Selected Letters, Horatio Seymour MSS., New York State Library.

HORATIO SEYMOUR PAPERS (Cont)

Scrapbooks, Vol. 12, 1865-1870

Undated Clippings from New York World re: Seymour's Tour

October 23 Buffalo - Dunkirk - Westfield - Northeast - Erie - Ashtabula - Painesville -Clevleand.

At Erie, Seymour says: "I have gone out to speak to the citizens of this country about the questions which now agitate the public mind. It is said that I am an interested man, and so I am, and so is every man who pays taxes and helps to support this Government. How would it be if none of those who had an interest in this contest were to take part in it? Would Pennsylvania have voted for the Republican ticket a little while since if every office- holder had staid away from the contest? (Cries -- 'No! No!') I find when I look over the list of Government officials that they number more than sixty thousand. I contend that with the impartial people who have no other relationship with this Government than that of taxpayers and good citizens, and who have no direct interest in what the Democratic party does, we have a great and commanding majority Let us lay aside passions and prejudices and consider the questions upon which we are to act in a calm, fair, dispassionate, and patriotic method. I impeach no man's patriotism beca11se he does not think as I think We are prone to indulge too much in invective and abuse. Let us not act upon our prejudices against each other. Let us not be influenced by the pictures which may be drawn of the candidates for office, for I may say for my political opponent, as well as for myself, that no man ever contemplated the duties of the office of President of the United States without being filled with the most earnest desire to do his duty to himself and to do his duty to the land which we all love "

At Cleveland: "I should mistrust my own conclusions upon the weighty subjects connected with the government if they had been borne amid the excitement of a heated political canvass, but they were not I stand before you to briefly allude to conclusions I formed long since -- not as a public officer, but as a privae citizen of this nation I am sorry that such an unjust prejudice has been created a~ainst me in the minds of many, for I love the good opinion of all men; but to win the good opinions I cannot give up these great principles which I believe to be founded in jutice and truth The results of the election, so far as they concern me personally, are unimportant. They are only temporary, but they concern the people of this country. Let me once more beg you to act honestly, thoughtfully, and candidly as becomes American citizens. We received from our father the inheritance of a goodly land; let it not be said that we were false to our trust and above all that by our mutual hate and distrust we have fretted away the great boon of constitutional freedom."

HORATIO SEYMOUR PAPERS (Cont) "SEYMOUR, The Visit of the Great Statesman to the West," "...Nothing but the name and fame of 'Seymour' had brought all this vast concourse together. Barring a few torches that surrounded the speaker's stand, the square was as dark as on any ordinary evening. Not a rocket had been sent up, nor any species of fireworks used until the moment the speaker appeared upon the stand. No calcium lights were visible, no Greek or Bengal fires, nothing that could attract a single person who had not a personal interest in the the great occasion, an interest above and beyond all mere motives of curiosity, and that related only to the well- being of the great nation whose fate is on the hazard in the coming November.

"Music, too, was entirely wanting. Not a strain from brazen throats arrested the steps of passers by, or attracted idlers to the spot It had been determined to show to everyone, radical or democrat, that, to assemble the banner meeting of the campaign, naught was needed but the firm conviction among the democracy of the city that the country has need of all their efforts -- that one single patriotic motive is more powerful than shouts. amd fireworks, and music, and all the endless varieties of political claptrap "No democrat could look upon his chosen candidate for the preseident of the great republic, and not be proud of his choice. Tall, erect, and symmetrical, with broad, expansive forehead, with a countenance that bespoke at once the statesman and the scholar, and an air and manners that bespoke the gentleman, he seemed a fit representative of the great party whose history is bound up in the history of the country during its better days of peace and prosDerity. In these days, however, when tanners, tailors, and flatboatmen aspire to the presidential office, and when the success of their party in great part depends upon keening their ungainly and imbecile candidates away from public gaze, the democracy may fairly indulge in an old-fashioned pride in the fact that the man of their choice will not, in bearing, in appearance, in acquirements, in training, or in capapbility, disgrace the office, to fill which he has been nominated. It is a pl'ide that has gone somewhat out of date, of late years, and which may be expected to disappear altogether in the radical millenium, should it ever come, when Chinese, mulattoes and Congo negros shall mingle together in our legislative halls,and chairs of state. But it was a pride the filled the breast of every democrat, high or low, as he gazed upon the form and features of his candidate for the Presidency, on Saturday evening last; and the feeling found expression as Mr. Seymour stepped in front of his audience, in the cry from one stentorian throat, of "Where's Grant?' an inquiry that was greeted with shouts of derisive laughter from all around.. ...

