The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-08
Fine Speech OF Governorr Seymour TO
the New York Electors. IL

y E.st .:t.tf EXTRACT. liz So. -1!t I
Ii At this moment of general congratulation
the people were startled by the assertion
that there had been discovered in; remote
southern States the exact number OF
electoral votes which would be given to,
and would elect, the presidential candidate
who was not the choice OF the majority OF
the American people. The public excite
ment reached the highest point whenlt was
learned that,t men who proposed TO give
these electoral votes to the candidate OF the
minority had .beensfor years past charged
with grave crimes, and that their. personal
security against legal punishment depended
upon their success in classifying the returns
of their States. To them an honest count
meant just punishment. Yet "a few
such men, acting solely in reference
to their personal Interests, and who
believe the blackness of their crimes
strengthens their. claims, upon the graft
tude of their party. have thus put in
peril the interests, the honor, and the safety
of the American people. We have not the
poor satisfaction OF feeling that the dangers
that threaten us are even invested with the
ordinary dignity OF danger. The pride OF
our citizens is Inundated, and their feel
ings OF security under our laws and Consti-
tuition are lessened when they see that the
solemn verdict of eight million voters may
be reversed by less than eight infamous
men-men who have been branded by the
leading orators, statesmen, and Journals OF
their own political party as vile and cor
rupt in terms more vigorous than can re-
peat. II under our Constitution the ma
iority OF the electoral votes of the States
had been fairly given to the Republican
candidates, although the popular ma
iority is against them, all would have
acouiesced in their elections. Such re-
suits are to be regretted, as they do
not give administrations the moral powers
they should have for their own dignity and
the good OF the country. To elect men to
govern the Union against the will OF the
people by unfair methods is revolution.
Such plots involve anarchy. distress, and
dishonor. Those who engage IN them,
when they have taken the first steps, must
go on at all hazards. They have staked their
political fortunes-it may be their lives or
liberties-upon success. Fear goads them
on to darker acts OF treason. The first false
steps forced a reluctant South into rebellion.
In the same way they now iinpel desperate
politicians, who upheld usurpatlon in LOU
isiana in the past, to stand by them now,
regardless of the honor and safety OF the
American Union. Will a free people trust
such men with the reins Of power? Will
they consent to be. dragged into danger and
dshonor by.men who ARE goaded on by
fears which always haunt the guilty. ~. =. 2
One thing all men see. The Republican
party cannot decide its own case in its own
favor against the majority. Of the American
people upon the certificate Of branded men
in Louisiana without making the body Of
our citizens and the world at large feel that
it is corrupt and partisan decision. Such
Judgment will not only destroy our honor
and credit for the day, but will be prece-
dent for wrong-doing in the future. We
cannot have Mexican politics without
Mexican finances and Mexican disorders.
The businessmen in all civilized countries
have been taught by recent bankruptcies
and disorders in Governments, made I'M
stable by agitations, to be watchful and dis
trustful when they see the slightest devia-
ton from political honor, without which
there can be no financial honor. . ti#
On this occasion, as one of the represent
tatives OF this great State, l am impelled to
speak about public affairs. There is danger
that the solemn decision of New York, with
its vast interests and great population, is to
be Knocked at and made On idle ceremony
by few INSCRIPTIONS men. 81; ..,. -...