Year: 1868

Lecture by Mr.. Hooper G. Van Worst Before


the National Club.


The National Club, OF New York city, met last
evening at It's rooms, No. 80 Union square, to hear
lecture from Mr. Hooper G. Van Worst upon the life
and Public Services OF General Grant" General
Anthon presided, and introduced the lecturer by
saying that the old theory or principles and not
men being most essential in the administration OF
republican government permitted OF the improve
ment that principles and men combined as in the
instance Of General Grant and the doctrines Of re-
publlcanism gave more tangible prospect OF the per-
petuity OF the democratic form OF government.


Mr. Van Worst began by saying:-Tn the order OF
events the election OF Washington TO I'LL the Office OF
Chief Magistrate was political necessity. This
result was produced not so much by the
fitness OF Washington as by the sense Of
gratitude which 1ed the mind Of the country
In regard to the services he had rendered the repub
lie. washington was eminently fortunate in the Sc
lection Of his Cabinet oicers. The learned John Jay
was appointed to the Supreme Court; the astute and
comprehensive mind Of Hamilton presided over the
financial interests Of the nation. The conditions Of
aspects. In the recent struggle, II the rebels had
succeeded the vitality le and greatness Of the re-
tuition there had been great discourageme and
mems hearts had often failed tnsm and there were
as
Of peace and foes Of the national aspiration
who discouraged tn the struggle for liberty: Then as
TO Wasnineton 10 the hour Of darkness and disaster
fused or withstood the can Of his country; the cleo
ton Of Wsshingto%n NV was unanimous. Why should
Grants Is sa thers
States that WIN refuse h their electoral votes but
these az wSr sSsm and
Grant would become the sole unanimous choice Of q
grateful people; II s true rue that Grant does not as
been nominated; IL is true he has made no efort to
IT. 1t s true he has told several OF his leading
the voice ofthe country demands that he should nj it,
as as the voice OF the country demanded washington.
the Lecturer here drew distinction between The
said there were prominent points Of correspondence
between them. In the far future he believed they
would form the two most conspicuous marks In the


The opponent Of Grant in this contest was man
nor patriotic reputation, and performed service
OF moment for the nation. ne has not personally ex.
% his COUNTY, " Wat has 81 he done % mSeRsd
character In the civic line, where II ia claimed for
him BY his supporters that he acted d;sslngushed
great public questions agitated the public mind,
when the servle bondage Of grearmass Of his fell
feelings Of all the friends Of humanity and freedom
throughout the world. Yet It ts not recorded that
y ee Sas Hoo





ever performed for the country. He stands now on
q platform In direct opposition to the views ne is
known 10 have expressed In reference to the nnan-
cal issues before the nation What has Horatlo Sey
mour ever said the question slavery as he ever
expressed any dlsapprobati0n Of the Fugitive Slave
law or the bred Scott decison' It is recorded Of
him after the breaking out Of the rebellion that he
countenanced the form OF constitution adopted by
the Confederate government at Montgomery, Ala.
In 1888 when the bloody three days riots broke out
the part Of guardian OF the public safety but he left
the city several days previous and LEFT f to its fate
We do not object to the expression OF my riendso
addressed 70 2 mob Of rioters but we hold that he
IL Justly TO blame for the glaring exhibition he dis
played Of want of craftsmanship In permitting the
turbulence OF . mob to rule the chief city OF the
Union for three entire days.


Again, in 1884, he was an advocate OF the Chicago
resolutions intended TO dispirit the people and
dampen the ardor OF the people. He supported the
platform OF Mcclellan and Pendleton, declaeing the
war was failure, and his executive experience In
qlcates that Mr.. Seymour s hating, wanting and
Undecided and that he has shown he possesses no
such love OF country, no such appreciation OF the
national instincts as one Offering himself for the po-
sitIon Of Chief Magistrate should possess.


The election OF Governor Seymour will make
treason respectable; the election Of Grant will not
Governor Seymour could only consent to save his
country through bis party. 0ranl has no party; he
was always prepared to move upon the enemy's
works, whoever the enemy might be, for the COM
mon good OF his country and for the greatness and
glory the unity and inseparable permanence Of the
republic.