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.
