The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-25
THE DEMOCRATIC OUTLOOK.
uornt,o Seymour, and where he stand.

capital last week. Gov. Seymour talked with un-
usual freedom in regard to himself and his re-
lations to politics. He is clearly annoyed Mt the
persistency with which his namo Is urged for
Governor and at the evident purpose OF many
to make him candidate in spite OF himself.
:" babe farewell to public life long ago." he
snys. and am trying now to close up my per-
sonal and business affairs. that may get ready
to die. The man who will voluntarily take on
himself new and cxacting duties at the age OF
seventy must be sadly deficient in sound judR-
mcnt. or he must DO blessed with mental and
physical strength far greater than mine. 1t Ia
partly my own fault. suppose. that / cannot
make mon understand that under no circum-
stances shall I ever again be n candidate for any
Office. | consented to run for Governor in 1864
after saying that did not want tho onlce.
Whit / said was true. But / overcame my
wishes because the report had gone out that my
withdrawal wns due to my Indifference to Nc
Clellan. In 1868 had no alternative but to nc
cept Presidential nomination which did not
want or compel the widely -scattcrcd delegates
to come together and make another choice. My
weakness, or waverng. or whatever you choose
TO call IT, In those two instances. has created tho
impression that seek Office by declining 1t. l
hope to live long enough to dspel that idea. l
am deeply grateful to my Democratic friends
for the many honors they have conferred upon
me. and TO the end Of my days | will try to serve
them to the full extent of my ability. but not us
an ofIiceholder."
Nobody who knows Gov. Seymour questions
the sincerity Of his utteranccs. but all OF his
friends feel that II Is great pity that he should
withdraw himself from active public duties.
He never looked in better health than now. He
stands erect. and walks with a firm. enstic
tread. He will be 60 in May but many men at
GO look older than he. He Is the junior Of Gov.
Tilden in appearance. though his senior by four
years in actual age. His interest in political
affairs shows no signs OF abatement. He fol-
lows the course Of events with the closest ut
tention, comes frequently to Albany. visits New
York occasionally. and is ALWAYS ready to dis
cuss questions OF importance. But he seems 70
have banshed efrectually from his mind the
expectation the hope. or even the desire OF be-
ing President OF the United States To ono
who wrote to him saying. II you are elected
Governor this year you will be our candidate
for President next year" he replied: You
tell me that by getting into the frying
pan this year. l can got into the
fire next year respectfully decline
both propositions" He says 1t Is an I'M
gracious task to 20 around refusing Offices be-
fore they are offered to him. but he does not
peated this year. II Horatio Seymour were n
candidate for the Governorship. or IL he could
be induced to accept the office. It Ia doubtless
true that he would call to his support a larger
following than any other Democrat in the State.
Here. In Albany. all the recent Executive terms
are measured by tho standard OF his admins
tration. 1t Is more than fourteen years since
he retired but the memory OF his unvarying
courtesy his strict attention 20 Official duty. his
captivating eloquence. his vigorous messages.
and his statesmanlike policy remains fresh
and green. He was succeeded by Reuben E.
Fcnton. and perhaps the contrast between
the two men helped 10 increase Scymours
fame. Fenton's name is seldom mentioned
here without sheer or a smile. Those
who admire his smartncss and those who con-
denim II make substantially tho same estimate
OF his character. and one word covers it-ioxy.
Gov. Hoffman made an excellent social reputa-
ton. but his Administration is unhappily linked
with the fate OF some Of those who supported
1t. Gen. Dix was too old. and in one way or
another he was too well known to make his two
years stay here anything more than minor
incident in his later life. Mr. Tilden was loo
much absorbed In his own business aud in pub
lie affairs to give much attention TO the good
people OF Albany. and they came to believe
that he did not hold them ut the valuation which
they placed upon themselves; wherefore many
Of them. wholly apart from politics. hated him
cordially. Gov. Robinson was no stranger In
Albany when no was called to the Governors
chair. He had served three terms AS
Comptroller. beginning as far back rs
1869. and he entered on his new trust
with No perceptible change Of habits or
manners Thus it happens that there has
been no Governor since Horatlo Scymour's
tme u eclipse the large social and political
reputation which he established. What Albany
thinks Of man is not OF much Importance To
the State at large-in the summer. But in the
winter. whom multitude OF politicians as
semblc here to interchange opinions. and to
carry home tho Impressions they receive. the
influence OF the capital is not to be ignored. 1t
is quite impossible to spend even a day here
without discovering that the current Of feeling
sets more strongly toward Gov seymour now
than ever before. Nor is his popularity con-
fined TO the Democratic party. The Republic
cans, almost without exception. speak Of him
in the most latering terms and some OF them
~ So far AS to declare that II he were the DEM
ocratic candidate for President they would sun
port him, MS against Grant or any OF tie
Grant school Of politicians. But when Gov
Srymour's attention was called to these utter
ances he said: " II mems simply that the
hrpuhllcHnS NaNe accepted in good faith my
announced determination not to seek or accept
an onlre They are willing to treat me now
with tho same consideration that they treat
other private citizens. overlooking my mistakes
and praisng that which seems 10 merit praise
Those who strive for power must pay tho pen
atty which attaches to its possession. II in my
retirement | can advocate what appears to me
TO be the truo principles Of government. with
ont provoking tho wrath OF our opponents il is
m additional reason why should not destroy
that opportunity for usefulness For it is un-
doubleday true that the kindly fcelng which
you say exists toward me would Immediately
vanish II were tn appear MS an oflcc seeker
But this talk savors Of egotsm. 1t is enough TO
say that am getting to be nm old man. and that
in choosing private station I havo tried to
consult the public welfare MS well as my own
tastes. BE that as it may. however. the choice
is rrevocable."
Notwithstanding tho clearness with which
Gov. Seymour defines his position it is impos-
sible To divert public attention from him. Gov.
Robinson's present strength makes it evident
to his Democratic opponents that If they are TO
defeat his renomnntion they must rally around
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