The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-13
Biographical,

daga county, N. Y, May 81, 1910, edu-
Gated az Geneva New Hobart) Col
lege, N. Y, and the Military Academy
at Middlstown, CT. studied law under
the late Chief Justice Bronson; was
admitted to the Oneida bar at Utica,
and entered at once upon successful
practice. In lS4l he was elected a
member OF the Legislative Assembly,
and held the position till lS4b, being
then elected Spt aker of the Assembly,
For the next five years his party were
in the ministry, In 1850 Mr.. Seymour
was nominated unsuccessfully for
Governor OF the Sats at Utica. He
was renomiuatad in 1852, aud elected
by q large majority. During his term
of Office he vetoed the prohibitory
liquor bill, popularly known as the
"Maine Law" which had passed both
houses OF the Legislature, aud this act
brought down upon him storm OF in
dignation which caused his defeat at
the election OF 1854. He returned 10
private life, and endeavored for the
seven wears tha. followed to heal the
divisions in his party. In 1862 he was
again nominated for the Governor
ship OF New York, in opposition b
Gen. Wadswoith, and after keen
contest de feated the Republican can
didate. Gov. Seymour took his seat
January l, 1868, and adopted very
conservative line Of policy. On the
outbreak OF the Civil War, when the
invasion of Pennsylvania took place,
in June, 1858, he promptly forwarded
more than tho. quota Cf militia re-
quired by thJGoveTnor Ct that State,
though he sorely offended the Repub-
lican party by his opposition TO the
co inscription bill passed by Congress,
which gave the President power to
call out for military service all able
bodied men between the ages OF
eighteen and forty-five. The popular
opposition to the conscription was go
violent IN New York that it gave rise
to series OF riots, during which more
than 10000 soldiers OF the regular
army, besides a large militia force,
had been concentrated in and around
the city. Previously to the outbreak,
in which the Irish Democrats took q
prominent Part, grave apprehensions
OF q serious collision between the
State of New York and the Federal
Government had been entertained at
Washington. But when the riots
took place Gov. Seymour, seeing that
the supreme power must be obeyed
at all hazards, used his utmost exer-
tions to allay the fearful storm pro-
voked by the conscription. The peace
Democrats wished him 10 act in such
way as to emharlass the govern
ment, which he could net have done
without taking part with the rioters,
and tha. would have been an overt
act OF rebellion. At the expiration of
his term ofservice. he retired to private
life, and was not again q candidate for
public honors until July, 1868, when
he vas nominated by the National
Democratic Convention for President
OF the United States, but he was de.
feated by Gen. Grant at the election
Of November OF that year. When the
great effort was made in 1871 to purify
the politics OF New York from the
corruption into which they had fallen,
Ex.Gov. Seymour consented to be-
come a candidate for the Legislature
from one OF the New York districts, in
opposition to one OF the corrupt can
didates Of the ring, but was defeated,
since which time he has taken no
active part in politics, but has given
his attention TO his private affairs.
Eis only publications are number OF
public addresses and speeches and
several Stats papers.