The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-06
From the New York Tribune.
THE PRESIDENCY.
Governor Seymour Not a Candidate.
His Nomination "a Thing Out Of the
Question"--He viii be Glad to See
Gov Tilds=. Nominated at st.
Louis if it Can be Done With
the Cordial Assent of all
Sections.
Governor Seymour Not Candidate.

ALBANY, April 3.-The personal and
political relations Of ex-Gov. Seymour and
Gov. Tilden have. been subjects of endless
gossip and discussion during the past few
months. They occupy very different
places. Gov. Tilden is at the head of the
new and progressive Democracy, who are
forcing the old ways and the OLE leaders
into the background and steadily raising
the standards not only of their own party
but OF the other also. Mr.. Seymour has
retired from the field of active politics,
and rests on the reputation of a man who
kept himself pure and honest in the midst
of much that was impure and dishonest.
Gov. Tilden is heartily hated by considera
bic sections OF his own party, both within
and without the state, good share Of
them men whose thefts he has exposed or
whose mad political schemes he has helped
to defeat. Gov. Seymour preserves al
ways careful neutrality. He knows no
factions within the party, and offends none.
There is probably not a partisan in the
United States to-day who is so popular
within his party as Horatio Seymour. The
mention of his nams-his personal pres
ence-are enough to arouse Democrats of
the old-fashioned kind to the widest en-
not impossible dangers of the ST. Louis
Convention that some one may start a
stampede with his name, whereat they
will all throw up their hAts-and the cleo
ton. Gov. Tilden is well known to be a
candidate for the presidency Mr.. Sey-
mour, it is the sincere opinion of those who
know him well, has no desire either for
nominations or for office. He might have
80. II
simply nodding his head. His great am
bition seems to be to hold his place at the
head OF his party in this state as arbitef,
adviser, and sage, preserving his influence
unimpaired by refusing to lean toward this
candidate or that, or to take part in strug-
giles within the party lines. These are the
relative positions of these two men, whose
personal relations are of the most intimate
and friendly character.
Occupying the position he does, Mr.
Seymour is invariably nominated for each
vacant office as soon as the vacancy oc-
ours, by men who wish to use his name to
iniure their opponent, or as a cloak to
their own designs. 1t is in this way that
he was talked of for senator last winter,
that he is talked Of for the ST. Louis
nomination now, that he will doubtless be
talked Of for governor next autumn His
name is urged now for the presidency, not
with his consent, and in spite of his pro-
test against what he calls "a Dissertation Of
the grave, by all the elements of opposi-
tion to Gov. Tilden in this state. OF these
the greatest is the canal ring, to which a
number of men, mostly with personal
grievances, have joined themselves. There
are several men among them who nave
held prominent positions in the party, are
able, ambitious and disappointed, but the
rank and file are of the poorest possible
material. To these must be added a num-
Der of men, not of any great influence,
who cannot be accused of completely with
any ring, but with whom Gov. Tilden is
unpopular, usually for personal reasons
1t was WITH the idea of ascertaining what
ex-Gov. Seymour was willing to say with
respect to this recent use of his name, OF
to his views with regard to Gov Tllden',
candidacy, that the interview which fol
lows was sought.
Mr.. Seymour has suffered from i'll heaitl
during much of the winter, and has made
only one or two trips to the capital. liz
was well enough, however, to make a Ions
and interesting argument for low tolls last
week before the legislative commit.
tees, and seemed to-day in his usua
strength. When he was asked il
regard to the movement that was
apparently on foot, and was urged by
several Democratic papers in the state L
bring out his name tor the presidency, hC
seemed TO be amused with the idea tina
any one thought OF him as a candidate
He said that in uncertain times like thu
present, those who wished to be non com
initial, without seeming to be So usual,
declared for some impossible candi
date. This gave no offense AM
left them tree TO choose their mol
at leisure. 1t was probable that sucl
action gave rise to the rumors with regart
to himself. In truth, such commentator
proved that mans political career wa
ended, not that he was formidable. The,
we've in The nature Of obituary notices
which were always complimentary. Ii
added in laughing way that Mr.. Conklinl
is talked OF for the presidency, and j
would not do for one family living in tn
same little city, which is now filed witt
senators and judges, to attempt to furnisl
presidential candidates for each of tn
great political parties. As his nomination
was "a thing out of the question, not dc
sired by himself nor seriously thought O
by others '-theso were his words-he wa
dispassiOnate though an interested oh
server of the pending canvass, He wa
not and could not be one of the factors 0
the presidential problem.
In response to the question, what b
thought of the political outlook, Gov. Sey
mour said; The political condition o
the country is unsettled. Both partie
are thrown into confusion by new issue
and new relationships between the states
There is strong feeling of sympath,
growing up between the south aud west
/ hope both parties will send their bes
men to their national conventions, and tina
when they meet they will act upon fai
and full consultation, and that they will
put their most patriotic and able mer
upon their tickets. The condition of th
country is too grave to admit of contest
which only relate to partisan interests
1t Is an open question as yet what tn
people will do at the next election. Tn
opinions of those who will decide betwee,
the two parties are not yet formed. The
wait and watch. There. will be NOR
thought for the country and less for mar
ties than usual. The Republicans hav
lost the confidence of the country, and tn
Democrats have not gained it.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are your view
about Gov. Tilden's nomination.
Mr.. SEYMOUR am in no way engage
in the work of president making, but if q
the proper tune it should be expedient t
nominate MIR. Tilden,it would give me grea
pleasure to support him for that or any othe
position. In the mean time the governo
is more anxious to succeed in his reform
than for his personal advancement. Iii
failure in these respects would not only