"[In Seymour's speech:] "Not a word of buncombe, not a single appeal to prejudice, making, as he said, every allowances for the difficulties that confronted the radicals in their work of reconstruction, the governor appealed solely to the reason and intelligence of his auditors. If mention was made of the opposing candidates, it was in terms of the greatest respect; indeed far more so than many a democrat who knew them better

[HORATIO SEYMOUR PAPERS, cont] would be disposed to use in his own case. It is impossible, however, even for an owl, to look wise at all times and places, and so it was impossible for the speaker to refrain from pleasantry when allusion was made to the chattering remarks of the South Bend canary bird [Colfax], in what had been published as a reply to the governor's speech at Buffalo... the smiling Schuyler's 'reply' was put aside quite cavalierly, though with the utmost good nature. The speech was listened to throughout with breathless attention. Probably no speaker in this city since the lamented Douglas, ever so completely commanded the attention of his audience as did Gov. Seymour.”

Transparencies with various mottoes: 2nd ward: "our Symbol is Peace not the sword"; Seymour and Brains ap;ainst Grant and Brass Buttons."

6th Ward: Seymour for President -- No Dummy for Us.

"Gov. Seymour Leads the Democratic Column, In Person!"

"The telegram announcing that Governor SEYMOUR will open the Presidential Campaign ... by a speech in Rochester, will rouse the enthusiasm and inspire anew the hopes of the Demcracy "... Gov. SEYMOUR, ... had resolved to take no part, as speaker, in the political campaign. But the recent demonstration in favor of a new candidate for the Vice Presidency, or even a more complete change in the ticket -- has compelled him to come before the people in person.

" Those who know Gov. SEYMOUR, know that in such a crisis as this he rises above all personal considerations. He would prefer to be silent; and even the storm of personal obloquy to which he has been subject, has never called forth a murmur from his lips. But in this case his fidelity to the party is in question, his adhesion to its principles, and his good faith toward his colleague on the ticket. He can only vindicate himself from such imputations by taking the leadership of the Democratic column in person. And he will do so. His voice, which has never uttered but the measured and well considered counsels of wisdom and patriotism, will assure his own party and win the confidence of all "...With our Chief in command, and the ranks glowing with enthusiasm and confidence, who can doubt our victory?"

Library of Congress, Mansucript Division, The Papers of William I. Eaton Chandler, container #6, 1868, June 5-July 25.

John H. Caldwell, Atlanta, Georgia, July 4, 1868 to Wm Claflin, Chairman -Republican National Committee, RNC, NY, 6 pps.

Spells out what they need in Georgia (or any state) to win. "1st A very comprehensive Life of General Grant It should not exceed a dozen pages...

2 "A very concise statement (p.5) of the ultimatum of the Democracy, which they avowedly hold here to be the undoing of all that has been done by Congress. . . . This statement should be very short, & plain, large print. "

3 A small campaign paper, say 10 X 14 inches, published weekly in Atlanta, and scatter broadcast throughout the state...

"4 We must have good speakers, white and colored, to go all over the state, especially among the Colored peop1e. These men must be paid for their services, and have their expenses paid.

"5 The Democrats will spend a vast amount of money inputting up 'barbacues' and public entertainments, gathering the Colored people... They have begun it already, and are buying uniforms & badges to give to the colored members of their (p.6) Democratic clubs.

"6 A number of campaign songs, printed in large type..." All this, of course, requires money, supplemented from RNC.

Truman Smith, New York, July 13, 1868 to Wm E Chandler, 4 pps. 11

[Whig National Chairman for Taylor and Scott] "...When I was in Congress the practice was to Constitute that Committee of members of Congress exclusively Up to '48 the practice had been (p.2) to flood the mails with the speeches of members of Congress[,] but in place of these in a great degree substituted poli tical tracts or small pamphlets prepared with great care condensed as much as possible & crammed with facts & details so as to give full information in the subject adverted to. They were drawn up in after the fashion of a lawyer's brief & were as precise & as much condensed as such papers usually are.

