The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-09-24
: Zen. Dix for Gran. and Colfax.

General Dix, the American Minister to Par
is has sent the following letter to friend in
New York city. 1t was not written for publ
cation, but the gentleman to whom it was ad-
dressed has consented to give it to the public
in view of the facts that the General, while in
command at New York in 1863, had better op-
portunlties than any one else to comprehend
the real character and purposes of Gov. Sew.
mour, and that lie is a man singularly dispas-
slonate and unprejudiced, the Judgment
which he pronounces upon the character of
the latter is entitled to especial weight The
striking contrast between Grant aid Seymour,
exhibited ON the Fourth Of July, 1868, is very
pointedly indicated. The whole letter is most
timely, and will have an excellent effect:
PARIS, Sept. A. 1868.
My Dear Sir: 1t was my hope that my dis
tance from home woud have saved me from
all participation in the political excitement
prevailing there, hut l notice in one of the
newspapers that l am heart and hand with
Mr. Seymour. l am not aware of anything in
the present past which could rightly sub
iect me to such an imputation have been
acquainted with Mr.. Seymour more than a
quarter of a century He is an amiable gem
teman, of unexceptionable private character
and respectable talents; but you know as we'll
as | that he has not single qualification for
the successful execution of the high official
trust to which he has been nominated, and he
is especially deficient in that firmness of pur-
pose which, in critical emergencies, Is the on
ly safeguard against public disorder and ca
lamty. He has been twice, at different times,
Governor of the State of New York. and he
has in neither case had the talent-or the tact
to keep the Democratic party of the State
together more than two years.
should regard his election at this i1ncta,re.
.,oIen Steddiness Of purpose, decision and self
control are so much needed as one of the qredt-
est cala,nities that could betaH the country
moreover, he has been put in nomination by
a convention which has openly declared the
purpose OF those il represents to pay the great
err part of the public debt, contracted to pre-
serve the Union, in deprecated paper. Such
a measure would, in my Judgment be palpa-
be violation of the public faith, pledged I'M
der circumstances which should have been
binding on all honorable men.
Mr.. Seymour has made public speeches to
show that it is our duty to pay the debt in spe-
| Gle In accepting his nomination to the Pres
| idency he adopts the declaration that it ought
| to be paid in paper. L know nothing so humil-
| iating in the history of American politics as
this regeneration. 1t was, perhaps, not unfit
that Mr. Seymour, after presiding, in 1864 over
the Chicago Convention, which declared the
war failure, should preside over the conven-
ton OF 1868, in which proposition to discred-
it the debt contracted to carry on the war was
received with tremendous cheering, and that
| he should be the chosen instrument to execute
| this act of turpitude.
| do not believe that the wishes or opinions
| OF the great body of tn Democratic party are
| fairly expressed in these proceedings They
| have nothing in common with the statesmen
| like views of policy and the high sense Of ma.
| tional honor which guided the party when
| Martin Van Buren,, VIM. L. Marcy, Silas
| Wright, Lewis Cass and Stephen A Douglas
We're among its most conspicuous members
see but one source Of safety for the country
| under existing circumstances, and that is tht
| election of Gen. Grant On his decision o.
character good sense, moderation and diSi1lter
| eSted patriotism, IbelieUe the South aciU haze 9
| far better hope Of regaininy the position IN tn
| Union to which 1t is entitled, than uader man
9Ch0Se political career has been in NOTHING nlOrt
| cORSpicuOusty marked than in an utter infrmita
| Of purpose.
| Independently of all these considerations
| should be greatly surprised if the people o
| the United States were to elect as their Chic
Magistrate man who was making, at the
| Academy of Music, on the 4th of July, 1863
| speech deficient in the characteristics of al
elevated love of country, at the very hou
| General Grant was carrying the victorious
| arms of the Union into Vicksburg and wheI
| pouring out their blood on the plains of Get
| tysburg in defence of their homes and the gov
| eminent which Mr.. Seymour was doing all il
| his power 10 embarrass and discredit
am quite willing that you should show this
| letter to any friends who may take an interes
| in my opinion in regard to the coming elec
| ton; and L am particularly DESTROYS of remov.
ing the impression (if it exists that l am in IA
| voro of Mr.. Seymour or the reputation of any
| portion OF the public debt. L am, dear sir
| very truly yours,
(Signed) JOHN A. DIX.