The New York herald., 1873-09-02
Ex-Governor HOratiO Seymour on the
Question of the Hour.
A sTATESMANLIKE VIEW.
The Dangers That Threaten the
Life of the Republic.
EVILS OF OUR ELECTIVE SYSTEM.
How the Country May Drift Into Anarchy
and the Empire.

UTICA, N. Y, August 80, 1873.
Ex-Governor Seymour is residing quietly at his
pleasant home In Deerheld, near this city. Though
very quiet on political subjects he has lost none
OF his odlme interest IN public affairs and Is
watching them with great concern.
Your correspondent found him in the enjoyment
OF excellent health, and quite willing to comply
with your request to give his opinion OF the third
term policy.
MISUNDERSTANDING the value OF your ex-
perience in public affairs and tine interest with
which your opinions are always looked for, am
delegated by the HERALD to ask, "What do you
think Of C@sarismf"
Governor SEYAoUR-When you ask me what
think OF Cesarism suppose you refer to the ques-
tion OF third term for General Grant know
nothing about his view and Wishes and 1t Is prob
able ne is in doubt himself 1t will not entirely
depend upon him to say what shall be done in 1875.
He is only one OF q vast army Of of1ice-holders,
and the question will be what their interests will
call for. The aspects, spirit ana action OF our
government have been revolutonized within ten
years. This fact is shown not only by the charges
made by democrats, but more clearly by the bitter
denunclations of republican orators and journals
of the constitutional views OF the party which
governed the country down to 1860. The increase
In the number Of officias, the relationship OF the
central government to taxation debt ana finance,
railroad and other subjects, have made
A PRACTICAL REVOLUTION IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COUNTRY.
Even If it is admitted that all these things have
been done within the limits OF the constitution the
actual change is none the less real and enective.
The election OF o President for third term, in ad
dition to all this viii be an overthrow OF maxims
and usages so strongly held heretofore that the
people OF this country and OF the world at large
will look upon 1t as proof that we have accepted
a change in the character OF our government.
Many things can be done which do not violate the
letter OF the constitution, but which may effect
ually change the spirit and tone OF public affairs.
REPoRTER-Do you believe that General Grant or
the republican leaders mean to bring about such
revOlutionS
i Governor sEYMouR-No; do not think they
have any such purpose at this time, but do be-
ieve they are acting upon principles which in the
end will lead to great and tful changes. Parties,
ike individuals, take steps which force them to go
on in directions and to results they did not intend
at the outset. Look at the condition of the repub
iican party to-day. 1t is alarmed at the state OF
affairs the South, but 1t does not see any way of
changing the policy which has wrought ruin IN one
third Of our country. The republican leaders de-
Rpise the who rob and devastate the South, but
what can they doY These fobbers are at once
TIE SLAVES AND MASTERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
The slaves; for II they were not upheld at Wash
ington they would be punished for their crimes.
Its masters; for if the administration should drop
them it would lose political control in the Southern
States. SO 1t goes on IN its hateful work. hoping 1t
win find chance to throw overheard the wretched
crew of which 1t Is ashamed; but 1t finds no such
opportunity and so like errng individuals, 1t goes
hod IN ic mi iyedu mn a
mass of vie crimes and intrigues Of which it is
ashamed but OF which 1t cannot clear itself.
REPogTER-You said you did not think that Grant
and the republican leaders wished 70 overturn the
government Of the country. What do you fear,
then, in the future
Governor SEYMoUR-The evils Of the world do not
flow so much out Of mans intentions at the outset
as they do from their entanglements when they
enter upon many courses. Men do not mean when
they begin life to become thieves or murderers but
many OF them become such, because one false step
forced them into others At this time the interests
OF q vast army OF ofllce-holders, OF persons in
terested in contracts in various financial schemes,
lead them to resort to desperate measures TO hold
their power. The question is not do they mean to
violate the constitution, but
WILL THEY VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION
rather than give up their advantages. They may
not 90 any farther than their necessities demand,
and they Will try to keep up semblance OF legal
ity but after time they will afraid to give up
power. They Will not dare TO show the books. Fear
makes more revolutions than courage or ambition; ;
affairs get to point where men are afraid to go
back. 1t is said the ambition OF Caesar led him to
cross the Rubicon. | have no doubt, II all the
facts were known, it would appear that the des-
perate condition OF his adherents at Rome and the
demands OF his friends in his army pushed him for
ward. Such conditions have always made caesar
ISM will always continue to do so. do not say
that Grant is unreasonably ambitious, but do not
see any stopping place :or his friends. The repub-
lican party Is doing many things reluctantly and 1t
repents many things it has done, but it cannot
stand still, and 1t dare not undo its own work.
Many OF its members deplore its action, but
NO POLITICAL PARTY CAN PURIFY ITSELF WHILE 1T
is IN POWER.
What we have 70 fear is not so much the imme-
diate results as the inevitable and ultimate results
OF the policy OF the administration.
REPoRTRR-But Will the people consent TO rev.
olutionary policy
Governor SEYMoUR-Not II the question is fairly
put to them. The trouble Is that all that is involved
in public action is not clearly foreseen. Most
elections turn upon feigned issues. The real points
are kept in the background. A revolution may be
made inevitable long time before 1t comes about
This is usually the case.
REPoRTER--But the people can elect any one
they see 1T to make President and reject others.
Governor SEYM0UR-Oh, no; as parties are or
eanized few men name candidates, and the peo-
pie are In act limited to the choice OF one OF two
men. They may not like either, but they must
take one OF the two party nominees ! think In
1868 the people did not want either Grant or my
self, but they preferred him to me.