Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-04-15
HoRAT1o SEYMOUR.
Why He Positively Declines Office.
INou, York Suc


Gov. Seymour's attention was called to the
recent correspondence in these columns in
relation to himself, and also to the action of
the conference which met in New York last
Saturday to urge his nomination as Gov.
Robinson's successor. He said: 81 am at a
loss to understand the meaning of this talk,
and of these proceedings. find the Suns
letter copied into the Rochester Union, of
which Mr.. Purcell is editor, and find that
his name figures in the New York confer
ence. Now, he knows my position perfectly
we'll. wrote him an emphatic letter when
this discussion first began, telling him frank
ly that under no conceivable circumstances
would consent to the use of my name for
any Office whatsoever. Lately have taken
occasion to write him again to the same eff
feet, but with even greater emphasis. have
said before that it was unpleasant to go
about declining Offices, but am forced by
the persistency of my unwise friends to
do something still more unpleasant
to proclaim my physical infrmities. My
health is in very precarious state. 1t is an
empty compliment to tell me that look
we'll. know, unfortunately, that I do not
feel we'll. I am wholly incapable of pro
tracted 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 a
reaction, under which am often obliged to
keep my room for days together. cannot
write, except at rare intervals and for short
periods. 1t is unspeakably distasteful to me
to lvertise my sickness, but it seems neces-
sary IN order that some of my friends may
n hot T I, T
could not accept an Office under any circum-
frances. It would be an act of immortality
sor me to run for Governor, for I am not
capable of discharging the duties, and the
effort would hasten my death. After this
frank avowal, hope to be relieved from the
opportunities of ver-zealous friends
The Governor was reminded that in 1868.
when he was the Democratic candidate for
President, he seemed to gather strength
from the excitement of the campaign, and
that always in earlier life he appeared to en-
JOY himself most during the activity of q
political canvass. He unused moment and
said:
III am not now as I was then. A dozen or
twenty years sometimes add great weight
to mans life. My health was not broken
then. But as it was, ran for office much
oftener than was wise. never loved the
exercise OF power, never cared particularly
for public places, but always liked politics.
and, what is more, like politicians. They
are much-abused class. It is the fashion
to sheer at them, and think they are better
men as rule than merchants and bankers.
and other representatives of what is called
responsibility. They make more sacrifices
and do more uuselfsh work for others than
business m en- ever think of doing. They
cultivate certain chivalric sense of honor.
Even some who are naturally corrupt will
refuse the most tempting brides when the
integrity of their party is involved have
seen enough of political life to satisfy me
that it's intlue nee is elevating and not degrad-
ing. would much rather be tried by
jury of political opponents who
were acknowledged politicians, than by
jury of respectable business men who
said that they took no particular interest in
politics, but usually voted the Republican
ticket. From them should expect gross
injustice and prejudices ten times as intense
as my avowed political opponents would dis
play. The man who serves cause, il it is
not positively bad cause, is ennobled by
the service. He learns to look at men as
well as doctrines from higher standpoint
than mere personal selfshness. Hence 1
repeat tnat Ike politicians as well as poll
tics, but do not like Office.
Gov. Seymour treasures and often repeats
one OF the last remarks that Mr.. Marcy
made to him: "The most difficult duty that
politician has to perform is to retire grace
fully from the stage of public life when he is
too old to be of any further use.'' Gov.
Seymour adds: "Appreciating the truth of
this remark, l resolved to retire early; and
considering my broken health and adj
yancing years my friends have no right to
find fault with This decision.''