St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-17
GOV. sEYMoUR's FUNERAL.

One of the purest men who has been
identified with American politics for the last
half century was laid to rest yesterday at
Utica. The Sage of Deerfeld died ''amid
the largest homage of public esteem" as
the Sage Of GreystOne so fifty said of him
in his letter of coincidence to the family.
There was never man in public station
who so universally possessed the love and
esteem of his countrymen as HoRATIo
SEYMOUR did. And there was never a man
more worthy of their love and esteem.
Gov. SEYMOUR was not politician in
the ordinary sense of the term. He
knew nothing of the tricks and
devices of the politicians, and cared
less for them than he knew. He did
not possess the temperament for a success
full partisan. He was a philosopher who
took a broad and comprehensive view of
whatever subject was brought TO his atten-
ton. He was Democrat because care
ful study of the science of government led
him to the conclusion that Democratic prin-
ciples were the best aud safest to found
governmental institutions upon. Although
he was a Democrat of the most pronounced
type the constitution of his mind made it
impossible for him to be a partisan. His
temper was more of the judicial than political
turn, and he looked at subject from every
point of view. Although he was honored
by his party friends with the highest dis
tinction that they could confer upon him,
still he was a man absolutely devoid of
political ambition. lie never lost interest
in his party, and was always ready and
willing to contribute to its success, yet at
the same time he seemed TO have an aver
sion to having special prominence given to
himself. The nomination for the presi-
! dency was forced upon him in opposition to
his continued protests. Notwithstanding
he was the candidate of the minority party
and was opposed by man who was
the nations hero. and whose sword was
recently flushed with the most magnificent
victories of wars annals, it is a singular
illustration of Gov. SEYMoURs popu-
larity with the American people that, in
the face OF all these adverse circumstances,
he polled nearly 5000, 900 of the popular
vote, and less than 800, 900 below the vote
recorded for Gen. GRANT.
Although he was made the victim of base
partisan malice, he retired from the presi-
dental contest of 1868 without having
made single personal enemy, and with the
respect and admiration of the whole Amer
lean people. The hold that he had on pub
lie confidence was never interrupted
until the day of his death. If Gov. SEY-
MoUR had fault it was his excessive amia-
bility. 1t was because of his inability to
be unpleasant that an amiable phrase that
escaped him In addressing the New York
rioters during the war was caught up and
exaggerated by Republican partlsans for the
purpose of casting suspicion of disloyalty
on the statesman's record. And this was
done, too, in the face of public acknOwl-
edgement from President LINCOLN and
Secretary STANTON, testifying to the valu-
able services rendered by Gov. SEYMOUR at
the time Pennsylvania was invaded by
LEES army. Such is the malignity of par
tisan spirit in this country that the purest
fail to escape its poisoned shafts.
Although Gov. SEYMOUR is dead and
buried, the influence of his life will live
after him. 1t is impossible to shut it up in
the grave. The example and influence he
leaves behind will enrich the minds and
form the judgments of those who are to
come after him. The purity of his life, the
strength and vigor of his intellectual work.
his devoted patriotism, his public spirit and
his freedom from the faint of sordid in
terest are so much added treasure to the
nations wealth.