Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-07-21
THE Democratic Nominae.

The nomination of SEYMOUR and BLAIR
has been received with the greatest enthu-
siasm throughout the country. Their elec-
tion is a conceded fact. Governor Seymour
occupies the same place which Silas Wright
once occupied in the affections of the people.
The following tribute to our standard bearer
is taken from the Cincinnati Commercial, q
paper favorable to Grant and the Radicals
In 1910 we were in an interior town in the
State of New York. A Democratic mass
meeting had been advertised to be held in
favor of the then Democratic nominations,
Van Buren, and johnson, for President and
Vice President. An array of distinguished
speakers had been promised and advertised
for the occasion. AS usual under such Cir
cumstances, they were not present. 1t was
stated, however, that there was young gen
tleman in town, Mr.. Horatio Seymour, of
Utica, New York, who, if it pleased the au-
dience, would address the meeting. Amid
loud calls and acclamations he made his ap-
pearance. lie was youthful man, but of
an elegant and striking exterior. The first
sentences he uttered convinced us that he
was no common man, and that the people
probably were fortunate in the non.appear-
ance of the distinguished and more preten-
tous gentlemen who had been announced as
speakers. His manner and language was
that of an orator. His sentiments were those
of statesman. We were satisfied that the
unannounced and unheralded stranger would
make his mark in the future history of the
country. We were not disappointed. Five
years thereafter he was elected Speaker of
the New York House Of Assembly. ln 1850
he was nominated by the Democracy as their
candidate for Governor. He was defeated
by majority of two hundred and fifty on a
poll Of half a million-the closest political
contest ever known in the history of the coun-
try. In 1852 he was re nominated, and was
elected over his successful opponent of the
previous year by majority of twenty five
thousand. In 1851 he was again nominated
for Governor, but under the anti-Nebraska
and Know Nothing excitements he was beat
cu-very singularly again by about two hum
dred and fifty votcs-his opponent being
Myron Clark, of Canandaigua. In 1862 Mr..
Seymour's name was again presented as a can
didate for Governor, against his wishes and
feelings. He was elected by the triumphant
majority of ten thousand over General Wads-
WORTH the especial tavorito Of the Radical
party who was afterwards killed in the Army
of the Potomac. In 1864 he headed the
New York delegation to the Chicago Con"
vention, and was President of that body,
which nominated Mcclellan and Pendeton.
These positions constitute the public life Of
Governor Seymour. But they are but the
items of his political career. For twenty
years no man has exerted a wider influence
upon public affairs in the Democratic party.
No man is better known or more highly ad-
mired. As an orator he not only has no
equal of any party in New York, but he has
no rival. Indeed, as public speaker lie may
be considered one of the very best this coun-
try has ever produced. Gifted with fine
presence, with a remarkable and copious flow
of language, with elegant dicton, he is un
surpassed as an orator. He is the pride, he
is the ornament of the Empire State. In his
politics he has never wavered. He COM
mcnccd life Democrat, and he has never
wavercd in his advocacy of that political faith
In his private character there is no blemish.
His morals are pure-his reputation untar-
nishcd. He was not a candidate for the nom-
ination for the Presidency, but repeatedly
declined, and it was only upon the solicita-
ton of the West, and the unanimous voice
Of the Convention, that he accepted the Mons
ination. Why, then, should he not be sup
ported by the Democracy of the entire coun.
try? What objections can reasonably be
urged against him His general political
orthodoxy cannot be disputed. His charac-
ter and qualifications are eminent. He is a
Democrat of Democrats. He is eminent as
orator, he is distinguished as statesman.
He has ripe civic experience. There is no
comparison between him and Mr.. Grant,
either politically or personally. He will be
supported by the Democracy, and will be
triumphantly elected He was not originally
the choice of the West. as is we'll known
They preferred, with extraordinary unanimi>
ty, the Hon. George Fl. Pendleton; but, ow
ing to adverse circumstances, he has been
defeated, and the nomination has fallen upon
Governor Seymour, through the action of
Mr.. Pendeton's friends We do not hcsi-
tate to pledge him their cordial support.
Too Big TO CoUNT-The task of count