My object was to furnish the public press[,] public speakers and the publick generally with information alike full & reliable on all topics material In '48 I had the assistance of one of the best political tacticians I ever knew but in '52 he had gone. off to California & I had to strip (p.3) off my coat & go at ~t myself with what result I need not say I think the Campaign --should be made aggressive in every practicable way. We ought to attack the democracy just as Grant did Lee -- that is to say incessantly & with all possible vigor. In such contests many things are to be gained by aggression & audacity & nothing can be lost (p.4) P.S. "On looking over my letter I find it is likely to make a false impression on your mind in own respect -- in 48 we published John M. Clayton"s campaign speech & Andrew Stuart's speech on General Cass's extra allowances in great numbers, but for the rest ...[we had] tracts & pamphlets such as I have described -- A short tract of from 4 to 8 pages can be published in greater numbers and distributed allover the country & can be made to do much more good than a speech of from 16 to 32 pages."

Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, The Papers of William Eaton Chandler, Container #, Sept. 15-25 "Adam Badeau, Galena, Sept 15, 1868, 4 pps.

"...The General is in fine hea~th, and as ca~m as ever " Doesn't want another session of Congress (p.2) "No one whom I have spoken to advises the General to go East for any purpose, until election. He himself will not .consent to deviate from the course he has already followed. (p.3)

He will not leave Galena for a month to come, I think.

"I trust you will push your pamphlet life of the General. I have heard it well spoken of "

"If r could draw on you for the $300 which was agreed upon for the services rendered in August, I should like to do so this month. P~ease let me know how this had better be done. The first installment you will remember was to be $300 "

Urges pubication of letter of Grant to his father about cotton "I think it will do a great deal of good..." as postscript on p.4 "Please [do] not let page three of this letter be seen [re:$300], as it would not be understood and would becertainly mis understood…."

New York state Library, A1bany, New York, Manuscripts and Specia1 Co11ections, Horatio Seymour Papers, CF7008

Box #8, January - July 31, 1868, Letters, July 10-13, Clipping fragment from Republican newspaper, "The Nomination of Horatio Seymour,"

" . . . though probably it was not expected by many [i t] was very properly made. Take this gentleman for all in all, he is about the best representative of the democratic party, the most Iexquisite embod[i]ment of the democratic principles, that it is possible to find in the land. He was a sympathizer with and a supporter of the rebels He was the 'friend' of the rioters of 1863 he is as servile (towards the Southrons] as others of his party He is a man of mean and narrow mind and therefore justly can be regardeed as the type of the mean and narrow platform adopted by the democrats, and which is composed in lequal proportions of theft and treason "

Chas. W. Carrigan, Philadelphia , to Gov. Seymour, July 13,1868, 3pps.

p. 1. "On your success, depends the maintenance of liberty here, perhaps liberty everywhere. 1 belive a majority of the states... will so declare, and thus save us from the depotism and ruin, that must result from the triumph of the Radical destructionists."

Box 9, Letters, August, 1868,

August 1-5, 1868, Morris Miller, Washington, DC to Horatio Seymour [cousin of Mrs. Seymour], August 1, 1868, 4pps.

"When a man is forced into a position against his will should his friends rejoice or condole with him? 1 have a letter of yours now written years ago refusing to enter the White House and Icharacterising it as a Whited Sepulchre "

Chas E. Flandreau, Rooms of the Democratic State Committee, Minneapolis, August 5, 1868, circular sent to Horatio Seymour, lp.

"We will necessarily incur the usual expense of Speakers, Music, Halls, Printing, etc., but I would suggest that the greatest economy be observed in this feature of the Canvass, as in my opinion it is the least effective. The character of work that produces valuable results, is a close personal canvass, commenced long before the Election, and prosecuted till the status of each. Voter is fully ascertained, and the probabi1ities of his I attending the polls known. With an understanding thus obtained of any given locality, a Committee can make every dollar expended, equal in effect to ten disbursed in the manner in which our tCampaigns have generally been conducted…"

Horatio Seymour MSS [cont] New York state Library August 16-19, 1868, Geo. L. Miller, Omaha, Neb., to Horatio Seymour, Aug[ust] 18, 1868, proprietor of the Omaha Daily and Weekly Herald, 1p.

