The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-02-20
Ffom fIarpers syeekly.l
! ross1aLn DEnoenArlo cAND.pATE.

opponents are sometimes able to see
each others position clearly, and noth-
ing seems to be palmer TO Republicans
than that the available Presidential
candidate for tho Democrats is Horatio
Seymour, if he can be persuaded to ac.
cept nomination. There are various
oliques and factions in the Democratic
party known by tho names of Demo.
cratic leaders, but the one Democrat
who receives universal homage from
his party is MIR. Seymour. This is
largely owing to the fact that since his
defeat in the Presidential election twelve
years ago he has withdrawn from active
politics, and has been conspicuous solely
for the efficient performance of those
duties of good citizen which do not
provoke party prejudice. When he
withdrew he was the most prominent
Democrat in the Union, and while. dur
ing his political pasivity Of dozen
years, the bitterness of his political op-
ponents has been wholly modified, the
Geree dissensions within his own party
in the State have left him wholly un-
touched. Mr.. Tilden, Chief Justice
Church, Senator Herman, Judges Com
stock and Parker, John Kelly, Gov.
ernor Robinson, have been all involved
in the feuds, but the one New York
Democrat whose national reputation
oyesshadows that of all of them has
placidly meditated at Deerield, like
Sir William Temple at Sheen, devoted
to agrietural and historical and charita-
ble interests, declining to be Senator or
Governor, but speaking wisely from
time to time to stimulate the study Of
the State annals, to advance tho stand.
ard Of general education, to swaken
the prisoner to selfrespect, and to re-
mind the farmer of his true position
and advantage.
Since Mr.. Seymour's firm resistance
to the attempt of the State Convention
of his party in 1876 to coerce him into
the candidacy for the oliico of Governor,
it has been generally understood that
he would adhere resolutely to his deter
mination to remain in retirement. We
have no doubt that such is still his
wish and purpose. But it is always
possible that if his party could persuade
him that his candidacy is necessary for
"the safety of the country" which is
the latest fashion of urging eandinaey,
he might yield consent to succor repub-
lican institutions II Is of course pos
sible, also, that Dir Seymour does not
believe that the safety OF our institu-
tions depends upon him or upon any
other eitizsn. But If it can be shown
to him that he is the Democrat sahose
nomination offers tbs party the hest
chance Of success, be may again con.
slider 1t to be his duty to acquiesce. 1t
might not be difficult to show him this
| probability. The important Democratic
candidates are not many. There is Mr.
1'ilden, but Mr.. Tilden would be de-
feated in New York by Democratic
votes His nomination would be a
Democratic surrender. Mr. BAyard Is
sans Teproehs as a man and Democrat,
bat ths Tillsn clique is jealous Of him,
and the Western Dsmocrats OF the
Ohio ider are hostile to SO steady a
hard-money man. General Hancock, a
brave and distinguished Union soldier,
would undoubtedly loso an important
vote by the sarrats cllamny. Mr.
Hendricks can be hardly considered a
serious candidate, and Dir. Thurman
has disappeared. Now to all those
Democrats to whom for some reason
each of the gentlemen we have named
would bs Objectionable, Mr. Seymour
would be most acceptable IL i, an
other important consideration in his
favor that he would be very much
stronger in the essential State of New
York than any other Democrat. What
Democrats in this State most fear Is
some kind of occult understanding, not
a distinct or specific bargain, between
the Republican machine and Mr.. John
Kelly continuation of the anity Of
the last election-by which it would
happen that tie municipal power oI
Dir. Kelly would be undisturbed, while
the Democratic vote in the city would
be conveniently reduced. But were
Dir. Seymour the Democratic candidate
the party enthusiasm would give him {
great vote in the city as well as in the
State, and, however disasreeable it may
be for Republicans to say or to hear,
there are many Independents and
Republicans also who would vote 70.
Mr. ses mour as against some proni
nent Republicans who are mentioned
for the nomination.
These are considerations so obvious
that they viii occur undoubtedly t.
many Democrats, and they will bscom,
stronger as the canvass proceeds. TIL
ground Of onnoaition TO Mr.. Seumnn,