The New York herald., 1863-10-27

John A. Dix commander Of the Department Of the East
visited the harbor yesterday TO inspect Fort winthrop
and the different positions which have been determined
upon most available defence the city from hostile
attack. These localities were not inspected by the
General on his recent tour Of observation previous
visit to Portland The party included the City Council
Among them were Colonel Frank E. Howe, Captains
Barstow and Won Eckstedt Major Charles T. Dix OF
Col Adams, Of Goycanor Andrews mIIitary staff Major
Rodman OF teh United States Ordnance Department in
Professor e. n. Horsord, Of tho Harbor Defence Com
mission; Colonel 4. Z. Chickerng Of the Third Massa
chuset.s cavalry and others:
s SPEECH OF MAI. GEN. DIX.
Mr.. MxToR-I owe you many thanks for tho kind words
OF welcome which yoa have addressed me- an you,
gentlemen for the manner In which you have united in
them I owe you also and other 'citizeus or Boston,
& hosptalitsee which It is not in my power accept
There are few places where such friendly Offices could
your city IS not merely that which stranger might
find in its historical associations s emnence Ia learning
and literature and In the manly earnsstness with which
just Applause II is not every man who Is Fortunate
enough to become familiar with the Developments Of
two centuries ana more of your municipal life. Non
eris honni cont0it adfrs Corihum. MY good fortune
has been than this, for here In my early
boyhOod that receved undor the guidance Of Of
your Intellectual men, the training which has proved fer
more useful 70 than any other In the battle ef lfe
GENTLY your important hafbor was defended against OK
ternal attack Although much remains to be done to
IL,
your main channels defended by powerful batteries
and guns Of the most approved construction am happy
we'll trained and instructed in their duties that
slider che provision ample for present want and that
II would have been much more agreeable 70 me- sontle
men, and to yen all We could have under different
raging in the sosss-s war Tor which G the % crinOs su.
thors will bo held before God and man TO fearful
ossns 70: i os her. as sS day
from New York eassward, and thus far on my
single sign Of Some branches Of indurtsy are
doubtodfy disturbed, but none, believe, completely
broken up or turned wholly out or their accustomed
channels No field bears vestige Of the march or the
shock Of hostile arniesno dwelling has been gwen 10
been piaged~no family has becn driven from is home;
but for the bereaved soSrrowing for the
tant battle fields the constitutional govern
ment there would not be- either on the external features
nG OF an v s
its retribuye JUSTICE has caused the desoaton and the
horrors OF tho conflict to fan chiefly on lie guilty authors
termination Of the people to uphold the authority OF the
| government has never been for a moment shaken II
had ever entertained doubt Q never havel, would
have been disspated by recent events; and may
slider that the dsinerested and the patriotic
OF oil parties determined to sustain the govern.
ment 90 long as its existence is in peril-no matter by
whom II Is admnistoredand aid in carrying II success
fully through the war which we are waging for the pre-
seryation Of the nat ional honor and the national e
(Cries Of "Good," and appausc) II ia great mistake
10 suppose gentlemen, that the people viii permit tho
issue before us-nvolvpg principles vital to the stability
OF the repubcte be tried on questions subordinate 10 IT,
TO s t6s Conflict which Is SHAKING
political system 10 its CENTRE Parties which always find
II dcult however fearful the dangers which threat
cnpg lay aside their hereditary animosties cannot
understand this and they yanly rely the influence Of
the old organizations and the selfish interests which
apt gather around them But the great heart Of the
people beats responsvey to the magnitude Of every ap
peal to IL. comprehends with unerrng instinct the
s s E Ta + US
mine, and the lives Of our children. (Appause) Gen.
temen, the man q to be greatly commiserated who
has not, under the pressure OF impending owls
like these, clear comprehension OF his duty; but hap
PLY, the paths Of duty and OF ltinerest In the
same dreclope direction as plain to those who ore only
anxious g know how they can be most yssly tie com.
Try as 70 him yhD Xes psIT0Ms; y. Cree O. thought.
,o hHw ,e tSoua can So S e 81 s 70
ments, is In the end unerring and sure. The who,
in the hour Of bis countrys greatest peril sinks away
public enemy either by sullen inaction by open re.
stance to measures necessary to successful conduct Of
the neod not thereafter look 10 the PEOPLE for sup
port (Cries OF "Goodv and applause) They never as
our political history atests forget in6dely the ccun.
try or In lis service (applausc
sons OF public And the instinct Of parties docs
often lead them 10 place at their head whose
public eonduc, there can DC odna no ausu,y OF
gentlcmen, that our public men win not ali
n and bring a. the Of the
questions be disposed Of when the great issue Of life
death to our political institutions shall be settled sd
when VIC shall have put down by force those who have
appealed force for the adjustment Of controversies
which ought have been referred tho peaceful ar
tramont OF opinion. (Appause) Gentlemen, us not
forget that this 10 be prosecuted with ncunqucra
bio determination, but not in spirit Of raucor or re
vcnge that while the sword should never be permitted
TO depart from the active agencies OF the rebellion until
they are completely ovcrthrown and expelled from the
country which they have betrayed aud dosol,ted ri
mean tho men who have for years been engaged 10
shaping the ends OF dsccrd dssolution)let us re
member that there underlying clements OF union on
shall be ghtcned, for earnest cooperation 10 restor
ing wherever has been subverlod the ancient system
OF government and law. (Applause.) There arc mutt
tudes In tho south Il do not speak without knowledgr)
who cherish in their hearts the sacred memories OF Inc
past. They will, II not driven % despair los
selves 10 establishing tho Unee, TLcy win unite
with under the old consttution oxpounded by ths
Rcnu5 OF webster and defended by the vgor OF ,rrsof
10 rcopening tho great sources q prosperity and
POWER. q sas spplarsc) II We true 20 ourselves
cISve that we who ttand here to-day VIII al no dfslani
period see the sia,ea gsaps e.a tg authority OF tnc
government 70 established every pcta Q. our wide
dominion, and that may feel tgsn,ds IN ihe boiler
days OF the repYblio, that ARD iviry rhicr s5cia
mrcrfeotous OF eripg men. Btl leading yo,, into
train OF thought fat too extended Dor an ION l
this. will only add ia word TINT n auythna shali bs
needed 10 the administration OF this portion OF my mil
tary department x VIII not escape tho scrutlny of vosi
vigiant and jealous Chief MasSra,c and Msvor. WHO
have douo 80 much to bring 70 the support OF The govern
mont tho resources OF patriotic State ana ia M
essential 10 the interests OF your city or tc
larger interest OF the Union you uon me t
e9nadonoe Tor the most rfompi ani cordial operation
Bosros xrsrciAss osG srRlKr-rhs professional mi
Clans Of Boston aud vicinity conprisng the uembors