Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-30
Letter from General Dix,
HIS OPINION or GOV. SEYMOUR.

Gen. Dix, the American Minister to France,
has sent the following letter to a friend in
New York. 1t was not written for pubica-
ton, but the gentleman to whom it was ad-
dressed has consented to give it to the public
Pans, Sept. 4, 1868.
My Dear SIR 1T was my hope that my dis
tsnce from home would have saved me from all
participation in the political excitement prevailing
there, but notice In one of the newspapers that
am heart and hand with Mr.. Seymour | am not
aware of anything in the present the past which
could rightly subject me to such an imputation.
have been acquainted with Mr.. Seymour more
than n quarter of century. lie is an amiable
gentleman, of unexcepionable private character
and respectable talents; but you know as well as
l that he has not single qualification for the
successful execution Of the high official trust to
which q h ~ been nominated and he IL especially
deficient ia that frmness of purpose which, in
critical vnrgei ties, is the only safeguard against
public d-prder and calamity. lie has been twice,
at differ Ut 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.
-hOuld regard his election at this juncture,
when steadiness OF purpose, decision and self
control are much needed, as one OF the great
est canmites that could befall the country.
More 'ver, he has been put In nomination by a
toh''HN"h winch has opthil uttihTtu TIE pur.
pose of tase 1t represents to pay the greater part
Of the pub ic debt contracted 10 preserve the
Union, in deprecated paper. Such a measure
would, in my Judgment, be a palpabe violation
of the put ic faith, pledged under circumstances
which shou d have been binding ON all honorable
men.
Mr.. Seym ,ur has made public speeches to show
that II is our duty to pay the debt in specie In
accepting lis nomination to the Presidency he
adopts the declaration that 1t ought to be paid 10
paper. know nothing 50 humiatng In the his
tory Of American politics as this tergiversation.
1t was, perhaps, not unfit that Mr.. Seymour az.
ter presiding, In 1864. over the Chicago Conven-
ton, which declared the war failure, should
preside over the Convention of 1868, in which a
proposition 10 discrldit the debt contracted to
carry on the war was received with tremendous
cheering, and that he should be the chosen instru.
ment TO execute this act of turIitude.
do not believe the wishes OF opinions Of the
great BODY OF the Democratic party are fairly ex-
pressed in these proceedings. They have moth.
ing In common with the statesmanlike views OF
policy and the high sense Of national honor which
guided the party when Martin Van Buren,, VIM.
L. Marcy. Hilas Wright, Lewis Cass, and Stephen
A. Douglas were among its most conspicuous
members.
see but one source Of safety for the countr
under existing circumstances, and that is the cleo
tion OF Gen. Grant On his de cision OF character,
good sense, moderation and disinterested patriot
hope OF regaining the position in the Union 10
which il is entitled, than under man whose DO
litcal career has been nothing more conspicu-
ously marked than In an utter indrmiiy of pur-
pose.
independently Of all these considerations l
should be greatly surprised If the people Of the
United States were to elect as their Chief Magis-
trate man who was making, at the Academy OF
Music on tie 4th Of July, 1868, a speech deficient
IN the characteristics Of an elevated love Of coun-
Try, at the very hour when Gen. Grant was carry
ing the victorious arms Of the Union into Vicks.
burgh, and when thousands Of our fallen country
men 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 embarrsss 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 election and
am particularly DESTROYS Of removing the Jun
preston, II Il exists, that am In favor Of Mr..
Seymour or the reputation Of any portion Of the
public debt
am, dear sir, very truly yours,
Signed, JOHN. A. DIX.