The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-11-19
Governor Seymeur's Letter to the
Manhattan Club.
UREA, November l3, 1873.

Ny DEAR SIR l am sorry connot
meet our friends at the Manhattan Club
and exchange congratulations with
them upon the results OF the late elec-
iions in this State and elsewhere.
While we rejoice over our political yic-
tories we must also bear in mind that
while they give us power they also inn
pose upon US responsibilities. The
question comes up in the mind Of every
thoughtful man, will those we have
placed in Office 30 perform their duties
that at the end Of their term all classes
OF citizens will feel that their elections
have been of service 10 the public2 1t
is not enough that we have gained pow
er and patronage. The people in those
States where we have elected our can
didates must be made to feel that we
have given them more faithful and able
officials than those they displace.
1t is claimed by the Repub-
licaus that their losses are due
to the Indifference Of their
partisans. This is not true. The con-
dition of business and industry in our
country excites the deepest interest in
financial and political quarters, in eve
ry mind and by every fireside. Many
Republicans would not vote for their
party nominees because they had learn
ed to distrust their leaders. But it is
also true that they had not yet gained
confidence in us. How can we gsin
that confidence 2 There are many diff
cuties in the way, but it can be done
il those we have placed in, office are
true to themselves and to the public.
The passions and prejudices excited by
civil war have not yet died out, but
time is softening them, and men begin
to take more just aud kindly views OF
the events OF the past. The efforts OF
the Republican leaders to keep alive
these passions begin to react upon
them. A party of hate is never long,
lived We shall hold power in this
State with strong hands il our officials
show stubborn honesty and do their
duty. II they stand up not only against
the attacks of their opponents, but
above all, if they resist the persuasions
OF their friends when they are In con-
hct with the public interest. While
we have not a majority in the Legisla-
ture we have strong minority there,
that can il it will make itself felt; that
can if it will do much to purify the
unhealthy atmosphere which pervades
the State Capitol, and which year after
year grows more dense and impure.
Our state officers can lop off many ex
penses which have grown up 30 luxur-
iantly during the saturnalia OF extravao
sgsnce in which the American people
have INDUCED since the close Of the
war. They must show economy in all
things, great and small. Il they fail in
these respects their offences will be
greater than those OF tn cir predecessors,
for they can Isirly claim that they had
to contend with the spirit of wasteful-
mess which pervaded American society.
That spirit is now changed, and faith
full officials will be upheld by public
opinion. The control OF the Canal
Board puts our great system OF internal
navigation under Democratic manage
ment. This concerns not only our own
but other States. 1t touches the great
problem OF cheap transportation. 1t
affects the welfare OF our whole coun-
try, for go lar no check upon railroad
chargesshss been found so effective as
the free competition OF water routes
II the thousands Of hard working men
who navigate our canals, and who op-
pose their economy, labor, and rough |
toll to the vast capital Of rail-
roads are made to feel the
Democratic Canal Board cares
for their interests, protects
their rights, and secures for them a
sale, clear, and well.maraged channel
for their boats we shsll not only gain
their support but the gratitude Of busi-
ness men throughout New York and
the Western States. 1.-THE Democratic
party is to gain and hold power it must
be by virtue Of the fidelity, industry,
and ability OF those it puts in
10 Office, and not by political strategy |
Dr. shrewd management. trust on
his occasion, when our friends meet to
celebrate their political victories, their
frst and most marked expressions OF
purpose and policy will be to hold
hose they have placed in power to the
most rigid responsibility for their acts.
While we shall deplore political dere-
ctiou in any quarter We shall reserve
our shsrpest criticisms and sternest de-
1unciations for unfsithfulness on the
part ofthose whose elections we sup
ported, and not for those whose ele-
ration we resisted. in view OF the in-
luences which pervsde the party in
power we shall hold unfaithfulness in
,ffice greater crime in a Democrat
han in a Republican, and we shall
leem it our frat duty to punish wrong
loers in our own camp.
l sm truly yours, &c,
HoRATlo SEYMOUR.
Nauton Marble. Secretary Manhattan