The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-27
An Interview with Governor Sew
mour at His Home.
HIS VIEWS ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS
Condition Of Parties in
Oneida County.
EX-GOVERNOR FENT0N INTERVIEWED
The Political Situation in Chautauqua
and Cattaraugus.
UTICA, Oct. 90, 1879.


To so to Utica without seeing Horatio Seymour
would be like paying visit to Rome without seeing
The Vatican. Although the veteran statesman has
retired from active political life and has steadily re-
fused to take any share in the present canvass he
still feels deep interest in the welfare OF the party
whose principles he has helped to form and has SO
steadfastly maintained. and never refuses TO con-
with frankness and earnestness on the poticai
questions that occupy the public mind 10 those
who are fortunate enough to enjoy his commence
he does not hesitate to display the rich store OF
phiosophic thought laid up in his mlhd ana formu-
lated into novel and striking ideas during his many
hours of peaceful leisure. A conversation with
him is like opening the pages OF rare and
interesting book. His residence at Deerfeld
is admirably suited to such man. 1t is typical OF
its owner S mind. Situated on an eminence 1t af
fords good. unobstructed, honest view of the SUR
rounding country, with its varying shades and
.olors. The landscape is taken i'll altogether as it
were. its parts blending harmoniously; for the
Governor abures fences. and in all his broad acres
there is not suggestion of contracted limits and
unnatural. arbitrary divisions Field runs into field
and meadow into meadow. conveying to the eye an
impression of breadth and freedom which would be
destroyed by stiff hedges and rail fences. There in
the distance, lies the city of Utica We nothing
of it's sursing life and hear sounds of its bust
ness activity; but its white buildings, its shining
roofs and it's bright spires plainly visible. Does
it recall to The Governor his cventtul public
viewed from distance. its hopes and
anxietes hushed. but presenting landmarks upon
which the world looks with admiration?
THE pEEnFIELD FARMER HOME.
Time and again Horato SeymoUr's mode of life
ut Deerfeld and the rich antiquarian treasures with
which he has surrounded himself, and in which he
takes much delight. have been described by the
press ia to I'm desc rirtjoD
here These things are precious to the Governor
as family relics coming down from the days of the
Revolution and gathered i'll homestead built on
land which was owned by his wife's ancestors when
New York was yet British colony. But while he
glories in these treasures and takes jusable pride
in displaying them to his friends. the farmer of
DecrGeld does not by any means live in the past.
He takes active. vigorous interest in the events
and questions of the present, aud his busy mind
grasps and masters the leading features of European
Affairs we'll as of the affairs of his own country.
He finds that gradually Europe has been compelled
TO rely upon US for food for her millions, and
he looks beyond the fact that the gold of the
Old World is thereby lowing into our golfers, and
that the balance of trade is turned to credit He
recognizes exports of grain to feed their pco-
pie the beginning OF contest between European
landowners and American land-owning farmers
and. to his words he feels that we'll as
filling their peoples mouths. 1--WE bombardiDg
their social and political institutions with barrels
pork and beef and -four and pouring into them
volleys of grain" Despite the attempts of their
governments to shut out the products of our
country by legislation aud the cultivation OF preju-
Dice he knows that in a position to demand
OF them their money their men; that. the face
of heavy shipments, the value of their great
landed estates is melting away, making Bismarck
treinbe for the tax by which his mil
itary power is maintained. and undermining Brit
sh hcrodity. which. according to Mr.. Gladstone.
"sustains TAR more than is sustained by British
institutions"
THREATENING DANGER.
But the calm. thoughtful statesman, while occupy
ing himself in writing addresses tor agricultural
societies and an occasional paper for n magazine
gives close attention to home politics aud feels
u lively interest i'll the action or parties and the
positions public II is to say that
Governor seymour has given up politics. 1t would
be as correct to say that father and mother who in
their advanced sit in their quiet home watch
ing their children who have sought other ties and
are out battling with the world, have ceased to be
parents. On the hills at Dcerfied the Governor is
anxious for the welfare OF the democratic party
and Tor the advancement and prosperity of the
country as he was when lie sat i'll the Executive
Chamber at Albany Only his health admonishes
him and his inclination prompts him to refrain
from again entering the arena taking any active
part III political affairs. Not that he is tail
ing feeble either in frame in intellect.
Ruddy. stout. upright and seemingly vigorous. with
aclear eye, bright countenanco and firm step, he
looks the pictuse ct rugged health The only Indi-
cation OF advancing age to be discerned about him
I'd slight detect OF hearing which prompts him
casiona to place his hand behind his to aid the
sound of speakers voice. but il is tri1ing TO
be scarcely perceptible and a stranger seeing him
walking about his farm as straight AZ arrow, ard
without even the help of stick would take him for
hale, hearty farmer, scarcely beyond the prime of
lie. When questioned by the HERALD correspond
ont on the subject OF the present ca pagn lie spoke
readily and frankly.
mere, lac SAID in substance, land should seek
your opinion as to the outlook of the campaign
rather Than attempt to pronounce judgment of
my own. seldom see any one who converses about
politics. and all know OF the progress of the
vass Is what read in the local papers. ain sin
cerely DESTROYS tor the OF the democratic
party, not alone because OF my sympathy with its
prinelpies, put because see great peril to the
country and especially to the State of New York. in
the doctrine now becoming general among OPP
ponents Both MIR. Conkling and Mr.. Hayes i'll their
speeches use the word 'nationalism'-a word
known TO our constitution and deliberately rejected
from 1t. The republicans are anxious to centra!ize
power more aud more In the national govern nient
and TO place greater restrictions the States and the
wealth oi New York sits by and applauds the idea.
railroads and when Mr.. Vanderbilt proposes TO leave
railroad legislation with Congress the rich ner.
chants OF the metropolis intorse the prouositiou
But they do not remember that they have two Sena-
tors in Congress- while the combined rival states of
Pennsyvanla. Massachu setts aud Maryland have
SIX. Eight Central states have majority OF popula
ton anu bear the greater share OF the taxes and
what is the spirit of the speeches OF MIR Hayes and
Mr.. Conklingp They virtually say to the hitecn
Southern States. Come in with us; vote with us
tor heavy subsidies viii give you your river i'm.
you want; help US to impose taxes which
you do not have TO pay; your thirty Senator'S will
enable us to do this and. we despoilcd you tho
war. will let you despol us Ia the time of peace.
although tho southern ride may hold the Southern
States for time true to the doctrine of state rights.
such appeal must prevail in the end and shall
then the SOUTH which fought for secession, act
ing with New England. which originated aud fos.
tered secession. You ana know that the United
States Senate has all the time been increasing the ~
preparation bills and the eight states that pay most
OF the taxes have to bear the burden. our system
OF government contemplated In the Senate q
conservative body that should act hs
check and restraint the popular branch
OF Congress. But IL not orcscen that the Senate
would be the virtual dispenser OF enormous patron.
age. bcstOwing favored followers thousands OF
offices that excite political greed and ambition all
over the country. with the new idea OF national
isu developed. with the thirty Southern Senators
voting taxes thcy are not called upon to pay, ana
aiding the republicans to grant subsidies without
limit, Sherc VIII be New York. with her two Sena-
iers' where tie eight great taxpaying states, with