"I think you ought to take a trip to the Rocky Mountains 'for your health.' Grant has been here, Colfax ... has been here,and old Ben Wade is said to be coming. It might invigorate your frame, which radicals insist is feebled, for you to come out. We will not ask you to make a longer speech than one of Grant's shortest. While here, he was as dumb as a mute, and he had to be told to take off his hat when presented to the crowd "

August 20-25, 1868, John Cosgrove, Boomville, Mo., August 22, 1868, to Horatio Seymour, 3pps. Invitation

p.2 "Your journey through the Western cities would create the greatest enthusiasm possible. "

Box 10, Letters, September - November, 1868
September 1-5, 1868, also undated

Enclosed with Eugene Tisdale, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, to Horatio Seymour, September 4, 1868, clipping, "Proceedings of the Ratification Meeting Held in Monroe, August 29, 1868, 3rd Resolution: "In Horatio Seymour, we recognize a man who has illustrated a life of unspotted personal honor by the support of sound principles, with unwavering constancy, great abilities and persuasive eloquence."

Bingham, [Secretary of the Democratic State centralCommittee in Indiana], Indianapolis, Ind[iana] , Sept 1, 1868, to Horatio Seymour. re: choice of speakers, 2pp.

"... I fear that Mr. [ill] of Arkansas, cannot help us. It would give color to the charge of sympathy with the rebels. A few speeches from Thayer would do us great food, if he gets back in time. Our meetings are held in open air, with rare exceptions. The buildings are too small for the crowds that come out. The style of Hon. Gen. F. Comstock will be too heavy for the stage of the canvass. We want the sharp crack of the rifle rather than the heavy boom of the cannon (p.2) "You know the kind of speakers we need -- attractive, r zealous, as well as able. Such men we can use for the next six weeks with a great advantage. "

O.B. Gridley, Deansville, [NY?], Sept. 2, 1868, to H. Seymour, invitation to speak at the Oneida County Fair [rejected -- Seymour or his secretary writes 'impossibe' at top of page], 2pp.

"I wish you not only to give the 'finishing touch' but I inform those in attendance you are a farmer & proud of your . occupation. Not that I expect you to introduce politics (p. 2) , but it will help you more in a political speech."

HORATIO SEYMOUR PAPERS (cont.) . Box 10, September - November, 1868, AI

September 15-19, 1868 c Wm. W. Wright, New York, Sept 18, 1868, to D, Noxon (?), asking him to transmit message to Seymour, 4pps., back from Maine, discussing failure -- greatest problem, not reaching the Republicans.

p.3 "Now what shall be done. How we shall get a hearing with the Republicans, and, revive the confidence of our friends, is the question.

"I answer, by monster meetings as the great battle ground of the October elections. This can only be done by th~ presence and the eloquence of Horatio Seymour. Whatever he says will be heard by thousands of Republcans and the curiosity to know what it is, will compel newspapers of all political complexions to report him. What is the objection? The rule of dignity, taste or propriety which permits without question a candidate for Governor of the Empire State to speak to the people, but forbids the same man to open his mouth if he aspires to govern this half busted Confederacy I never could understand. Who believes- that the Governor had a ghost of a chance to overcome the 110,000 of 1861 without those personal appeals to the public, and is it really so great a task to turn the scale in the much balanced states of Penn[sylvani]a, Ohio & Indiana by the same means? (p.4) My judgment is, that he should speak twice in each of these states [ill] at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Cleveland, Indianapolis and somewhere else in Indiana. Will you suggest this and have it taken into consideration?"

E.E. Dairs, New York, Sept. 18, 1868, to Horatio Seymour, from the Rooms of the Democratic State Committee, 2pp.

"It is the universal sentiment among all your friends that you should make a trip commencing at Philadelphia to Pittsburgh Columbus Cincinnati Chicago & Milwaukee[.] [I]t would create an enthusiasm among the People which would ensure Success. I do hope you will think favorable of it & proceed on the trip at once.

"You must not have any false delicacy with regard to former precedent. The times require bold (p.2) & prompt action & if the result in Maine has caused any depression among your friends, your action in the way indicated will restore confidence & give us a victory in Penn & Indiana.

