Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-10-02

Gen. Dix, the American Minister at
Paris, has sent the following letter to
friend in New York. 1t was not written
for publication, but the gentleman, to whom
it was addressed, has consented to give it to
the public:
PARIS, Sept. 4, 1865.
My DEAR SIR: 1t was my hope that my
distance from home would have secured me
from all participation in the political excite
ment prevailing there But / notice an
annou cement in one of the newspapers that
/ am heart and band with Mr.. Seymour.
| am not aware of anything in the present
or the past, which could rightfully subject
me to such an imputation.
| have been acquainted with Mr.. Sey mour
more than quarter of a century He is an
amiable gentleman of unexceptionabe pri
vate character, and oirespectabe talents But
you know as well as | that be has not single
qualification for the successful execution OF
the high official trust to which be has beeu
nominated; ana he is especially deficient in
that tirmness of purpose, which in critical
emergencies, 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 nei-
the Democratic party Of the State together
more than two years. | should regard
his election at this juDcture, when steadi-
ness Of purpose, decision, and selfcontrol
are so much needed as one of the grea-
test calamities that could befall the country.
Moreover, he has been put in nomination
by a Convention which has openly declared
the purpose of those it represents, 10 pay
the greater part of the public debt, con
tracted to preserve the Union, in deprecia-
ed paper. Such measure would, in my
Judgment, be palpable violation of the
public faith, pledged under circumstances
which should have been binding on all hon
orable men. Mr.. Seymour has made public
speeches TO show that it is our duty to
pay the debt In specie. La accepting
his nomination to the Presidency lie
adopts the declaration that it ought 10
be paid in paper | know nothing so hui.
initiating in the history of American poll
ties as this regeneration. Ii was, per-
haps, not unfit that Mr.. Seymour, after
presiding in 1864 over the Chicago Conven-
ton, which declared the war a failure,
should preside over the Convention of 1863,
in which a proposition to discredit 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 National turpi
;ade
| 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. and the
high sense of national honor, which guided
the party when Martin Van Buren, William
L. Marcy, Silas Wright, Lewis Cass, and
Stephen a. Douglas were among its most
conspicuous members
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, mod
Grafton, and disiDterested patriotism, be-
lieve the South will have far better hone
OF Tegaining the position in the Union TO
which II is entitled, than under man whose
political career has been in nothing more
conspicuously marked than In an utter .in-
trinity of purpose,
Independently Of all these considerations,
L should be greatly surprised if the people !
OF the United States were to elect as their |
Chief Magistrate, man who was making, !
at the Academy of Music, on the 4th of |
July, 1853, speech, deficient in all the |
of an elevated love of country, |
at the very hour when Gen. Grant was car |
rying the victorious arms ofthe Uuion into |
Vicksburg, and when thousands of our fel-
low-countrymen were pouring out their |
blood on the plains of Gettysburg, 10 defense
of their homes, aud the Government which |
Mr.. Seymour was doing all In his bower to |
embarrass and discredit.
am quite willing that you should show |
this letter to any friends who may take an |
interest in my opinion in regard to the com |
ing election, and | am particularly desirous of |
removing the impression, if it exists. that / |
am IN favor OF Mr.. Seymour, the repudia- |
ton OF any portion Of the public debt. | |
am, dear Sir, very truly, yours.
JOHN A. DIX.
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