The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-10-01

Gen. Dix, the American Minister at Paris,
has sent the following letter to friend in
New-York. 1t was not written for publ
cation, but the gentleman, to whom it was
addressed has consented to give it to the
public:
PARIS, Sept. 4, 1868.
My DEAR SIR 1t was my hope that my
distance from home would have secured me
from all participation in the political ex-
citement prevailing there But l notice
an announcement in one of the newspa-
pers that am heart and hand with Mr.
Seymour l am not aware of anything i6
the present or the past, which could right
fully subject me TO such an imputation
have been acquainted with NJ. Sey-
mour more than quarter of century
He is an amiable gentleman of unexception-
able private character, and of respectable
talents. But you know as we'll as l 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 il that firm
ness of purpose, which, in critical emer-
gencies, is the only safeguard against puo-
lie disorder and calamity. He has been
twice, at different times, Governor of the
State of New ork and be 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 juncture, when steadiness
| of purpose, decision, aud seR-control are
so much needed, as one Of the greatest Ca
| lamities that could betall the country
Moreover, he has been put in nomina-
tion by convention which has openly de-
clared the purpose of those it represents,
| to pay the greater part of the public debt,
contracted to preserve the Union, in de-
preciated paper. Such a measure would,
in my jud gmeut, be palpable violation
Of the public faith, pledge under circum-
stances which should have been binding
on all honorable men MIR. Seymour has
made public speeches to show that it is
oUr duty to pay the debt In specie. In
aceep pting his nomination to the Presiden-
cy he adopts the declaration that II ought
to be paid ip paper / know nothing so
humiliatiEg In the history of American
politics as this sergiversaion. Itwas per-
haps, not unfit that Mr. Seymour, atter
| presiding in 1864 over the Chicago Con
ventioa, which declared the war failure,
should preside over the convention of 1868,
in which a proposition to diseredit 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 National tuFpitude.
| / do not believe that the wishes or opin-
ions of the great body of the Democratic
party are fairly expressed IN these preeeed-
| ings They have nothing IN common with
the statesmanlike views of policy, and the
high sense of national honor, which guild
ed the party when Martin Van Buren,
William l.. Marcy, Silas Wright, Lewis
| Cass, and Stephen A. Douglas were among
its most conspicuous members.
I see but one source of safety for the
country under existing circumstances,
and that is In the election of Gen. Grant
In his decision of character, good sense,
| moderation, and disinterested patriotism,
| | believe the South will have far better
hope ofregaining the position in the Union
TO which it is entitled, than under a man
whose political career has been in nothing
more conspicuously marked than in an ut
ter in6rmity of purpose.
/ Independently of all these considera-
tiors, | should be greatly surprised if the
people of the United States were to elect
as their Chief Magistrate, a man who was
making, at the Academy of Music, on the
4th of July, 1868, a speech, deficient OF
all the characteristics of an elevated love
of country, at the very hour when Gen.
Grant was carrying the victorious arms of
the Union into Vicksburg, and when thous-
ands of our fellow-countrymen were pour
ing out their blood on the plains of Get
tysburg, in defense of their homes, and
the Government which Mr.. Seymour was
doing all in his power to embaIrass and
discredit.
1 am 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 I AN particularly de-
sirous of removing the impression, If it
exists, that 1 am in favor of Mr.. Seymour,
or the repudiation of any portion of the
public debt 1 am, dear sir, very truly
yours, JOHN ~. DlA'
Un~nS GcaRRRhackS and TROEHS