The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-10
THE DEMOCRATIC OUTLOOK.
A Talk with HorntIo Scvmour-V WHY he Posi-
lively Declines Odice.

| New YORK last saturday To urge ms nomination
Ms Gov Robinson's successor. lie said: " am
at Il loss to understand the meaning Of this talk.
and of these PROCEEDINGS | found THE SuNs
hitter copied into the Rochester Union. ofwhich
Mr.. Purcell ia editor and find that his name
figures in tho New York conference. Now hc
knows my position perfectly well. | wrote him
an emphatic letter whom this discussion first
began. telling him frankly 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 effect but with
even greater emphasis. have said before that
It was unpleasant 10 30 about declining offices.
hut | am forced 10y the pcrsistcncy of my I'M
wise friends to do something still more I'M
plcasant-to proclaim my physical innrmitice.
NY health Is in r very precarious state II il
an empty compliment to tell nue. that look well.
| know. unfortunately. that do not feel well.
am wholly incapable Of protracted exerton Of
any sort. An animated conversation will some
times flush my face and give me. perhaps. the
appearance Of strength but that is usually fol-
lowed by reaction under which am often
obliged to keep my room for days together.
cannot write. except at rare intervals and for
short periods. IL Is unspeakably dstastefu to
me TO advertise my sickness. but il seems neces-
sary in order that some Of my friends may UNI
derstand what i mean when | say that
could not accept an office under any circum-
stances. II would be an act Of immortality for
me to run for Governor. for am not capable Of
discharging the duties. and the effort would
hasten my death. After this frank avowal. I
hope to be relieved from the opportunities Of
ovcr-zenous friends"
The Governor was reminded that in 1868.
when no was tho Democratic candidate for
President no seemed to gather strength from
the excitement Of the campaign and that al
ways in earlier lif9 he appeared to enjoy him
self most during the activity OF n political can
vass. He muscd moment aud said:
i am not now as | was then. dozen or
twenty years sometimes add great weight to n
mans life. My health was not broken then.
But rs it was ran for Office much oitener than
wns wise. never loved the exercise Of power
never cared particularly for public places but
always liked politics and what IL more, / like
politicians. They are n much abused class. II
is tho fashion to sneer at them. but think they
are better men as rule than merchants and
bankers and other representatives OF what is
called responsibility. They make more sacri-
fees and do more unselnsh work for others
than business men ever think Of doing. They
cultivate certain ohivalrc scnse Of honor.
Even some who are naturally corrupt will re-
fuse the most tempting brides when the integ-
rity OF their party is involved. 1 have seen
enough OF political life to satisfy me that its in
lucnco is elevatinG and not degrading would
much rather be tried by Jury Of my political
opponents who were acknowledged politicians.
than by a jury OF respectable business men who
said that they took no particular interest in poll
itics. but usually voted the Republican ticket
From them should expect gross injustice aud
prejudice ten times as intense as my avowcd
political opponents would display. The man
who serves n cause. IL it is not n positively bad
cause, is ennobled by tho service. lie learns to
look at men. as we'll as doctrines from higher
standpoint than mere personal selnshness.
Hence | repeat that like politicians rs we'll as
politics but do not like oll.e.
Tho duties Of the Governor Of New York +"
continued Mr. Seymour. are exceedingly oncr-
Gus. In tho matter Of pardons. 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 in
nocent wives mothers. and children of those
who have offended against the laws. some
times. when Twas Governor. these pitoous cries
were irresistible and | extended clemency in
certain cases where strict justice. perhaps
would have withheld IL. But could bear the
criticism OF tho press for | was hardened to
that more cas lIy than could the tears Of women
and little children And whom WINS obligoJ T.,
refuse pardons tas was. Of course in t,e front
majority OF cnscsl have nass,d many sI,sr-
less night communicating the niserv which in
clnation tented me TO relieve whom dntv for
babe. The Governors of,ice is M sina,rre 10
stand the wear and tear and worry NJ tho ,,Iaco
man wants TO be in full mental and rb,sicai
vigor-which mn not"
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