The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-02
Gov. Seymour's Speech.

Gov. SEYMOUR's speech before the Utica
Convention has been read and pondered
by Republicans rs well rs Democrats
throughout the country. This is a refresh
Ing and significant omen of the times.
1t is rare for political leader, when
addressing an audience chiefly COM
posed of the magnates and managers Of
his party, to raise the level of
his speech so high above all partisan
considerations as GOV. SEYMOUR did
on that occasion. IL is encouraging
10 see statesman who enjoys the conf
dcnce of all shades Of opinion in his party
and the respect of his political opponents,
ut the threshold of II Presidential campaign
In which the chances are in favor of his
associates throw aside the low, selfish an
peals TO party spirit, so common in such
performances, and tell the Democrats that
they do not deserve success Ia the pending
contest merely because the Republicans
are extravagant and dishonest; that they
Will only be worthy of triumph when they
can prove TO the people that they them
selves are economical and faithful; and so
tar as he is concerned that lie does not de-
sire Democratic victory this fall, unless
the party can stand this test. The nation is
not hopelessly given over 10 profligates
and plunderers when such man as
HoRATIo SEYMOUR thinks 1t wise to open a
Presidential canvass by sounding key
1ote like this.
Gov. SEYMoUR's speech was marked by
inooie moral tone and broad aud gem
ne patriotism. He rebuked both friends
aud opponents for their tolerance Of
fraud and corruption in the conduct Of
Affairs, and asserted that these vices were
not confined 10 the Federal Administra-
ion, but existed in all our state and NUM-
,ipal Governments. lie pointed to the
general greed for money and the haste to
get rich rs the main cause for the demorali-
sation of society. He had the candor to
My that though, in his opinion, the Repub-
hotns hold certain lax constitutional doc
trines, which lead up TO the doors OF the
Treas ury. nevertheless he believed that II
the Democrats had been in power so
long they would have been about as
corrupt as the Republicans have been.
He was severe on shoddy, tinsel, wild
speculations and extravagaut living and
denounced the venallty and profiigacy of
men in Office as The natural outgrowth OF
reckless expenditures, inordlnatc love OF
money, and lack OF sterling integrity
among the masses of the people. He
pointed to an early return to the simple
habits and genuine virtues OF the fathers Of
The republic both III society and govern
ment, ns the best remedy for the evils that
surround US.
There is nothing very original in these
views They have been uttered by scat
tered moraists, by portion of the public
press and u limited number of indie
pendent politicians ever since the close of
the war, and especially during the ad-
ninistration OF GRANr. But that which
challenges particular attention in this in-
stance is tile fact that at an important
convention OF his party, on the eve OF "a
aerce struggle for supremacy in the gov
ernment of the country, phliosophic
statesman ana sagacous political leader
deems 1t not only proper, but the highest
reach of expediency TO send ringing along
he lines OF ms followers u speech in which
ne bIse' the claim for victory by the
Democrats mainly on the contingency of
their ability to satisfy the voters that
they will administer the Government more
honestly than the Republicans.