"I saw Mr. Tilden last evening:.. He thinks well of & said he would write you immediately…"

SEYMOUR PAPERS (cont)
Scrapbooks, Volume 12, 1865-70, Political "Seymour at Home. Magnificent Reception by his Fellow-Citizens," N.Y. World, July 21, 1868.

Seymour goes from New York, to Albany, to visit a relative, then to Utica. Mobbed throughout visit. Sufferin~ from diptheria, sore throat, declines to greet crowds. Schnectady, Amsterdam, Palatine Bridge, word of mouth spreads, receptions increasingly large. At Utica, "a magnificent though impromptu and spontaneous reception was tendered him. The town turned out en masse to welcome him

"... It may be mentioned, although the fact was not sent by the Associated Press, owing to some partisan leanings of one Roberts, the editor of a local sheet, who is its agent here, that the news of Seymour's nomination was received here with unanimous and enthusiastic rejoicin~... The love and affection of his friends and neighbors here is one of the most beautiful instances of his private life. It was certainly the duty of the Associated Press to make some mention of the reception of the news of the nomination at Seymour's home." (dateline Utica, July 13)

NY World: "Political. Letter of President Johnson to Governor Seymour" From Executive Mansion, Washington DC, October 22, 1868:

"I see it announced in the papers of this morning that you will enter the Presidential canvass in person. I trust this may be so, as the present position of public affairs justifies and demands it. It is hoped and believed by your friends that all the enemies of constituional government ... wili not be spared The mass of the people should be aroused and warned against the encroachments of the despotic power now ready to enter the very gates of the citadel of libertv. I trust you may speak with an inspired tongue, and that your voice may penetrate every just and patriotic heart throughout the land. Let the living principles of a violated Constitution be proclaimed and restored, that peace, prosperity and fraternal feeling may return to a divided and oppressed nation." Andrew Johnson.

HORATIO SEYMOUR PAPERS (Cont) I Scrapbooks, Vol. 12, 1865-1810
Undated Clippings from New York World re: Seymour's Tour

October 23 Buffalo - Dunkirk - Westfield - Northeast - Erie - Ashtabula - Painesville -Clevleand.

At Erie, Seymour says: "I have gone out to speak to the citizens of this count:y about the questions which now agitate the public mind. It is said that I am an interested man, and so I am, and so is every man who pays taxes and helps to support this Government. How would it be if none of those who had an interest in this contest were to take part in it? Would Pennsylvania have voted for the Republican ticket a little while since if every office- holder had staid away from the contest? (Cries -- 'No! No!') I find when I look over the list of Government officials that they number more than sixty thousand. I contend that with the impartial people who have no other relationship with this Government than that of taxpayers and good citizens, and who have no direct interest in what the Democratic party does, we have a great and commanding majority Let us lay aside passions and prejudices and consider the questions upon which we are to act in a calm, fair! dispassionate, and patriotic method. I impeach no man s patriotism because he does not think as I think We are prone to indulge too much in invective and abuse. Let us not act upon our prejudices against each other. Let us not be influenced by the pictures which may be drawn of the candidates for office, for I may say for my political opponent, as well as for myself, that no man ever contemplated the duties of the office of President of the United States without being filled with the most earnest desire to do his duty to himself and to do his duty to the land which we all love "

At Cleveland: "I should mistrust my own conclusions upon the weighty subjects connected with the government if they had been borne amid the excitement of a heated political canvass, but they' were not I stand before you to briefly allude to conclusions I formed long since -- not as a public officer, but as a private citizen of this nation I am sorry that such an unjust prejudice has been created against me in the minds of many, for I love the good opinion of all men; but to win the good opinions I cannot give up these great principles which I believe to be founded in jutice and truth The results of the election, so "far as they concern me personally, are unimportant. They are only temporary, but they concern the people of this country. Let me once more beg you to act honestly, thoughtfully, and candidly as becomes American citizens. We received from our father the inheritance of a goodly land; let it not be said that we were false to our trust and above all that by our mutual hate and distrust we have fretted away the great boon of constitutional Freedom.”

