Year: 1863




We give below the material portions ol
John Van Buren's speech at the great Union
meeting in New York, Friday evening March
6. 1t was delivered with its usual eloquence
and power He said of


THE LATE GUBERSAToRIAL ELECTION IN NEW


YORK.


l desire to call your attention to the posi-
ton assumed here on the 18th Of October
last. when we were about to enter upon a po-
litical campaign such as the constitution and
laws authorize previous to the regular election
in November of each year. Two candidates
had been nominated for Governor. One was
Mr. Wadsworth, and the other Mr. Seymour;
the friends of Mr.. Seymour assembled here
to ratify his nomination, and to take such
measures as he deemed expedient to promote
his election. was invited to be present and
address them-for three years previous 7 had
never any where addressed my fellow-citi-
zens, as during that time my health had been
such as to preclude the possibility of my do
ing so; on that occasion I took the liberty of
stating what were the views that I entertain
ed in reference to the condition of the coun-
try. said that in entering into this contro-
versy, there were many who, had no doubt,
would agree with me in being governed sole
ly by one consideration in following out what
ever could be done for a vigorous prosecution
of this war As to the thing that should be
done at this election, If beIeyed-and I said
so with entire truth and sincerity--if believ-
ed that by voting for Wadsworth should
contribute to the success of our arms, and
bring about in this country an honorable peace,
1 should vote for Mr. Wadsworth, for Cover
nor, without hesitation; but it was because I
did not so believe, because I was entirely
confident that such a course would not be adj
vantageous to the country, and would not
bring about an honorable peace, which is the
legitimate object of the war, that I should
support Mr.. Seymour also said on that oc-
casion, in speaking of the advantages Of sup
porting Mr. Seymour, that my object was to
sustain the President as far as justice will au-
thorize and sustain him, in every Govern
mental measure that he may adopt for the
purpose of carrying on the war, or to uphold
the Government. I said that it was our pur-
pose to stand by the Union and the Constitu-
ton, and to stand by Mr.. LincOIon as far as
he would let u.s. and to stand by Mcclellan
whether he would let US or not Mingled
applause, misses, and great confusion,] Now,
in conclusion-[renewed Kisses and applause
l am only repeating to you what said on
the 18th of October. Cries of q Go on I
said protract this contest to the next Presi-
dental election, no matter what is the result,
this country will be irretrievably swamped
long before we reach the 4th of March. 1866.
It must be done sooner-the result must be
achieved under Lincoln; it must be achiev-
ed by carrying vigor to him in resisting what
1 may say will, unless defeated, result disas-
trously to us. 1t will be observed thai then
1 stated that party organization had ceased to
be of any practical importance; that the sole
inquiry, in my judgement, was how should
we best carry on the war-[a voice, That's
so, land that would be governed entirely
in that canvass by that single consideration.
[AppIause.l What I then said repeated in
various portions of the State after the 18th
of October, and until the very day of the
election. Governor Seymour was present on
this stand at the time spoke. He was with