The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-02-19

li6 atbOhhiph w iio B'psN'ciO'' ,"e
his fellow-ctizens were unwilling tc
consent to his permanent retirement
and in 1862 he was again forced into
public life. 1t was in the early period
of the Civil War and the people insist
ed on the wisest and best men coming
to the front. Thus moved in great
emergency Governor Seymour was
dragged from the seclusicn into which
he had withdrawn, by the Democrats
of his native State, and nominated for
Governor The Republican candidate
was General Wadsworth. The pas
sions of war had infamed men and
the contest that ensued was unexampled
for bitterness and energy. But Mr..
Seymour was elected and was inau-
gurated on the 1st of January, 1868.
AT no time in the history of the
country was there so much need OF
great ability, sublime patriotism and
unhinching courage as during the term
of office that succeeded. Governor
Seymour was equal to every emergency
that confronted him. When the Con.
federate army invaded Pennsylvania,
and directed its course toward Harris
burg, the call for aid on Governor Sey-
mour was responded to with n ready
alacrity and promptness that had a
marked influence in turning the tide
against the invaders at Gettysburg.
In fact he sent more than Governor
Curtin asked for, and the response was
so swift and effective that it served to
strengthen the spirits of the despairing
Pennsylvanians who seemed already to
have abandoned hope.
1t was during this year also that the
draft riot occurred in New York City
and in that trying emergency Governor
Seymour manifested not only his de-
votion to the cause in which the count
ry was engaged but his great mastery
over men. The enforcing of the Con
script act of Congress had proved {
riot that threatened to devastate The
city. Men were wild. The military
was invoked to subjugate them, and
that only intensified their passions
When the outbreak was at its height
and the property of the city in peril o
destruction, Goyernor Seymour appear
ed on the scene. He took no heed O
his personal safety, sought no councils
from personal fear, but put himself il
the midst of the mob and by his mag
netic eloquence stayed the surgine
mass of maddened men, led them bach
to their homes, and restored tranquility
and order. 1t was most remarkable
consummation. 1t exemplified the be
nign influence of kindness even undel
the most adverse circumstances. L
saved the city, prevented carnage ant
bloodshed, and removed one of th'
greatest dangers that menaced thi'
country during the war. For this
great act of heroism President Lincoll
personally thanked Governor Seymour
He likewise thanked him over bis owl
signature for his promptness in send
ing troops to Pennsylvania to repel the
invading army of Lee.
In 1868 Governor Seymour wa
nominated for the President Of th'
United States by the Democratic Con
vention which assembled in Tamman,
Hall, New York, on the Fourth of Jul,
of that year. Everybody remember
the extraordinary incidents of that con
vention. 1t was in session five day
and several times threatened to dissolv
without accomplishing the work fo
which it was called. Governor Sey
mour presided. George II. Pendleton
Winfield Scott Hancock, who wa
buried last Saturday Thomas II. Her
dricds, whose honored grave is not ye
green, Joel Parker, of New Jersey
James X. Doolittle, of Wisconsin an,
Asa Packer were voted for. Pendle
ton had the majority of the conventio
on several ballots but was unable t
get the necessary thirds. On tn
fifth day at the opening of the conver
ton Pendleton's name was withdraw
and on the twentieth ballot, the secon
of the day, Hancock received l42 l..
votes: Another ballot was taken will
out result. Several efforts had bee
made previously to get Governo
Seymour to consent to the use of hi
name, but he refused. Finally Geuer:
McCook voted the OHIO delegation fc
him. Mr.. Seymour protested that
couldn't accept the nomination, thoug
with unconccaled emotion he thsnke
the convention for the comp'imen
Mr.. Vallandigham said: SIN times c
: great exigency and calamity ever
personal consideration should be ca.
! aside He insisted that Governt
Seymour must yield to the Admin
/ tration in his behalf Ohio's vote mu
7 and should stand for Horatio Seymou
One after another, the other STATE
followed, and at the close of the ballo
Seymour was nominated unanimousl
The contest was unexampled
bitterness and activity. The oppositio
8 candidate was General Grant, and Il
d bitterness of the war was invoked
turn the tide which in the early perio
e of the contest seemed to be decided
u in favor of the Democlaiic candidat
u Tie New York Herald, a Grant pap
+, gave up the contest month before Il
n election, but a week before the vol
o the New York World with treache
e that has not been equaled since uni
; Its recent betrayal of its party in Il
interest of the Bell Telephone mon
poly turned against the candidate al
precpitated defeat The result of 4
ballot was that Grant received 3,0l,
OH votes, and 2l4 votes in the Ele
i tral College, while Seymour got 2,7O'
: 623 votes and II of the Electoral c.
lege.
Since that time Governor Seymo
has been living at his home in Utic
4 an honored citizen enjoying the retir
" ment which he had earned by mate
:. less services TO his kind and countI
- Five years ago he was drawn to 4
= edge of the grave by an attack simil
:, to the malady which has now prov
fatal.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
g IFrom our Regular Correspondent