Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-09-16
From the Washington Union
Gen. D,x,s Position. HiOn'

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From the Washington Union
Gen. Dix's Position.
The appointment of Gen. Dix to office by pros;
dent Pierce has furnished his assailants with cor
slant theme for invective and ytuperation l. III
been denounced, again and again, act of bad
faith to the national democracy and as yiola,;on
of the principles and pledges of his inaugural IA
dress. Gen. Dix has been held up as the chief of
soi'ers and his promotion to Office relied unon
as proof that the President entertained symnatba
with abolitionism and free-solism. The answer ~
these assaults has been, that the Presidentha ma5
the appointment with satisfactory knowledge that
Gen. Dix was standing honestly on the creed adon
ted at Baltimore, and that his high character for n
tegrity furnished the best guarantee that he would
adhere to that creed with fidelity. The prominent
and effective part which he had taken in the nrps;
dental canvass, and the prompt and Jealous support
which he gave to the nomination of the Convention
were referred to corroborative evidence of the
soundness of his present position. There was ona
thing, however, which created some embarrassment
in making out Il complete vindication- Gen
D KS acts were satisfactory there no precise
declaration of his record as far as vie have oh.
served, that he had adopted and was standing upon
the Baltimore platform That evidence, however
is supplied and we take pleasure in laying it.
before readers Gen. Dix has written letter
to gentleman in Georgia, which we find in the
Consttutionalst, which defines his position With
clearness and precision. 1t is as follows:
Dear Sir Il have just received your favor Of
the Goth instant, stating that am represented BIZ
wing presses and itnerant orators in Georgia as an
aboltonist, &C., and thank you for the opportuni
ty you have afforded me to say in reply:
LIST. That am not, and neUer haze been, an aboli-
ZIONIST in any of tkat term. On the contrarH
haze been an open and uniform opponent of oil aboli
ton movements an tas State and elSemhere since then
commenced an 1885 to the present time. While in the
Senate of the United States opposed the extension
&C ri.
tinct from interference with slavery where it al
ready exists. In the latter case, have steadily CD.
posed all external interference with it.
I'd. That have on all occasions, public and pri-
vate, since the fugitiveslave law passed. declared
myself in favor of carrying it into execution in good
faith, like every other law of the land.
Sd. That was in favor of the union of the de-
mocracy of this State which was consummated in
1850, continued in 1851 on the basis of the CON-
promise measures, and in 1852 on the basis of the
Baltimore platform.
4th That have since the Baltimore Convention
in June 1852, repeatedly given my public assent to
its proceedings and acquiesced in It's declarations
an adjustment of disturbing questions by which
was willing to abide.
On these points may write you more fully in a
few days; and in the mean time you at liberty
to this brief reply to your note you may
think proper
am, dear sir, very respectfully, yours,
JOHN A. DIX
We are sure that the friends of the President will
be gratihed 10 how triumphantly this letter vnd
Gates the appointment of General Dix. Ii shows how
unreasonably and recklessly he has been assailed
whilst it furnishes additional proof that he has been
true to his faith and 10 the principles of the
tional democracy in making his appointments. He
knew Gen Dix personally and intimately he knew
his antece1ents, and be knew his present position
He knew him to be gentleman of high attanmens
and of unquestonahe integrity and having the most
satisfactory of the soundness of his views
to the national platform, he di not hesitate 10
fde in him as true national democrat.
We cannot conclude without expressing the hope
that the noble example set by General Dix will make
and impression upon all who profess to be national
democrats, and claim fellowship with the party as
such. They, and they alone, fully vndicate the
policy of the President in recognising national dem
ocrats all who adopt and acquiesce in the platform.
II is due TO themselves that their enemies and the
mics of the President should be senced and dsarmed
and this they effect by removing all for
doubt cav as to their position by following the ex-
ample of General Dix. No personal jelousy false
pride should be allowed to subject the orthodoxy OF
those recognised national democrats by the admin.
lstration to criticism or controversy The President
has discharged his duty to them, and shown his
dence in them, but have they all stepped forward
became them to sustain him when he has been assail
ed for their sake? Many have done so, and we hon
or them for it-those who have not would do well
to delay no longer.