HORATIO SEYMOUR PAPERS (Cont)

"SEYMOUR, The Visit of the Great Statesman to the West,"

"...Nothing but the name and fame of 'Seymour' had brought all this vast concourse together. Barring a few torches that surrounded the speaker's stand, the square was as dark as on any ordinary evening. Not a rocket had been sent up, nor any species of fireworks used until the moment the speaker appeared upon the stand. No calcium lights were visible, no Greek or Bengal fires, nothing that could attract a single person who had not a personal interest in the the great occasion, an interest above and beyond all mere motives of curiosity, and that related only to the well- being of the great nation whose fate is on the hazard in the coming November.

"Music, too, was entirely wanting. Not a strain from brazen I throats arrested the steps of passers by, or attracted idlers to the spot It had been determined to show to everyone, radical or democrat, that, to assemble the banner meeting of the campaign, naught was needed but the firm conviction among the democracy of the city that the country has need of all their efforts -- that one single patriotic motive is more powerful than shouts. amd fireworks, and music, and all the endless varieties of political claptrap "No democrat could look upon his chosen candidate for the president of the great republic, and not be proud of his choice.

Tall, erect, and symmetrical, with broad, expansive forehead, with a countenance that bespoke at once the statesman and the scholar, and an air and manners that bespoke the gentleman, he seemed a fit representative of the great party whose history is bound up in the history of the country during its better days of peace and prosoerity. In these days, however, when tanners, tailors, and flatboatmen aspire to the presidential office, and when the success of their party in great part depends upon keening their ungainly and imbecile candidates away from public gaze, the democracy may fairly indulge in an old-fashioned pride in the fact that the man of their choice will not, in bearing, in appearance, in acquirements, in training, or in capapbility, disgrace the office, to fill which he has been nominated. It is a pl~ide that has gone somewhat out of date, of late years, and which may be expected to disappear altogether in the radical millenium, should it ever come, when Chinese, mulattoes and Congo negros shall min~le together in our legislative halls,and chairs of state. But it was a pride the filled the breast of every democrat, high or low, as he gazed upon the form and features of his candidate for the Presidency, on Saturday evening last; and the feeling found expression as Mr. Seymour stepped in front of his audience, in the cry from one stentorian throat, of "Where's Grant?' an inquiry that was greeted with shouts of derisive laughter from all around" [In Seymour's speech:] "Not a word of buncombe, not a single appeal to prejudice, making, as he said, every allowances for the difficulties that confronted the radicals in their work of reconstruction, the governor appealed solely to the reason and intelligence of his auditors. If mention was made of the oPPosing candidates, it was in terms of the greatest respect; indeed far more so than many a democrat who knew them better.

[HORATIO SEYMOUR PAPERS, cont] .

I would be disposed to use in his own case. It is impossible, however, even for an owl, to look wise at all times and places, and so it was impossible for the speaker to refrain from pleasantry when allusion was made to the chattering remarks of the South Bend canary bird [Colfax], in what had been published as a reply to the governor's speech at Buffalo... the smiling Schuyler's 'reply' was put aside quite cavalierly, though with the utmost good nature. The speech was listened to throughout with breathless attention. Probably no speaker in this city since the lamented Douglas, ever so completely commanded the attention of his audience as did Gov. Seymour."

Transparencies with various mottoes: 2nd ward: "our Symbol is Peace not the sword"; Seymour and Brains aRainst Grant and Brass Buttons. "

6th Ward: Seymour for President - No Dummy for Us.

"Gov. Seymour Leads the Democratic Column, In Person!"

"The telegram announcing that Governor SEYMOUR will open the Presidential Campaign ... by a speech in Rochester, will rouse the enthusiasm and inspire anew the hopes of the Demcracy "... Gov. SEYMOUR, ... had resolved to take no part, as speaker, in the political campaign. But the recent demonstration in favor of a new candidate for the Vice Presidency, or even a more complete change in the ticket -- has compelled him to come before the people in person.

" Those who know Gov. SEYMOUR, know that in such a crisis as this he rises above all personal considerations. He would prefer to be silent; and even the storm of personal obloquy to which he has been subject, has never called forth a murmur from his lips. But in this case his fidelity to the party is in question, his adhesion to its principles, and his 200d faith toward his colleague on the ticket. He can only vindicate himself from such imputations by taking the leadership of the Democratic column in person. And he will do so. His voice, which has never uttered but the measured and well considered counsels of wisdom and patriotism, will assure his own party and win the confidence of all I "...With our Chief in command, and the ranks glowing with enthusiasm and confidence, who can doubt our victory?"

