The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-09-26
GENERAL DIX on sEYnouR.


PrssiNsncy-Has knewn Him Quar-
ter of . Century, etc.
NEW RoaK, Sept. 22.-tiensral Dix, Amer
lean Minister to France, has sent the follow
ing letter to friend in this city. 1t was not
written for publication, but the gentleman 10
whom il was addressed has consented to give
it 10 the public:
PARIS, Sept. 4, 1868.
MI DEAR SlR II was my hope that my
distances from home would have saved me
from al participation in political excitement
prevailing there. notice in one Of the
newspapers that am heart and hand with
Seymour. am not aware Of anything in
the present or past which could rightfuly
subject me to such an mputation. | have
been acquainted with Mr.. seymour more
than quarter Of century. He ia al amias
Bile gentleman, Of unexceptionabls private
character and respectable talents. But you
know as we'll as he has not single qualifi-
cation for . successful execution of the high
official trust to which he has been nominated.
He is especially deficient IN that frmness of
purpose which in critical emergencies is the
only safeguard sgainst public disorder and
caiamfty. He has been twice at different
times Governor Of the State Of New York.
He has in neither case had talent or tact to
keep the Democratic party of the State to-
gether for more than two years and We should
regard his election At this juncture, when
steadiness Of purpose and 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
Is the purpose Of those it represents, to pay
the greater part Of the public debt, contracted
10 preserve the Union, in deprecated paper.
Such measure, would, in my judgment, be
palpable violation of the public faith.
pledged under 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 debts 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 at this regeneration. 1t was per-
hans not unit that Mr.. Seymour, after presid-
ing in 1864 over the Chicago Convention,
which declared the war a failure, should pre-
side over the Convention Of 1863, in which a
proposition to discredit the debt contracted
to carry on the war was received with tre-
mendous cheering, and that he should be the
chosen instrument to execute this act of ma
tional turpitude.
/ do not believe that the wishes or opin-
ions Of the great body Of the Democratic
party are fairly expressed in these proceed
ings. They have nothing in common with
the statesmanlike views of policy aud the
high sense Of national honor which guided
the party of which Martin Van Buren,, Will
liam l.. Yancey, Silas Wright, Lewis Ca.s
and Stephen A. Douglas we're among lts
most conspicuous members, see but one
source OF safety for the country under exist
ing circumstances, and that is the election OF
General Grant. On his decision of charac-
ter, good sense, moderation and disinterested
patriotism. believe the South will have a
far better hope of regaining the position in
the Union to which it is entitled than under a
man whose political career has been in moth
ing more conspicuously marked than IN an
ul.er inGrmity of purpose. Independently OF
Gil these considerations, should be greatly
surprised il the people Of the United States
were to elect MS their Chief Magistrate man
who was making at the Academy Of Music,
on the 4.h of July, 1853, speech different
in all characteristics of an elevated love 0!
country, at the very hour when Gen. Grant
was carrying the victorious arms Of the Union
into Vicksbnrg, and when thousands Of our
fallen countrymen we're pouring out their
blood on the plains Of Gettysburg in defense
of their homes and the Government which
Mr. Seymour was doing all in his power to
embarrass and dscredit
l am quite willing you should show this
letter to any friends who may take an inter.
est in my opinion in regard to the coming
election. am particularly DESTROYS to re.
move the impression that exists that | am in
favor of Seymour or the reputation OF any
portion Of the public debt.
am, sir. truly yours,