two years that he rendered the National Government services sc important as to attract great attention and give him a high reputation throughout the Union. These services, and his high character for talents, integrity and administrative ability, have made him the candidate of the Democratic party for the Presidency. He has richly earned this token of their confidence and esteem. At his inauguration on that occasion, he said: "Fellow citizens: In your presence I have solemnly sworn to support the Constitution of the United States, with all its grants, restrictions and guaranties, and I shall support it. "I have also sworn to support another constitution, the Constitution of the State of New York, with all its powers and rights. I shall uphold it. "I have sworn faithfully to perform the duties of the office of Governor of this State, and with your aid they shall be faithfully performed. These constitutions and laws are meant for the guidance of official conduct, and for your protection and welfare. "These constitutions do not conflict; the line of separation between the responsibilities and obligations which each imposes is well defined. They do not embarrass us in the performance of our duties as citizens or officials." His views concerning the preservation of the Union were soon after given to the Legislature in these words: "Under no circumstances can the division of the Union be conceded. We will put forth every exertion of power; we will use every policy of conciliation; we will hold out every inducement to the people of the South to return to their allegiance, consistent with honor; we will guarantee them every right, every consideration demanded by the Constitution, and by that fraternal regard which must prevail in a common country; but we can never voluntarily consent to the breaking up of the Union of these States, or the destruction of the Constitution." Actuated by such sentiments, Governor Seymour entered upon his arduous duties, and most ably and faithfully performed them through his whole term. At this time, New York constituted one-fifth of the whole population of the nation not actually in rebellion, and over one-fourth war. of those firmly in and supporting it. Governor Seymour had resting upon him the double duty of sustaining the Federal Government and protecting the Empire City, which, with its commerce was at the mercy of rebel cruisers, the national troops having been despatched elsewhere. He promptly answered every call of the National Government, manifested so much tact, skill and energy that no enemy approached his State. The summer of 1863, when Lee was penetrating Pennsylvania, was the most critical period of the President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton and Governor Curtin were calling upon him for help to protect the capital of that State. With incomparable promptness and energy, he wielded the power of the State, sent forward his thousands upon thousands of volunteers, and saved Pennsylvania, Baltimore and Washington. But for his herculean labors, Lee would not have been checked and driven back to Virginia from Gettysburgh. We do not say too much, when we state that the battle of Gettysburgh would have been lost but for the promptitude and untiring energy of Governor Seymour. There was a celerity of movement of the New York volunteers which startled the enemy and astonished everybody. An experienced military chieftain could not have done more. that time President Lincoln, Mr. Stanton and the whole nation not in rebellion, were complimenting him. When the New York troops were all forwarded to Gettysburgh, an officer of Governor Seymour's staff called upon the President to take leave, the latter, in the fullness of his heart, and taking him by both hands, said: "I wish you to understand that you cannot possibly use words too warm to convey to Governor Seymour my thankfulness for his prompt and efficient help given the Government in this crisis." At On the 16th of June, 1863, Mr. Stanton telegraphed to the Governor, "The President directs me to return his thanks, with those of the Department, for your prompt response." On the 19th of June, he telegraphed Governor Seymour's efficient Adjutant-General Sprague: "The President directs me to return his thanks to his excellency, Governor Seymour and his staff for their energetic and prompt action." On the 27th of June, Mr. Stanton telegraphed Governor Seymour: “Dear sir,-I cannot forbear expressing to you the deep obligation I feel for the prompt and candid support you have given to the Government in the present emergency. The energy, activity and patriotism you have exhibited, I may be permitted personally and officially to acknowledge, without arrogating any personal claims on my part to such service or to any service whatever. I shall be happy to be always esteemed your friend." Such language places Governor Seymour on the high ground where Mr. Madison and his cabinet placed Governor Tompkins. Each as Governor of New York, had carried a national administration through a