The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-02-14

that liberal pension would be voted to Mrs. Han
cock, for Il is known that she will need it, since her
own property In st. Louis left her by her mother is
in such a condition that II Yields her no income
whatever General and Mrs. Hancock had innu-
merable and incessaN demands made upon them
for contributions to charities TO which they always
responded most generously. Living so near New
York, they had much company daily, and had to en-
tertain great deal. Though they never lived ex-
travagantly, they were always ready 10 receive
with hospitality. Representative Beach, OF New
York, said on Thursday that he only objected
TO General Bingham's bill which he wished
to introduce on Thursday 10 give Mrs
Hancock pension because he thought all such
bills should be introduced on Mondays, and that his
objection was made before he knew the nature Of
that one. lie added that he was warm friend OF
General Hancock, and would, OF course, advocate
giving his widow generous pension. Representa-.
tatve Holman said on the morning of that day that
he had no doubt that Congress would provide we'll
for Mrs. Hancock AMI thought II should be done.
General 1efevre said that he had offered the bill
for the widow OF General George II. Thomas, and he
thought that gave her 5000 per annum and that OF
couse, Mrs Hancock ought to have the same Rcp.
resentatlve Bingham, Of Pennsylvania, who was on
General Hancocks stan during the war, and met the
lady he subsequently married when stationed with
General Hancock In Baltimore. had always been
greatly attached to him, and 1t is remembered that
on the evening Of March 5, 1851, General and Mrs
Bingham gave a party in honor OF General Hancock,
who had come here to attend Presiden, Garaelds
Inauguration.
TIE family from which Governor seymour sprang
mas been for many generations prominent In Con-
nectlcut. His father, Henry Seymour, removed
from Litchfeld County, in that State, to Onondaga
County, N. " in the early years Of the century, and
became successful country merchant. He held
death, and had been identified with the construction
OF the New York canals from their commencement
In 1917. His brother, Borato Seymour, who had
emigrated to Vermont, was United States Senator
from that State during the administrations Of Monroe
and Adams. on the death Of his father Governor
Seymour withdrew from the practice OF the law to
take charge Of his paternal estate and the large
landed interests in Utica OF Mr. John b. Bleecker
Albany, whose daughter he married. From his ear
Hest youth he was noted for excellence In all the
virtues which adorn humanity for devotion to his
church, his family and his frends-for integrity,
fair dealing, and determination to allow the poor
man chance to rise Ia the world. At the
age OF thirtynve he was Speaker Of the Assembly.
AT the age OF forty he the Democratic candidate
for Governor OF New York, and defeated by only
300 majority by Washington Hunt. Two years later he
was elected Governor, and again In 1862 over Gen.
eral James S. wadsworth In 1865, as candidate
for the Presidency, he carried New York by 10000
majority over General Grant. Had he been cand
date in 1850 he would also have carried New York
and been elected to the Presidency. His last polit
| cal address WAS made in October Of that year Ii
ChicSering Hall, New York, In further rance Of the
election OF General Hancock-a powerful and intel
esting speech before a remarkably brilliant audi
ence little over ave years ago; and now the gal
liant Hancock and his noble panegyrist are both a
rest!
That man admirably fitted for public life shoul,
never have been elected to either House OF Congress
has been source of surprise to residents of othe
States than New York. The explanation
easy. Governor Seymour, after the division
in the Democratic party in his own State
| was needed at home as candidate for the efflce O
Governor. lie could not well be spared. During tb
| war the Oneida district became thoroughly Reput
llcau and so remained until Governor Seymour's re
tirement from public life and, since the election Q
Hamilton Fish to the United States Senate, in lss
the complexion ofthe New York Legislature has pre-
vented the election of any Democrat to the uppe
House OF Congress, except in 1874, when Governo
Seymour declined the honor, which was conferre
on Mr. Herman. Notwithstanding his defeat
ls6s there has been no Presidential election sine
that year that Governor Seymour would have no
been the Democratic candidate had he not refuse
to allow his name to be presented to the convention
for the Democratic people had unbounded and pei
ennial faith In his PATRIOTISM Integrity, and trus
worthlness.
Governor Seymour was especially for tunate in h
marriage, for a more admirable wife or a MOI
lovely and sympathetic companion falls to the lot
very few. Free from the sometime distractn
cares OF children, her whole life has been devote
to the welfare of her husband; adorning his publ
life with charming grace and dignity, and cheerin
him in retirement and iil-hsaltl with assiuous an