Library of Congress, Periodicals and Microfilms, The World, New York, Apr 1 - Aug 15, 1868,

June 1, 1868, "General Grant's Speech of Acceptance," p. 4 [ed] The speech "is very brief, as was to have been expected; and it is as flat and as commonplace as it it short." Objects to sentence saying will have "no policy of my own to interfere - against the will of the people. "Such a servile utterance is a self-proclaimed satire on General Grant's intellect and his moral independence. He is told by General Hawley that he is expected to be the political thrall of the party that has nominated him, and he responds by saying that the expectation is well-founded, and that he will have no policy of his own The surrender of his mental independence is the price General Grant is willing to pay for an election to the Presidency. He avows his willingness to be into that office as a puppet, and let the Radicals pull the strings. "This abject pledge probably affords a correct measure of " General Grant's capacitv as a statesman. He does not propose to be 'a pillar of state,' but a weathercock to show which way the wind blows, veering as the popular breath changes and having no direction of its own. But the Presidency is no place for a man without ideas and destitute of a policy; who knows no rule of conduct but the servile one of doing as he is bid; and because it is bidden thinking it right the will of the people ought to prevail... but their deliberate, settled will as expressed in the Constitution ought to prevail over their fitful impulses on some fleeting occasion. The Constitution is their permanent mandate. If by the will of the people be meant the caprice of a transient majority, it is not at all binding on the President... Our Constitution is built on the broad basis of human rights; it recognizes the rights of the minority as being sacred to the will of the majority; and it makes the President their. defender by clothing him with the veto power for their protectlon. But General Grant declares, in substance, that if he is elected President there will be no more vetoes; that he will never have a policy in opposition to the will of the majortiv; that when a majority tyrannize he will be its subservient and willing tool. We are proud to say that no candidate for President ever before debased himself by such a servile abdication of all the sentiments that befit a patriot and a statesman "

NY World, June 15, 1868, p. 4, General Grant as A Statesman,"

"...The Tribune, in lauding General Grant's avowal that he had no policy, thou~ht it meritorious. The theory on which the Tribune approved it was, that the President is merely an executive officer, who has no voice in making laws and no duty but to enforce them, and accordingly that to a President who does not mean to encroach upon the functions of Congress, a policy is a useless encumbrance. Accordin~ to this theory, we are not to seek in a President a head to think, but only a hand to execute. The Tribune's view... is so far correct as it recognizes the absence in General Grant of all statesmanlike qualification and admits that it is only on the theory that such qualifications are not necessary that he is a suitable candidate "Attempts [of the NYTimes] to m-ake General Grant a statesman resemble the long sought mystery of the old alchemist by which the baser metals were to be transmuted into gold "He lacks the aptitudes and is destitute of the knowledge possessed by men fitted to make a great figure in political life. "In our actual Government as the Constitution has mapped it, there is scope for the first order of talents in the President. He has the intiative, and if he be reallv able and great he may exert a controlling influence, in all questions of foreign and domestic policy As a matter of fact, the history of our country has been made by our Presidents "The power of our Presidents is so great that the whole interest of our politics has always centred in our Presidential elections. This power does not consist- wholly, nor mainly, in their right to take the initiative in legislation by recommending measures to Congress, but in their power to successfully resist ! le£islation unle~s it be supported by full two-thirds of both I Houses of Congress... Add to this the influence of the Federal patronage... mak[ing] the legislative weight of the President more than equal to that of two-thirds of Congress. So much power is not safely trusted in any hands but that of an experienced statesman... so conscious does he [Grant] seem of his deficiency, that he aspires no higher than to be the subservient tool of Congress. If our former Presidents had been such personified neEations, how very different would have been the history of the country!"

NY World, July 31, 1868, p.4 "Horatio Seymour A Statesman," red] "The notion of the Cincinnait Commercial that Governor Seymour is an adept in managing a canvass and in the arts of a small politician, will excite a smile here in New York where he is known. Such petty intrigues are the resource of an office- seeker; but Governor Seymour has never sought office; offices have always sought him. He does not belong to the order of men who need office to give them consideration. The chief advantage of high office is the opportunities it affords for influencing public opinion -- the grand lever by which the political world is moved in free contries. Mr. Seymour's abilitiF;s, eloquence and standing give him this advantage independently of public station. By such a man the routine duties of office may be reasonably shunned, except when the public voice demands the sacrifice of his personal ease for the general good.

