The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-07-25
Seymour and his Friends

Under this heading, a radical paper copies
the speech of Gov. Seymour given below, with
the remark: This is an excellent campaign
document. 1t needs no comment"
With single paragraph in explanation of
the circumstances under which it was deliver.
ed, We think, also, this speech is "an excellent
campaign document" and as such lay it be-
fore our readers. In May, 1868, the govern
at Washington ordered draft of some so
600 men to be levied on the state of New
York. The radical officials who undertook
to apportion that draft, gave New York City,
for the crime of being overwhelmingly demo-
cratic, quota about three times in proper
ton topopulaton, of the rural districts, which
were republican in politics. Gov. Seymour
protested against this injustice, but to no eff
feet. The officers went on, and undertook to
enforce this infamy at the point of tie bayonet.
The people of New York rose in body, and
declared If the government persisted in this
open wrong, they would right themselves. A
mob of 100000 Infatuated men and women
gathered in the streets, before whom the gov
eminent officers, though backed by large
military force, quailed. In their trepidation
they sent tor Gov. Seymour, and on Tuesday,
July IA, 1868, alone and without soldier to
back him. in speech of three minutes, Gov.
Seymour did that which the Government Off
cials, backed by ten regiments of infantry.
with a proportonate accompaniment Of ar
tillery, had vainly sought to do--he dispersed
the mob and restored perfect order in the city:
and subsequently. when the Government. bv
his address and irmness. was compelled to
give New York an honest apportionment the
draft went on without the least disturbance
The speech is model in its way and in itself
monument more honorable and enduring
than the most costly marble or granite column
would be to the fame of its distinguished
author.
My FRIENDs-I have come down here from
the quiet of the country to see what was the diff.
fculty, to learn what all this trouble was con.
corning the draft. Let me assure you that am
your friend. Uproarious oheering.l You have
been my friends cries of YES yes That's so y
we are, anu VIII De again -and now, assure
you, my fellow-ctizens that am here TO show
you test of my friendship. TCheersI I wish
to inform you that have sent my Adiutant
General to Washington to confer with the author.
tiles there and to have the draft suspended and
stopped. Vociferous cheers l ask you as good
citizens to wait for his return and l assure you
that will do all that I can to see that there is
no inequality and no wrong done to suy one.
l WISH you to take good care of all property as
good citizens, and see that every person is safe.
The safe keeping of property aud persons rests
with you, and charge you to disturb neither.
1t is your duty to maintain the good order of the
cityvand know You will do it. / wish YOU to
separate as good citizens. and you can assemble
again whenever You wish to do so. l ask Won 70
leave all to me now, and will see to your rights
Wait until my Adiuant returns from Washing.
ton, and you shall be satisfied Listen TO me.
and see that there is no harm done to persons or
property, but retire peaceably."