Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-10-01
LETTER FROM GEN. ]. A. DIX.
He Comes Out Strong for Grant.

NEw YoRK. September 22d.-General Dix,
the American Minister 10 France, has sent
the following letter to friend in this city.
1t was not written for publication, but the
gentleman to whom it was addressed has con-
sented to give it to the public:
"PARIs, September 4, 1868.
"MY DEAR SIR-It was my hope that my
distance from home would have saved me
from all participation in the political excite
ment prevailing there; but notice in one of
the newspapers that / am heart and hand
with Mr.. Seymour. | am not aware of any
thing in the present or the past which could
rightfully subject me to such an imputation
| have been acquainted with Mr.. Seymour
more than q quarter of century. he is an
amiable gentleman, of unexceptionable pri-
yate character and respectable talents; but you
know as well as l that he has not single
qualification for the successful execution ofthe
high official trust to which he has been nomi-
mated; and he is especially deficient in that
firmness of purpose which, in critical emer
gencies. is the only safeguard against public
disorder and calamity. He has been twice,
at different times, Governor of the State of
New York, and he has in neither case had
talent or tact TO keep the Democratic party of
the State together more than two years.
should regard his election at this juncture,
when steadiness of purpose, decision and self
control are so much needed, as one OF the
greatest calamities that could befall the coun-
try.
Moreover, he has been put in nomination
by convention which has openly declared
the purpose of those it represents, to pay the
greater part of the public debt, contracted to
preserve the Union, in deprecated paper.
Such measure would in my Judgment be q
palpable violation of the public faith, pledged
under circumstances which should have been
binding on all honorable men. Seymour has
made public speeches to show that it is our
duty to pay the debt in specie. In accepting
his nomination to the Presidency, he adopts
the declaration that it ought to be paid in
paper. know nothing so humiliating in the
history of American politics as this tergiver-
sation. 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 convention OF
1868, in which a proposition to dlscredis the
debt contracted to carry on the war, was Re.
ceived with tremendous cheering, and tna1 ne
should be the chosen instrument 70 execuSe
this act of national turpitude- l 40 nos aat
lieve that the wishes or :. Unions OF sne
body of the Democratic party are la,ry ave
pressed in these proceedings. srI;te i
rrnth;nz in common with the statesmannA1
views Of policy and the high sense Of nsf,Oe Msen
honor which guided the party: .,sn wnen Wr;gSt %S
Van Buren,, VIM. L. Yaneey' Snnalo" Sl,as - were
Lewis Cass and Stephen A. poSg.a' Sera
among the most conspicleus, meHuei ens .hs oonn
II see but one source Q. ss,esy .0 and % that s
.tI ILJ eIset;on of General Grant. On his decls.
;n ;,e If character, good sense, moderation. and
d;sinterested ,G, patriotism, believe the South