NY World, August 3, 1868, p.l, "Grant's Trial Trip, A speech on National Affairs at St. Joseph,"

"At St. Joseph, Missouri, on Thursday, General Grant, Iaccompanied by his poor relation, Dent, and by General Sherman, made an important and lengthy address upon national affairs. We give the oration in full:

GRANT'S ANNUNCIATION OF HIS POLICY.

I return my sincere thanks for this hearty reception.

HIS OPINION OF RECONSTRUCTION. I have been travelling for two weeks, every day.

WHAT HE THINKS OF FINANCE. And most of the time at night over mountains.

CONCERNING NEGRO SUFFRAGE. Visiting this Western country, which I am now seeing for first time.

THE GLORIOUS FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. I am fatigued, weary, dusty and unable to address you.

A MAGNIFICENT PERORATION. I thank you but I cannot speak to you this evening.

At this point the eloquent gentleman concluded his exhaustive and convincing address, and the audience dispersed with the most tremendous cheers for Seymour and Blair."

Library of Congress, Periodicals, Bound Volumes, The Hartford Daily Courant, July -Dec,1868
October 23, 1868, p.2 "Seymour on the Stump,"

"...this is a campaign between parties, and not between men.

We have fought the Democratic party not because Frank Blair is a revolutionist, or Pendleton a repudiator, or Wade Hampton a rebel, or Seymour a combination of teh three, but because the Democratic party is fairly represented by these men and their allies allover the land If Seymour could have been elected without bringing his principles into power, there would have been no such severe contest as we have had. Does this gentleman fancy that now, with the election ten days off, he can make people believe that all this bother has been about his individual opinions and intentions; that he is the party, as well as the pivot of the party; that any thing he may now say will be regarded as a denial or even a modification of the dangerous doctrines which his party has been convicted of sustaining? If so .he is not the shrewd politician he has been heretofore reckoned.

"No, Mr. Seymour, this fight is between organizations, and not between men. Even were you ever so well disposed, you could not control in the smallest degree the action of the party whose candidate you are. And the people know that you are not well disposed "

Library of Congress, Periodicals and Microfilms, New York Tribune May thru August, 1868
June 1, 1868, "Gen. Grant's Platform," red re:acceptance]

"... The General replied with his usual brevity "If the proper function of a President, as of an Emperor, were to control and shape the legislative policies of the country, and if Congress were only designed, like the Corps Legislatif of France, to record and ascent, or mildly and ineffectually object to such policies as the President might adopt, then Gen. Grant [in saying he'll "have no policy of my own"] ... would be pledging himself in advance to shirk the principal duties of his office. We have had many Presidents, from the despotic but able Jackson down to the equally despotic but feeble Johnson, who have attempted to imperialize the Presidential office. The lower orders of mankind, in Republics as well as in Empires, stand always ready to shout for a man, but are not so quick to Krasp a principle, and hence are the natural allies of an imperializing and usurping President, and the natural enemies of the supremacy of the le~islative body and of the laws. After the mischiefs to which the country has been subject by Andrew Johnson's efforts to coerce Congress and the people into the adoption of his individual whims and notions, it is refreshing to hear ... that he [our next P~.esident] is to have no policy of his own to interpose against the popular will as expressed in Congress. This is the true theory of the President's office. He is not elected to make laws, but to enforce them "But let the people bear in mind that by the very terms of his pledge the future political and legislative policies of the country will not be determined merely by the election.of Grant, but must depend on the majorities in both Houses of Congress By the very terms of his pledge, the success of Republican principles on any question is not won by the election of Gen. Grant, but will throughout his administration depend upon the ability of the Republican party to maintain its majorities in both Houses of congress. If Con~ress remains Republican, Gen. Grant executes Republican laws without question. If Congress becomes Democratic, he executes Democratic policies with equal readiness and decision. This we believe to be in accordance with the true theory of republican government and the very highest statesmanship and soundest policy possible in an executive officer. But it divests the election of a President, considered in itself merelY, of much of what we have been accustomed to regard as its political effect, and it gives us merely a good Executive, not a mighty champion of our favorite ideas..."