The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-10-01
General Dix ON the Political situation.

! -General Dix American minister to
France has sent the following. letter to
this city. 1t was not written for publi-
cation, but the gentlemen to whom it
was addressed has consented to give it to
the public:
My DEAR SIR:-It was my hope that
my distance from home would have
saved me from all the participation in
the Political excitement prevailing there:
out 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 iighttuly subject me
to such an 1mputahon. | have been
acquainted With Mr.. Seymour more than
a,qualter of century He is an aim
able gentlemen, Of unexceptional pri-
vate character and respect able talents
bHt y0u kao1o rs eccl as Ihhnt he has not
u siagfe qaaifcation for the sucecsctM
eeecotion Of the high ogictal trust to
'oh'ct he fas becn nomndted, and he is
especially deficient in that firmness of
purpose which in critical emergencies
Is the only safeguard against publ
disaster 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 Demo-
cratic party OF the State together more
than two weeks. | should regard his
election at this .juncture, when steadness
OF Aurrose, decision ard self. centfol are
SO much needed, as one of the greatest
calamates that could bcfall the country. /
MoreoVer he has been put in nomination
by convention which asopcnly declared
the purpose Of those it represents to pay
the greater part Of the public debt con
tracted to preserve the Union in depreci-
ated paper. Such measure would in
my judgement, be palable violation Of
the public faith, pledged under circum-
on all honorable men. sra
Seymour has made public spe achcs to
show that it is our duty to pay the debt
IN specie. lnacce pting his nomination
to the Presidency, he adopts the decla
ration that it ought to be paid in paper.
| know nothing SO humilating in the
history of American politics as this ter
gIversation. g, 1t was spgehaps, not unfit
Chicago Convention, which declared the
war failure, should preside over the con
vention OF 1868, in which proposition to
discredit 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
turpItude | donot believe hat the wishes
or opinions Of the great body of the
Democratic party are fairly expressed in
these proceedings. They have nothing
in common with the statesmaniike view
of the policy and the high sense of ma
tional honor which guided the party
when Martin Van 1uren, William l..
Marcy, Siias Wright Cass and Stephen
y. Dodg.as were among its most con
spicuous members
4 SEE BUf ONE SOURCE OF
SAFETY FOR THE COUNTRY /
UNDER EXISTING CIRCUNSTAN
CifS AND THAT Is THE ELtIl aTION
OF GENERAL GRANT. On his de-
cision II character, good sense, n0!era
ton aud disjnterested patrio ism, ]
believe the South will have a FIR better
hope Of regaining the position in the
Union to which it is entitled than under
a man whose political career has been in
nothing more conspicuously marhcd than
In an utter infirmity of purpose.
''Enlepen leatly Of al these clIsi lera
tions, | should be greatly surprised ifI
the people Of the United States were
to elect as their Chief Magistrate man
VINO was making at the academy of
Music July 4 1863, a speech deficient in
all characteristics of our elevated love of
country, at the very hour when General
Grant was carrying the victorious arms
of the Union into Nicksburg, and when
thousands Of our fallen courtrymen were
pouring out their blood on the plains of
Gettysburg III defence of their homes
and the government Seymour was doing
all his power to embarass and discred,..
/ am willing You should show this
letter to any friends who may take an
interest in my opinion in regard to the
coming election and | am particularly &c
sirous of removing the impression, it it
exists that Lam in favor Of Mr. Seymour
on the Reputation Of any portion Of the
public debt
| am very truly yours,
JOHN A. Dix