The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-09-25
o,,. Dr. for Gra.s and co,|s-.

General Dir. the American Minister 10 Paris,
has sent the following letter TO friend In New
York city. II was not written for publication,
but the gentleman to whom Il was addressed
has consented to give Il to the public. In view
OF the fActs that the General, while in command
at New York in 1868. had better opportunities
than any one else to comprehend the real char
scter and purposes Of Gov. Seymour, and that
he Is man singularly dispassionsts and un-
prejudicei, the Judgment which he pronounces
upon the character Of the latter is entitled to
espe,ial weight. The striking contrast between
Grant and Seymour. exhibited on the Fourth Of
July, 1853, is very pointedly indicated. The
whole letter il most timely. and will have an
excellent effect; o
Nv Dsar Sir 1T was my hope that my
distance from home would have saved me from
al participation in the political excitement pre-
yailing there, but notice In one Of the news
papers that am heart and hand with Mr.. Sey-
mour. am not aware Of anything In the past
or the present which could rightly subject me
10 such an imputation. have been acquainted
with Mr.. Seymour more than . quarter Of .
century. He Is an amiable gentleman, Of un-
exceptionable private character and respectable
talents; but you know a. well a. that he has
not single qualification for the successful exc
cution Of the high official trust to which he has
been nominated, and he Is especially deficient In
that 6rmness Of purpose which, In critical emer-
gencies, ID the only safeguard against public dis
order and calamity. He has been twice, at diff
ferent times, Governor Of the State Of New
York, and no has in neither case had the tai
ent-or the tactic keep the Democratic party
Of the State together more than two years.
Ishould resurd ais election at his Junefsrs,
srhsn stsadiness Of purpose. deeisioS and se!|
eosfrol are 90 much needed, az one OF hs
grsatssf eaianifiss that could 6sfaH ns eoSn-
try.
convention which has openly declared the pur-
pose Of those Il represents, to pay the greater
part Of the public debt, contracted TO- preserve
the Union, in deprecated paper. Such meas
ure would, in my Judgment, BE- q palp"ele vio-
lation Of the public faith, pledged under cir
al honorable men.
Mr.. Seymour has made public speeches to
show that Il Is our duty 10 pay the debt in spe-
Gle. In accepting his nomination to the Presi-
dency he adopts the declaration that Il ought to
Be paid In paper. know nothing 20 humilia-
ting In the history Of American politics as this
regeneration. Il was, perhaps, not unfit that
Mr.. Seymour, amer presiding. in 1864, over the
Chicago Convention, which declared the war .
failure, should pSside over the convention Of
1868, in which proposition to discredit the
debt contracted to carry on the war was TO
ccived with tremendous cheericg, 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 the Democratic party are fair
ly expressed in these proceedings. They have
nothing in common with the statesmanlike views
Of policy and the high sense Of national honor
which guided the patty when Martin Van Blu
rem. VIM. L. Marcy, Silas Wright, Lewis Cas-,
and Stephen A. Douglass were among its most
conspicuous members.
Isee out one source Of safety for Tie country
under sristing circumstances, dnd that 70 the
election Of Gen. Grant. On his decision Of
character, good ssnss. moderation and disintsr-
ssisi patriotism, I6eiiere the South tciH haze a
far better hope Of reyainiag hs position in the
Union to rAicA 10 10 entitled, than under
man tehose political career has been in nothing
more marked han in an utter infrmiiy Of pur
pose.
Independently Of all these considerations I
should be greatly surprised IL the people Of the
United States were to elect a. their Chief Mag
istrste man who was making at the Academy
Of Music, on the 4th Of July, 1868, speech de-
6cient in the characteristics Of an elevated love
Of country, at the very hour Gen. Grant was
carrying the victorious arms Of the Union into
Vicksburg, and when thousands Of our fallen
countrymen were pouring out their blood on the
plains Of Gettysburg In defence Of their homes
and the government which Mr.. Seymour was
doing all in his power to embarass and dis
credit.
I an quite willing that you should show this
letter to any friends who may take an interest
In my opinion in regard to the coming election;
and am particularly DESTROYS Of removing the
impression (if Il exists) that am in favor
Of Mr.. Seymour or the repudiation Of any por-
ton Of the public debt I am, dear sir. very
truly yours,
(Sigued) JonS A. DIX.