New-York tribune., 1886-02-13
SKETCH OE His CAREER.

HOratO Seymour, the most popular Democrat Of
his time, was born May 81, 1910, at Pompey OnOn-
daga County, NewYork-a hamlet in what was
then almost wilderness. The site of the present
city of Syracuse was a swamp, and the boy IN his
early years saw something re esemblng frontier life.
He came of Connecticut stock, and his ancestry
were distinguished and patriotic on both sides.
Both the Seymours and FOrmals. his mothers
family. did excellent service III the Revolutionary
War; Colonel ForDan, his mothers father. sacriiic-
ing all his property in aid of the patriot The
SeymouIs have been prominent ID public
life. HoratIo Seymour, rnce of the sub
ject of this sketch, was United States
Senator from Vermont for twelve years 1921 -'33.
Origen :. Seymour for many years prominent IN
Connecticut as Judge, Speaker of the state House
and member of Congress, relative of iloratIo.
Thomas H. Seymour, once Governor of COnnecti-
cut and Minister to Russia AMI sometimes sug-
gested for the Democratic nomination for the
PresdenoT, was a cousin and classmate OF horatio.
General Seymour, OF the Unted states Army. was
another relative As the lineal descendant of Col
Onel Forman, Governor Seymour became a member
of the Society of the Cincinnati. His father. Henry
Seymour was a colleague OF Dewitt Clinton in the
Canal Commission, and exercised a marked in
tueuce in political affairs.
As a boy. Seymour was weak aud sickly and so
made slow progress in his studies, a. first He re-
ceiyed the ruliments Of his education in an acad-
envy which the pioneers of Onondag "a County built
with money raised for that purpose By mortgaging
their lands. His parents moved 10 Utica when he
was nine years old. AT ten he went TO the Oxford
Academy then of the best schools in the State,
and later TO the Geneva College. aftcrward Hobart.
When he was fifteen his father, thinking it might
benefit his health, sent hm TO the MiddetOwn
Military Academy, where he much strength
ened aud improved by the military exercises and
acquired that peculiar erectnesS OF carriage which
often struck observers in after life as exceptional
in a civilian. An interesting incident of his stay
at the academy was a visit to Washn JtOn paid by
all the students iu uniform. HoratiO Seymour.
the elder. was then in the Senate, and his
young nephew had exceptional opportunities for
seeing aud talking with Clay, Calhoun, President
Adams. John Randolph and other famous men OF
that day. The visit made deep impression on tho
mind of the sixteen-year-od boy, which was IN
creased by his going with his father some years
afterward TO the Baltimore Convention which
renominated Jackson. This met in a church, which
was about half filed. This attendance az the birth
of the National Convention system IN the Demo-
cratic party was an incident of great interest TO
Seymour who often described the gathering in his
talk. From Baltimore he went With his father 10
Washington and they dined with Jackson, who
Meantime HoratiO had begun to study law under
Greene c. bronson and Samuel Beardsley, both dis
tingushed as jursts About the time h. was admit
ted to the bar, however. he married Miss Mary
Bleecker, of Albany an accomplished lady who
continued his companion through life, and the care
of her property and of his own modest fortune 0c-
cupicd so much of his time that he never entered
active practice.
His public life began with his appointment as
military secretary to Governor Marcy. Martin Van
Buren, is said to have seen, with his keen eye, the
valuable qualities in the young man, and the APP
pointment was made at his instance. The place is
peculiarly confidential Seymour held it during
Marcys three terms, 1s33-'39, and close friend
ship was formed between the two which was never
shaken The political experience and knowledge
of State affairs acquired in this position was
the best possible preparation for the career which
was to follow. ln lS4l be was elected to the As
sembly by large majority and at once too, q
prominent place In the body. His fascinating ad-
dress, his kindly nature. his natural tendency 70
cancellation and compromise, hls readiness anu
even eloquence in debate, were quaIiIes 70 aah1
him strong in a legislative body. Levi 3 Chatheid,
who was chosen Speaker, John a. PIX, John a.
we're among his colleagues ia the Assembly of lS42.
He was elected Mayor OF Utiealn that year and
to e sas oysor ans
sifon. it,m aud the division, OF the Demo
cratic party DetNeeU Datn-
hurnersD began. Mr.. Seymour used all his
influence to stay dissenson, warning the party OF
ticsns were Indifferent t. hls predictions because
the party seemed irresstibly strong alter the eiec
tion OF Polk. but they soon them fulhed in the
division of he PAL and its defeat both uNew-lork
aud ia the National contest which resulted IN Cen
eral laylors election. He was urged tor Speaker
in the Legislature of 1874, being then not quite
thirty -four years of age but did notaiow his name
to be used. In 1s45 he was brought forward by tue
/" "Hunkers1 with whom he had become Identified,