, but for several months
they had been winter bound. Dissatisfaction
was general. In addition to the strength of
the Rebellion, the sedition in the North had
gained headway. The riots which broke out
six weeks later were impending, and it was
known that they would visit us. In such
time as this, when decisive measures alone
could save us, when the Northern traitors
must be controlled by some wise plan,
and when every patriot recognized
the fact, the Government arrested that
most pestilen. traitor, Clement L. Vallandig-
ham, and after trial by court-martial sent
him beyond the lines. At once the men
who sympathized with his movement against
the Government rose up in arms. Meetings
were held with the avowed object of incom-
moding the Administration; and to one of
these meetings Horatio Seymour, then Cover
nor of New York, was invited. In reply he
wrote letter. In it, among other things, we
find he said speaking of the arrest of Vallan-
digham:-
"The perpetrators now seek to impose punish
ment, not Tor an otfense against laW, but for the
disregard OF an invalid order put forth in the
utter disregard of the principles OF civil liberty.
If this proceeding is approved by the Govern
ment and sanctioned bv the people. IL is reuoLu
ton a. lOW not only lead TO military deSpotism-H
establishes military despottsm. In this aspect IL
must be accented. o! Ia this aspect rejected. U
IT'S "P"e'd or liberties are over'hrow".
"It is fearful thing to increase the danger
that now overhangs us by treating the law, the
judiciary, and the State authorities with con.
tempt
"The action of the Administration will deter.
mine in the minds OF more than one-half of the
people of the loyal States whether this war is
waged to put down rebellion at the South or
destroy free institutions at the North"
The man who, at such a time, would write
such letter, must be either in head fool or at
heart traitor. Either alternative does not
add to his claims to the Presidential chair. To
talk of revolution as impending at time
when the North was in a fermsnt, and bad
men wanted but the sem blance of an excuse
to precipitate a rebellion in our midst, was
treason in itself. Especially it was so when
it was spoken by the Executive of a mighty
State, backed by all the authority of his official
position. And shall this man rule over us {?
Shall such man as this occupy the seat of
Lincoln and supersede the claims of Grant {?
We trust the decision of these questions tolthe
people on Tuesday week.