Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-10-20
THE lPREsIDESCY.
Letter OF Gen. DIX.

O c,mmittce Of ths Republican mass meeting
held 10 Independence square, Philsdelpbis,
on Saturday, by tMsior-Gen. John A. Dix
,., tl .bla New YORK. Oct. 6.
GENTLEMEN: have received you invi-
tation to address the mass meeting TO he
held in Independence square on Saturday.
The duties incident to the active command
Of military department render 1t impos
sible for me to attend public meetings, or
make political speeches. But | accede with
pleasure to your request to write you let
ter -..rr l..tr.. lr..'... -c.L
There is but one question before the
country in the approaching canvass. Shall
we prosecute the war with unabsted vigor
until the rebel forces lay down their arms;
Or shall we. to use the language of the Chi
cago Convention, make immediate efforts"
for, "a cessation Of hosfilities. with view to
.an'ultimate convention OF all the States,
&c" f...t.,
Believing that the latter measure, for
whatever purpose adopted. would lead in
evitably to a recognition fthe independence
of the insurgent States; and believing, more.
over, that true policy, as well as true mercy,
always demands, in the unhappy exi0encies
ofwar. steady and upwaveriog application
OF all the means and all the energies at com
mand until the object of the war is accom-.
plisbed. 4, shall oppose the measure in
every form in which opposition is likely to
be effective. tAsr.... .re.1r
General, Mcclellan, the candidate Of the
Chicago Convention, by force Of his position,
must be deemed TO approve all the declara-
tions with which he was presented TO the
country, unless he distinctly disavows them.
Unfortunately. he il silent on the only ques
tioH in regard to which the people cared
that he should speak. He does not say
whether he is in tavor of a cessation of
hostilities- the measure announced by those
whoinon,inated " him as the basis for action
in case Of his election-or whether lie is
opposed tc it.. He does not meet the aucs-
tion with manly trankness. as lam confident
he would have done ii he had taken counsel
of his own instincts instead Of yielding to
the subtle suggestions of politicigns. The
Chicago Convention presented distinct is
sue to the people As the nominees Of the
Convention he was bound Ia accept Or re-
pudiate IT,. He has done neither; andwhat-
ever inference may be drawn ftom his
silence. either the War Democrats or tie
Peace Democrats must be deceived. ms,
In calling for a cessation of hostilitics the
members 0fthe Chicago Convention have,
in my Judgment totally misrepresentedtte
feelings and opinions of the great toly of
the Democfecy. The policy proc aimed in
it's name makes it, s, far a. a declaration
can. what it has never been before--a peace
party in war, degrading It from the emf.
nence on which it has stood iu every other
national conflict. In this injustice ,to, tn.
country, and to a great party identified with
all that il honorable in our history. l can
have no part j can only mourn over the
reproach which has been brought upon il
by it's leaders, and cherish the hope that it
may hereafter. under the auspices Of better
cnnnsellOrs, resume its ancient effective and
the Government. lH " '1"'' ~ "'"i'
70 Does any one doubt as to the true cause
of our national cnlnmities? believe il to be
fund in the management ofthe leaders of
both the principal political parties during
the last quarter Of century. In 1910 tho
great men of the Wing party Webster,
Clay and others- men of universally ac-
knowlcdped ability and long experience in
civil lfe--were thrust aside, and General
Harrison a man of very moderate capacity,
was selected as it, candidate for the Presi
dency. The principle of availability, as it
was termed. was adopted as the rule of
selection, and the question of fitness became
obsolete. Seal trn- ". -gar .'.
In 1874 the Democratic party followed
the successful example Of it's opponents in
1870 1t put aside Van Buren, Oass, Marcy
and its other eminent statesmen, md
brought forward Mr.. Polka man of merely
ordinary ability. Parties which have neither
the courage or the virtue to stand by their
greatest and best men soon fall into hope
less demnra li2ation. 40
Under such o system or political manage
nent no government can last long. know
it is not easy to change what such lapse Of
time has fastened npon ns. Till this reform
shall come, my advice TO the great body Of
the people is to hold fast to their TRADITION
ary principles and COOL name hy giving an
earnest support t, the war, and to scan with
the severest scrutiny the conduct Of those
who control party movements The only
hope lett 10 us lies in the patriotism and
disinterestedness OF the great body. Of the
people Of all parties, who are facing the
enemies OF tleir country IN the battle field
with heroism unsurpassed in any age, or
who ut home, amid the prevailing tumnlt
and disorder. are working out, in the quiet
pursuit of,their varied occupations, the mo
,nenrous problem Of, the public prosperity
and safety. When they shall send out fresh
from their own ranks new men TO consult
together tor the salvation Of oil that is most
precious in government and society, there
will I've can,e for hope and faith in our re-
demptian from impeBiinr evils and dan
rer,j bearing. in the meaptime. as well as
we can. the heavy burdens which have been
cast turon us by quarter of IA century of
political imi-mansge,Dpnt and public mi-rnlA.
III Is time The people should understand
these truths. No one. perhaps, can tell
them with more propfietyt than myself hav
ing BEEN. much Of the period referred to, 10
public life, fruiilessly coniending against
party eontrivauces which have involved the
country in allthe evils of civilsnife. Il lam
very respectfully. yours. JOHN A. DIX.
JAS H.. ORNE. Chairman, &c. ha 9'.i
,CADwABADER BDDLE, tSec'y "4o9 'fd'
ag.f sIediterranean wheat. ~ =.