Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-09-21
GOVERNOR SEYMOUR.
His Admirable Letter, Gdving the Rea-
SONS Which Compel Htna TO Retire
From Active Political Life.

sons Which Compel Htna TO Retire
From Active Political Life.
UTICA, n. Y. Sept. 4, 1sT6. My Dear
SIR: The Democratic Convention which
met last week, acting under misapprehen-
slons, put me in nomination for the office of
Governor OF this State. This It's members
would not have done If they had known the
facts regarding my health. For many rea-
sons / ought not to be their candidate.
Duty demands that / should decline the
proffered honor. While i am grateful tor
the friendly sentiments which prompted
their action, my declination il compelled by
obstacles which l can not overcome. For
some months my health has been infirm and
q recent illness has untitled me for mental
or physical eXertions. NV own opinien,
confirmed by the judgment Of my physi-
clans, convinces me that / am unable at
this time to perform the duties devolving
upon the Governor of New York. could
eheerfully sacrifice my own purposes and
| feelings to meet the wishes of my friends;
would not hesitate to peril my health to
uphold those principles in which believe,
| or to promote the public welfare; but feel
that should sacrifice the interests Of the
party which placed me in nomination if
| accept it's action. Even the superior
| strength of the party with which act could
not elect a ticket with the known fact that
| it's nominee for Governor was unequal to
| the performance Of the labors OF that office.
| I could not conscientiously enter upon
them. can not do my friends the wrong
! of placing them in false positions by trying
to do so. / therefore feel constrained to
| decline the nomination.
| While it is a great sorrow to me that
can not on this occasion meet the wishes of
those to whom am deeply indebted for so
many favors, yet am satisfied that my ac-
tion will only subject them to some present
| j, convenience, which, in the end, will
prove to be their advantage. 1t is not an
| unusual thing to have vacancy upon
ticket, nor a difficult matter to fill it. In
the main, the action Of the Convention will
| give confidence to our friends throughout
| the country. 1t removed the only cloud
upon our political prospect. There was
fear that disc0rdant organizations in the
| Democratic stronghOlds would peril the
| success of the State and national tickets.
These difficulties are all adjusted. The
nominees We're selected with the utmost
| harmony. The members separated with a
confidence Of victory. Unlike the rival
Convention, there was no eXultant majority,
no wounded nor Inundated minority. The
candidates who were not placed in nomina-
ton were not opposed for reasons reflect
ing upon their honor, or which were lasting
in their nature. While tie Democratic
party is emerging from its embarrassments
its opponents are sewing the seeds OF bitter
| controversy and strife. Even the eXlgen-
cies Of the Presidential election can not re-
strain their harsh comments upon the men
and measures of their own organization.
can not think there is doubt about the
result of the pending contest. The Repub-
licans demand the restoration OF unqualhed
, power in all branches OF the General Gov
| ernment, and this is done III the face of
much that is condemned by thoughtful men
of their own party. The change Of / ISL
dent will make no change with their ru'ing
minds, with their prevailing organization,
i with their usages or policy. The warp and
$ w0of and texture OF Republicanism Will be
the same under the Presidency OF Grant or
e Hayes. / wish to say no unklnd word OF
e either. The evils which att1ict our country
Il win mn oh IT,.
e tions fOc they can be laid bare and punish
L ed, but from the more subtle influences OF
n prevailing waste and extravaganza. These
o will never be corrected except by the sharp
n conflict of parties. The election OF DEM
|. ocratic House of Representatives has led to
d many painful disclosures, but no good citi-
- zen doubts the value OF these as checks to
e official abuses. Many reforms have been at
"a tempted by Republican officials which they
would not have dared to ente upon IL their
l. party had not been confronted by a Demo-
IN cratic House, which made exposures that
compelled and enabled Republican officials
to punish gross wrongs.
Does any fair minded man doubt il all Op-
D. position 20 the Republican party is crushed
out, if every Department is placed under
its control that those who hold extreme
- views will prevail in its councils? We have
,o seen that one Of their most cautions Senators
- has broached a violent and revolutionary
;S ;S plan with regard to the States. This was
- never done without consultation with his
10 fellow members. The Republican speakers
J. in the canvass appeal to the passions of theil
= hearers in the spirit which prompted thii
20 revolutionary scheme. 1t is true that some
"A of their journals protest against it, they be-
~ long to that class which are unheeded eXcep
,ir in times Of great peril to their organization
ba While the Republicans demand unchecket
Of power, the Democratic party, which oil
i. vides with them the population OF oul
p country, seeks by the election OF
~ President and majority
oa . the House of Representatives to gain
"a voice in the councils of the nation. Its sue
n cess will not enable it to pass nor to repea
~, laws without the assent of its opponents il
Of tie Senate. The largest snare OF power ant
~. patronage will still be left in the hands o
,t tie Republican party. Under our Govern
Ior nent no violent changes OF policy can b
"a made except by repeated elections. Surel
n@ at this time Of business distress and gloon
,aTT every thoughtful citizen should desire sue
nS, distribution Of power as shall make eac
a,, political organization watchful to note an
. ~ vigorous to correct the wrongs of its oppo
,ry nents. In this way only can we hope I
are correct not only gross wrongs, but the NOR
oil subtle, and, on the whole, the more power
on flll usages which waste the revenues OF tn
IS Government and oppress the industry {
;He the country.
InE On our part we offer our Candidates fC
re, the Presidency and Vice Presidency and tn
70 majority of the House of Representatives
.ro represent the Democratic party in its efor
o,,e for reform. On the other hand, let the RI
in publican Senate and the great array Of Oft
G ais represent their organization. II
coming elections can be decided In view
ot their respective exhibitions of ability, vi
Ws the, and patriotism. Itwas never designe
: by the founders OF our Government that OF
his party should control all its branches for
mo long a period that it would lose sense OF 8
Se7 accountability. 1t was because the Repu
his lcans have thus held power thai they ha
ta. outraged the sentiments of their own part
.et. sans. 1t is because of recent Democrat
iii victories that they begin to feel the necess
veil " OF c0mihehqInS lnensetss W .iis ia'ut
90 citizens check this wholesome change befo
No they have been confirmed in more virtuo
Nd habits by tempting them again with u
he ehecAeu PGweI: pSiiese Wy peuL,ie
ord therefore am confident that we shall cal
wife our State and elect our Presidential tick