perilous crisis and protected the nation. Educated and experienced military men of the highest rank and ability could have done no more. The nation owes Governor Seymour a debt for civil-military services scarcely exceeded by those of the most successful military commander. The people will soon pass judg ment upon them. They will doubtless determine that he is equal to any emergency, in either civil or military affairs, which can occur in our government and place him at the head of the Government. But a cloud arose. The wide-spread commendations of Governor Seymour excited alarm among Republican politicians, who desired a continuance of the war and the administration, as the means of filling pockets troubled with "an aching void." They wished the road to the treasury kept open, and guarded by sentinels who would be blind when they wished to enter. Governor Seymour's rigid honesty and piercing scrutiny threatened to defeat all their cherished plans if elected president. He had too strong a hold upon the public confidence not to awaken their fears. He was dreaded and feared as one who might successfully compete for the presidency. Among those whose patriotism and loyalty were confined to obtaining office and plundering the treasury, it was decreed that he should be crucified because of his dangerous popularity. Every engine which the love of plunder and political malignity could invent was aimed at him. The Democracy of the State came in for their share of this feeling. Congress had ordered, on the 3d of March, 1863, a heavy draft-300,000-for the army. After Pennsylvania had been saved, the administration determined to press on this draft in New York, against the earnest protest of Governor Seymour, who avowed his ability to fill the quota of the State by obtaining volunteers. The assignment of quotas and the enrollment had been grossly partial. He proved by facts and figures, which were not denied, that in nine Democratic congressional districts, giving, in 1860, 151,243 votes, the conscription called for was 33,729, while in nineteen Republican districts, giving 457,257, only 39,626 were called for. He laid before the War Department, this statement: "The average enrollment to the male population in the Western States, is.. In New Jersey ... In the New England States. In New York... Massachusetts, with ten congressmen and a population of 1,231,066, has to furnish under this call for 300,000 The first nine congressional districts of the State of Excess in the nine congressional districts in New York 15,126 25,166 10,040 7,099 7,629 This demonstrated the injustice done to New York. Notwithstanding all that Governor Seymour had done for the Federal administration, Mr. Lincoln refused to postpone the draft until these wrongs could be looked into, and all errors corrected. While the local militia were absent in Pennsylvania, the draft was hurried on in the city. That there was an object in view, outside of raising troops for the army, soon became apparent. The War Department, instead of sending home from Pennsylvania only New York soldiers to aid in securing order and quiet in the city, sent as follows: United States regular infantry regiments and artillery.... 12 Ohio Infantry regiments... Massachusetts infantry and artillery.. Vermont infantry regiments.. Connecticut battery. Delaware battery.. 17 276450 1 Michigan infantry regiments.. Indiana infantry regiments.. Minnesota infantry.. 1 3 1 2 Wisconsin infantry... Total United States regiments and batteries on duty...... 44 This immense force was sent to New York, not because it was needed there, but to produce a state of things which would excuse declaring martial law, which was expected to continue until after election. Such was the course towards New York, which, during the year 1863, furnished 56,156 men, and up to December of that year, had, in all, furnished 292,982 men. Republican papers and orators had artfully fomented a riotous feeling. They wanted riots and secured them. Governor Seymour went to the city and aided to quell them. Mr. Opdyke, then mayor, and a republican, said in the late State Convention : “And while I thought, sometimes, he was vacillating, and disposed to interfere in a manner which, in my judgment, would be disas trous to the best interests of the city, it turned out that my apprehensions were unfounded. He never yielded to these bad counsels, but TO THE END STOOD FIRM. EVERYTHING THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO DO WAS DONE TO AID IN THE SUPPRESSION OF THE RIOTS." "AND HIS CONDUCT DURING THOSE RIOTS MET MY ENTIRE APPROVAL." He not only performed his duty, but he defeated, by declaring the city in a state of insurrection, and avowing his ability to suppress it, the whole scheme of declaring martial law in the city. His enemies did not venture to declare the city under martial law when he had proclaimed an insurrection which he avowed himself able to suppress by State power, and when there was neither insurrection nor rebellion against the Federal Government. And so |