The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-04-17
gnIttita1.
THE DEMOCRATIC OUTLOOK.
Talk With HOratlO SaYmOur-Why He Positive
ly Declines once.

A Talk With HOratiO SaymOur-Why lie fOsltNe'
ly Declines once.
Albany, April 0.-Gov. seymour's at
tention was called to the recent cores =
pondence in these columnsin relation to
himself and also to the action Of the con-
ference which met in New York last Sat-
urday to urge his nomination as Gov,
Robinson's successor. He said II am
at loss to understand the meaning OF
this talk, and Of these proceedings. read
the SUMS letter copied into the Roches,
ter U nion, of which Mr.. Purcell is editor
and I find that his name figures in the
New York conference. Now he knows
my position perfectly well. I wrote him
an emphatic letter when this discussion
first began, telling him frankly that un-
der no conceivable circumstances would
I consent to the use Of my name for any
Office whatsoever. Lately l have taken
occasion to write him again to the came
effect, but with even greater emphasis l
have said before that it was unpleasant
to % about declining Office, but | am
forced by the persistency of my unwise
friends to do something still more un-
pleasant-to proclaim my physical mfr
mites, My health is in a very precari'
GUS state. 1t is an empty compliment to
tell me that look well. know, unfor-
tunately, that I do not feel well. l am
wholly incapable of protracted exertion
of any sort. An animated conversation
will sometimes flush my face and give
me, perhaps, the appearance of strength;
but that is usually followed
by reaction, under which I am often
Obliged to keep my room for days togeth-
er. cannot write, except at rare inter-
walls and for short periods. 1t is unspeak-
ably distasteful to me to advertise my
sickness, but it seems necessary in order
that some of my friends may understand
what mean when say that could not
accept an Office under any circumstances.
It would be an act of immortality for me
to run for Governor, for / am not Capa-
BILE of dscharging the duties. and the eff
fort would hasten my death. After this
frank aVowal, | hope to be relieved from
the opportunities of over Jealous
friends"
The Governor was reminded that in
1868, when he was the Democratic candi-
date for President, he seemed to gather
strength from the excitement of the cam
paign, and that always in earlier life he
appeared to enjoy himself most during
the activity of political canvass He
mused a moment and said:
81 am not now as l was then. A doz.
en- or twenty years sometimes add agreat
weight to mans life. My health was
not broken then. But as it was, [ ran for
an Office much oftener than was wise.
never loved the exercise Of power, new.
er cared particularly for public places, but
always liked politics, and, what is more
I like politicians They are much abus.
ed class 1t is the fashion to sneeT at
them, but think they are better men as
a rule than merchants and bankers and
other representatives of what is called
respectability. They make more sacrifc-
es and do more unselfsh work for others
than business men ever think Of doing
They cultivate certain Chivalric sense
of honor. Even some who are naturally
corrupt will refuse the most tempting
bribes when the integrity of their party
is involved. have seen enough of pc.
litical life to satisfy me that it's influence
is elevating and not degrading. l would
much rather be tried by jury of my po-
litical opponents who were acknowledg'
ed politicians, than by jury Of respecta-
BILE business men who said that they took
no particular interest in politics, but usu'
ally voted the Republican ticket. From
them l should expect gross injustice and
prejudice ten times as intense as my
avowed political opponents would display.
The man who serves cause, if it is not
a positively bad cause, is ennobled by the
service. He learns to look at men as we'll
as doctrines, from higher standpoint
than mere personal sel6shness. Hence
repeat that | like politicians as well as
politics, but do not like Office.
"The duties of the Governor of New |
York, continued Mr.. Seymour, "are ex-
ceedingly onerOus In the matter of par
dons, he is clothed with exclusive power |
to act, aud he is compelled constantly TO
listen to the most heartrending recitals,
the most touching appeals from the limo
cent wives, mothers and children ofthose
who have offended against the laws.
Sometimes, when was Governor, these
Diteous cries were irresistible, and l ex-
tended Clemency in certain cases where
strict justice, perhaps would have with
held it. But l could bear the criticism
Of the press (for | was hardened to that
more easily than | could the tears of wo'
men and little children. And when l was
obliged to refuse pardons las l was, of
in the great majority of casea), l
have spent many sleepless night con-
,emplating the misery which inclination
empted me to relieve, when duty for
oade. The Governors Office is no sine.
cure. To stand the wear and tear and
worry of the place, man wants to be In
'ull mental and physical Vigor-which l
I'M not"
After some further conversation, Gov.
Seymour, still speaking Of himself (for he
aid he would expose himself to the
charge of egotism, that there might be no
further Misunderstanding, continued:
THE success of no particular man, the
inclination of no particular candidate, is
absolutely essential to the welfare OF the |
party. Consider, if you wish to, the cir
cumstauces under " hich my friend and |
Mr.. Herman, and myself came
to prominence. 1t was at the beginning |
of the war, when nine tenths Of the lead
ers deserted the Democracy and went
over to the other side. There were Dix
and Dickinson and Tremain and host
of others, who ifthey had stayed would
have continued to act as leaders. But
their detection made it necessary to call
nm ma While the leaders left the party |