One whose name and deeds are familiar to the people of the whole Union
was Horatio Seymour, the most eminent and notable of the later Governors
of New York. Born May 31st, 1810, at Pompey, Onondaga county, New York;
a hamlet in what was then almost a wilderness.
When he was nine years of age his parents moved to Utica. His school
education was obtained at the academies of Oxford and Geneva, New York,
and Partridge's military school, Middletown, Connecticut. He studied the
science of law, and fitted himself for the profession, being admitted to
the bar in 1832, but the death of his father devolved upon him the
settlement of a large estate. This withdrew him from his intended
calling, but enabled him to give ample time and attention to reading,
for he had an intense thirst for knowledge.
His public life began with his appointment as military secretary to
Governor Marcy. Martin Van Buren is said to have seen with his keen eye
the valuable qualities in the young man, and the appointment was made at
his instance. Seymour held this place through Marcy's three terms,
1833-39, and being very young, he became enamored with public life. In
1841 he was elected to the State Assembly as a Democrat, was re-elected
three times, and in 1845 was chosen speaker, which office he filled with
dignity and courtesy toward all. In 1842, while in the assembly, he was
elected Mayor of Utica for one year, and was especially interested in
all public matters pertaining to the welfare of that city.
In 1850 Mr. Seymour was an unsuccessful candidate for governor of his
native State, being defeated by his personal friend, Washington Hurt, by
a plurality of only 262 votes. Considering the hopeless condition of the
Democratic party at that time, and his majority of 20,000 over the same
competitor two years later, we can imagine something of his popularity
at this early period. His first term as the executive of New York was
marked by his veto of the prohibitory law which had been passed by the
legislature, but his action in regard to the speedy completion of all
public works then in progress and the interest he manifested in the
diffusion of public education was very exemplary. However, in the
ensuing election he was defeated by a plurality, this time, of only 309
votes. In 1862 Mr. Seymour was again elected governor over Wadsworth by
nearly 11,000 majority.
The breaking out of the civil war found Mr. Seymour allied to that
element of the Democratic party which made its views formally known at
what has passed into history as the "Tweedle Hall" meeting. He was one
of the principal speakers at this memorable peace convention and
employed his eloquence in behalf of concession and conciliation, and
pointedly inquired: "Shall we compromise after war or without war?" His
position was analogous with many of the great men in both parties at
this time. When hostilities had really begun his tone changed, and in
his inaugural address, January 1st, 1863, his position was clearly
defined as follows: "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 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."
President Lincoln telegraphed Mr. Seymour asking if he could raise and
forward forthwith 20,000 troops to assist in repelling the threatened
invasion by Lee, of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Within three days 12,000
soldiers were on their way to Gettysburg. The draft riots next occupied
his attention. The National government passed a conscription act, March
3rd, enrolling all able-bodied citizens, between twenty and forty-five
years of age, and in May the President ordered a draft of three hundred
thousand men. The project was exceedingly unpopular, and was bitterly
denounced on every hand, says Barnes. The anti-slavery measure of the
administration had already occupied widespread hostility to the war.
While Pickett's noble southern troops were assaulting Cemetery Ridge at
Gettysburg, inflammatory handbills were being circulated in New York
city, which brought on a riot July 13th. The mob rose in arms, sacked
houses, demolished the offices of the provost-marshal, burned the
colored orphan asylum, attacked the police, and chased negroes; even
women and children, wherever found, were chased, and if caught hung to
the nearest lamp-post. Two millions of dollars' worth of property was
destroyed. The Governor immediately went to New York, and on the 14th he
issued two proclamations; one calling on the rioters to disperse; the
other declaring the city in a state of insurrection. He divided the city
into districts, which were placed under the control of military men, who
were directed to organize the citizens; and 3,000 stands of arms were
issued to these and other organizations. Boats were chartered to convey
policemen and soldiers to any point on the shores of the island where
disturbances were threatened. The Governor visited all the riotous
districts in person, and by persuasion, as well as by the use of the
force at his command, aided in quelling the disturbance.
During his term Governor Seymour commissioned more than 13,000 officers
in the volunteer service of the United States. In August 1864 he
presided over the Democratic National Convention at Chicago which
nominated General McClellan for the presidency. Four years later, much
against his will, he was nominated for the presidency himself and was
defeated by General Grant, as any nominee of the Democratic party at
that time would have been. He then retired to private life, dwelling in
elegant repose at his pleasant home near Utica, New York, until his
death which occurred February 12th, 1886.
His occasional addresses were charming to the hearer, and no man could
deliver a more edifying speech at any celebration. He was an ardent
lover of American history, particularly the history of his native State,
and on all State topics he discoursed with learning and a charm
peculiarly original. Notwithstanding the high position held by Mr.
Seymour among the great men of his time his funeral was very simple.
Rev. Dr. A. B. Goodrich offered a prayer at the residence of ex-Senator
Roscoe Conkling, his brother-in-law, after which the regular services
were conducted at the old Trinity Church. After the services the body
was borne to Forest Hill Cemetery and placed in the Chapel of Roses.