Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-17

by beggarly majority OF 262. This
struggle revealed, however, his remark
able strength in the State and gained
him many friends. Two years later he
was elected by a majority OF several
thousand. He was compelled to grapple
with the most perpleXing questions.
The Maine law agitation was going on,
and, in response to what appeared to be
the popular demand, the legislature pass
ell stringent prohibitOry liquor law.
Gov. Seymour regarded the bill uncon-
stitutional and arbitrary, and always
true 10 his convictions of right, without
regard to personal consequences, be ve-
tOed il, accompanying its return with an
able and statesmanlife message. A storm
of indignation broke upon him; pulpit,
press, platform denounced him as an
apostle OF drunkenness, and a man OF
infidel tendencies. This veto was the
principal cause of his defeat in 1854,
which result as he probably fOrsaw when
he acted in accordance with his convic-
tiOns. After his retirement he still con-
tinued to take an active interest in poll
tics, and was universally recognized as
the leader of the party in that State. In
the National and State conventions his
voice was always for harmony, and the
accommodation of the opposing inter-
eSts of different wings OF the party,
that then seemed likely to seriously
weaken its usefulness and influence.
After the election of Buchanan, to Sc
cure which result he labored like gal
lev slave, he was offered an important
foreign mission, but declined. A DEM
ocrat of Democrats, an advocate OF the
rights of States, believer that the Re-
publican leaders, not the slave-holding
interests, were driving the country into
the horrors of fratrieidal war, yet when
the storm actually broke upon the cOun-
try, he ceased to be partisan and become
a patriot. His voice, means and infiu-
ence were directed toward the preserva-
ton of the Union. In 1862, recOgniz-
ing the pitiable condition OF the party,
the Democrats of New York again turned
10 him as their standard-bearer. He
made a most exhaustive canvass,
appealed directly and personally to
the people, struggled against what
seemed to be overwhelming odds, and
was elected by a majority OF 10000.
The whole influence of the Administra-
ton had been thrown against him, the
prominent men OF the party had desert
ed him, but with that unconquerable
pluck and energy which have ever been
his leading characteristics, backed by
the respect and admiration OF the people,
he was successful. His administration
of State affairs during that trying period
was marked by the coOlness, wisdom
and patriotism that appear TO be inner
ent elements of the mans character,
giving the General Government a
cordial and earnest support in its efforts
to suppress the rebellion, so much so as
to win repeatedly the thanks Of Presl-
dent Lincoln and Secretary Stanton. The
draft riots OF 1868 occurred during his
term OF office, and, although the occasion
was one to try the stoutest heart, he
never wavered from what he considered
the line of duty. He has been most wig
orOusly denounced for holdings "pala-
yer with the ruffians," but to attacks OF
that character he has never deigned to
reply, simply pointing TO the fact that
one of the most furious and threatening
mob outbreaks in American history was
effectually stamped down, under his
own direction, in less than forty-eight
hours.
Sorely against his will, against the die
tates Of his better judgment, in the face
OF his most positive and repeated deci-
nations of the honor, he accepted the
Democratic Presidential nomination in
1868. He was chairman OF the conven-
ton, and, after Gen. McCOOk, OF Ohio,
in ringing speech highly eulOgistic of
Gov. Seymour, announced him as the
choice of that State, and east It's twenty
one votes for him, yainly endeavored TO
stay the tide, but it was useless. His
friends torcibly removed him from the
chair, and, amid scene OF the widest
excitement, the changing OF votes, cheers
and demonstrations Of unbOunded en-
thusiasm, he was named as the candi-
date OF the Democratic party. To refuse
the almost unanimous voice OFT that party,
through its chosen represen
tatives, would then have seemed
selfish and churliSh and those
two qualities are as foreign to the
man as dishonesty or demagOgism would
be. He accepted. realizing almost sadly
the hOpelessness of the struggle, and
the respOnsibly he was assuming. After
the PENNSYLVANIA election, he saw his
fears confirmed, AMI devoted himself to
the task OF saving New York TO the De-
mocracv. To his strenuous efforts In that
direction, and the fact that he personal
lv entered into the canvass, making a
series OF most remarkable speeches, may
be attributed that important result.
The election of Grant was inevitable.
Ii might as well have been attempted TO
stay mOunta II torrent with a lash as
TO deiea. him. Gov. Seymour had clear
ly seen this from the first, and had de-
liberateiy sacrificed himself to render
the success of the party in other con-
tiicts possible. He accepted it good
humOredly, and without the slightest
shade of bitterness. When Gen. Grant
visited Utica after his election, he was
foremost in extending to him proper
reception, and humOrously remarked
10 his successful rival that he Seymour
was the better soldier OF the
two, "a he could not run
so well as Grant. Since then his
life has been one of partial retirement.
He is greatly interested in agricultural
matters, and has delivered a series Of
addreSsesupon such subjects. Although
viewing the course OF political events
with much solicitude, and always eXer-
cising the duties ola citizen, he has per-
Sistently considered himself as retired
from the political arena, and has repeat
edly refuled high office.
Such, briefly sketched, are the prin-
cipal events OF the life of him whom the
Post presents the Democrats OF America
as the most fitting leader they can select
TO lead them in the great contest OF next
year. Ii will be wise for the party to
act discreetly in the skirmishing prehm-
mary 10 that grand struggle. Slowly
has il climbed upwards into power, un-
iii the legislative branch OF the Govern
ment is in its possession. A false move
at this critical juncture may ruin all
that has been so painfully gained. IL
would be the part OF wisdom to select
one whose character and commanding
abilities would secure him the respect
even of enemies, and, coupled with un-
doubted and uncOmpromising Democra-
cv, would rally the members Of his par
~ anthusiaStically To his support