The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-02-23
Death of Hon. Horntio Seymour.

UREA, N. Y, February l2-Ex-Gov.
ernor Seymour died at 10 o'clock TO-
night at the residence Of his sister Mrs
Roscoe Conkling. He began to fail per.
ceptihly a. 4 o'clock this afternoon
Shortly sflerward he rallied little, but
aoon relaps-d-into total Inconsistencies.
During his illness he experienced little
il any phvsicial suffering and to-day he
was wholly without pain. Mrs. Sey
mour. who is very III, sat with her hus.
band the afternoon.
Most Of the time the ex Governor
rested peacefully and bis condition could
only be distinguished from natural sleep
hv the ashen psllor Of his countenance
aud bis labored breathing. At half past
8 he was sinking rapidly, his pnlse could
scarcely be counted and the respiration
was more difficult. He expired without
a struggle aud as peacefully as II falling
asleep.
The beginning Of Governor Seymour's
physical ailments dates from sun stroke
which befell him In the summer OF 1876
while he was OF work on the roads OF his
town as path master. an Office which he
WAS won. 10 say he had asked for The
immediate cause OF his death was cere.
bral effusion, the usual process OF death
in old age.
SKETCH or HIS CAREER.
The death of Horatio Seymour re-
moves another Democrat OF the Jack
sonian type and man who for many
wears was the recognized leader OF that
party. The son Of New Englsnder
who had settled in Western New York.
he was born in Ononjaga county. He
received what was at that time, consid-
cred q liberal education, and folio wing
his natural inclinations studied law, be-
ing admitted to the bar in 1889. His
career as a lawyer was from the fret Q
most successful one, and while still q
young man Mr. Seymour also became
prominent in political circles. He was
sent to the State Legislature in l8a2, and
displayed abilities Of 50 high On order
that in year be was INSIDE Speaker OF
tina: body, holding that position until
1845.
The promotion from Speaker to Gov.
ernor was natural and easy one. In
1850 Mr. Seymour was ma ie the candi-
date OF bis party, heing defeated by
narrow majority after most exciting
contest He was nominated two years
later AID elected by an overwhelming
majority. Always man OF strong con-
victions and clearly defined ideas, be
signslized bis first term as Governor by
vetoing a sweeping prohibition law.
which he regarded as an unjust encroach.
ment upon the private rights Of citizens
After events showed that his objections
we're we'll taken, but strong temperance
feeling at that time existed in New York
and his veto caused hir defeat when he
vas again the candidate OF his party in
1856.
Sill his course as Governor was of
such wise and conservative character
that it attracted national attention, aud
in the same year that he was defeated
Tor Governor he was Appointment, though
unsuccessful candidate for the Demo.
cratic nomination for President. For the
next six years he took no active port 10
politics, although slwavs an influential
member OF his party. The events OF the
war, however, again brought him to the
front, and in 1852 he was once more
made the Democratic candiiste for Gov
ernor OF New York. HIS opponent was
General Wadsworth. strong man, and
the cause which he led seemed a hope
less one. But he threw himself into the
fight with all the earhestness and ability
at his command, and aidel by bis popu.
larity with.all classes, he won remark.
abe victory, defeating the Republican
candidate by majority running into the
thousands. As War Governor Of New
York, be aided new lustre to bis fame
as public man. He supported the war
policy OF President Lincoln with tireless
put down the famous riots
in New York CITY with firm hand, and
when Lee invaded Pennsylvania, he
promptly forwarded more than the quota
OF militia required of New York TO repel
the rebel invasion. a
Agsin his nane loomed up as Presi
Dental candidate and at the Democratic.
National Convention held In New York
in 1868. was unanimou ously and amid the
greatest enthusiasm made the standard
hearer OF his party. The g ght which he
made was q gallant one, bat the odds
we're overwhelmingly against him and
General Grant was elected After his
defeat for the Presidency Mr. Seymour
voluntarily retired from public life and
although in 1915 he was tendered the
nomination for Governor Of New York.
in the most 1a,tering manner. be persist
emily and firmly refused to again become
a candidate for any office.
Mr.. Seymour was statesman OF the
Jeffersonisn type. whose private life was
as spotless as his public career was hon.
orable. Wise. conservative, sagscious.
his Influence upon his time was beneficial
and far.reaclling. Retiring from public
life while still in full possession Of his
matchless powers. be has for many years
been revered and honored figure In
the history Of his partv the position oc-
cupied by the Sage Of Deer6eld, will fall
but little below that Of the Sage of Mon.
ticello. =