Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-17
HORATI0 SEYMOUR.
The N0BLEST DEMOCRATIC LEADER
OF THEM ALL.
A Sketch Of the Life and Political Career
Of New Iorks Most Distinguished
Statesman-His Services to Coun-
try and Pary-The Man We
Must Have in 1880.

little Village OF AouiptN otooN NA NiV
verge OF swamp that is now the loea-
ton of tourishing city, Syracuse. IL
was yeritably an oasis in the wilderness,
for around it stretched vast and almost
trackless forests, then peopled by their
Aboriginal owners, and as yet the lurk-
ing place of savage beasts, the bear,
wolf and panthers. A company OF har-
DIV Yankees, reaching out TO establish
homes in what was then the great West,
and penetrated thither from New Eng
land, and entered upon the labor
of clearing the lands. One OF
these was Henry Seymour, who af-
terwards held high position in the mag
nifcent Commonwealth be assisted to
found. In 1910 was born his son, HOra-
ito SEYMOUR who, although early taught
the lesson that no man in this country
comes into the world better than anOth-
er. can point with pride 10 his lineage.
His father. one OF the pioneers who as
sisted 10 Law the fOundatiOn-StOne OF a
great State; his mother, the daughter Of
a gallant soldier of the Revolution. He
was weak and sickly until he had al
most reached manhood. and his early
education was conducted by his mother
He still reverently remembers her
watchful care and patience, and 10 It
attributes much Of the prosperity and
happiness that hssattended himthrough
life.
When the boy was about eight years
old his father removed his family 10
Utica, and HOratio was sent away 10
school, first at the Oxford academy, and
then 10 the institution now known as
Hobart college. In the hope that the
physical exercise OF drill would correct
his bodily weakness, young Seymour
was afterwards sent 10 a military school
at MiddietOwn, Conn, represented to
have been a famous institution IN that
day, and one that attracted cadets, prin-
cipally the sons of wealthy and dlstln-
guished men, from all parts Of the eOun-
try. Here his health rapidly improved,
and he became noted as hard student.
In was fortunate that he was sent 10 this
academy, ON other grounds, for there he
made the acquaintance and acquired the
friendship OF lads, some OF whom, like
himself, afterwards became prominent
an the history Of the nation.
In 1876 the corps Of cadets were taken
TO Washington on pleasure excursion,
and there young Seymour first caught
a glimpse OF public life. Washington, in
those davs, did not give much indication
of becoming the beautiful city It now Is.
IL was muddy, unpaved, unslghtly
settlement of 1000 or 5000 inhabitants.
The White House was in course Of con-
structiOn, and the East room was used
10 hang up the weeks washing IN.
PENNSYLVANIA avenue was divided into
two carriage wavS by rows of pOplars.
Still the place possessed a charm and in
terest of novelty for these young men,
and a great deal OF attention was lavish
ed upon them. They were received by
President John Quincy Adams and Cab
met, visited the Capitol and the various
departments Of the Government. Mr..
Seymour uncle, iOr whom he was nam
ed was then a Senator from Vermont,
and was particularly kind to his nephew,
introducing him 20 many oi the great
men of the day. lie still dehghts
in recalling memories OF the visit, and
in rehersing the impressions he then
formed Of the political Tltans OF the Re-
public's earlier and purer days: OtClay,
''tall i'm stature, graceful In action, win
ming in speech" of the brilliant and
fascinating Calhoun; of Webster, whom
he remembers chiefly as being the pos
sessor of "a voice full OF magnetism,
such a voice as is heard but once in a
lifetime" of Randolph, pale. delicate,
with the fire Of genius blazing from his
clear ewes, eccentric in manner and eos
tume. of John Quincy Adams, cold and
statuesuue, apparently Overburdened by
the weight of dignity he felt called upon
10 sustain. He also went To Mt. Vernon,
and was present when Washington re-
mains were removed TO their present
resting place, and his hands were allow
ed 20 rest upon the coffin containing the
dust OF the father OF his country. lie
looks back upon that occurrence as one
of the greatest events OF his lie.
Mr.. SeymOur's entry into political lie
NAV be said to have been made when lie
accompanied his father 10 Baltimore TO
attend the convention that re-uominated
Jackson for the Presidency, the elder
Seymour being a delegate. He had pre-
yiously read law and been admitted to
the bar. and in those il was almost ne
cessitv that a lawyer should be a poll
tician. lie seems 10 have early become
enamored OF public life. lie was placed
above the necessity OF practising his
profession, as in addition to his own
ample fortune, his wife, Miss BleecSer,
"A lady of many accomplishments who
still lives TO grace his home, was also
richly endowed with this worlds goods.
The position of his father and his dis
tinQuished uncle rendered II cOmpara-
tively easy 10 crafty his desire in
that respect, and he was made a
member of the staff of Gov. VIM. l..
Marcy. becoming his confidential friend.
While holding this position he became
familiar with legislative duties, and IN
1912 was elected 10 the assembly by the
Democrats Of Oneida. He at once, by
reason of his ability and talents, took 3
commanding position in body memoir
able for the good quality of the timber
uof which il was composed. lie was rec
.ognized, young as he was, to be the peer
OF such men as Michael Hoffman, John
A. Dix, Church, Davis, Stetson and
Hulburn. Judge Hammond, IN his
''I ife and Times Of SilaS Wright, speaks
OF the young statesman as the pOSseSSOr
of a scRrvWd, discerning mind, one hu-
ent and frequently eloquent in debate,
cate details ~ facts almost at bis
fingers ends. Nr. Seymour contain
ued 10 be an efficient and leading men,
Der of this body, after a short in
terim i'm which ne served as mayor OF
Utica. until lS45 Al thai time the dis
cord in the Democratic party ~ New
York was at its height, and Mr.. seymour
"a q prominent member OF the Hun
keT' faction, became involved IN It. lie
was nominated by that party i1r speaker
of the assembly rs against the barn
burners'" candidate, Col Grain. The
struggle was intensely bitter and excit-
inc. so much so that Mr. Seymour, rec
oqnizing the deplorable effects that
would necessarily ensue TO the party,
made several efforts 10 withdraw his
name. lie was elected, however, and
became a model presiding officer, fair
and courteous to all sides; but the re-
suits he feared did not come to pass.
The "barnburners-Hunker troubles cul-
minated in the Cass-Nan Buren ieud,
aud contributed to the election OF Iay-
Tor and the crushing defeat Cf the Dem