The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-06
GENERAL DIX ON GREELEY.
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"A SCATHING DENUNCIATION,
The Insfability of the Democratic Candi-
.Es date.


We are permitted to print the following let
ter, which has not before been made public:
WEsTHAMproN. July q, 1872
Dear Sir Your letter of the 18th inst, askin
my aid to procure speaker for Greeley meet
ing at Hancock, was sent to me while l was in
New England and have been unable until
now to acknowledge its reception.
do not understand ON what ground you
considered yourself authorized to address such
request to me. If you had been familiar with
the course of my public life, and equally 80
with MIR. Greeley's, you could not have suppos-
ed me capable of advocating his election to the
Office of President of the United States without
imputinglto me the utter abandonment of all
political principle.
1 am opposed to Mr.. Greeley:
1. Because believe him to be as unstable
as water" perpetually foundering Ito carry
out the Scriptural fgure) amid the surges of
opinion, and deficient in all the requisites
essential to firm, steady, and consistent ad-
minstration of the government. 4f-
2. Because he has usually been found among
the most extreme ultraists on the great ques-
tions of political and social duty, which have
been brought under public discussion during
the last quarter of century.
8. Because he has been the advocate land in
this instance persistently) of that most unjust
and unequal commercial system which is de-
stroying our mercantile and shipping interests
and heaping up enormous accumulations of
the oppression and impoverishment of all
others.
4. Because he is associated in relations more
or less intimate, with some of the chief plan
derers of the city of Now York, justly warrant
ing the apprehension that through his complici-
ty or his facile disposition, the same system of
fraud and corruption which has disgraced the
municipal government of this city may be
carried TO more infamous extremes in the
government; and, -.-ae
3. Because in the da rkast hour Of tho oo,,n
trys peril, when a traitorous combination had
been formed to overthrow the government he
openly counseled the cowardly policy of non
resistance and an acquiescence in the dissolu-
ton OF the Union, whenever the cotton States
should make up their minds to 60.
The coalition which has been formed to pro-
mote his election is one of the most extraordi-
nary in the history of parties, in respect both to
the discOrdant elements it embraces and the
surrender of principles it involves
The Cincinnati Convention, called to bring
before the people important measures of reform
nominated him, greatly to the surprise of the
whole country, knowing him, in regard to one
of those measures, to be an implacable oppon-
ent-nominated him, too, against the wishes
and Judgment of the chief promoters of the
movement, who accepted him, either with an
avowed or an ill-concealed disgust, which would
be far more creditable to their feelings if the
act of acceptance were not utterly irreconcila-
BILE with their principles.
Tho Democratic Convention at Baltimore en-
dorsed and commended him to the support of
their party-not as the exponent of any prin-
ciples they have professed, or any measures
they have advocated, but as known and bitter
opponent of both-the man who, perhaps, of all
others, has been the most malignant of the
Democracy, impeaching its integrity, traducing
its motives and villifying its character
The adoption of such man as their candi-
date for the Chief Magstracy of the Union is
the most conspicuous abandonment of political
principles known to party contests.
1t remains to be seen who+'"~ tho p~.at body
of the Democratic W en-, and the true II 'nds of
reform, can be made paI-,les w THIS un,crupu-
lous condition between political leaders
That General Grant has committed mistakes,
his most sincere friends admit But if hi. err
rors had been four-fold more numerous he
would, in my opinion be a much better Chief
Magistrate than Mr.. Greeley. He has in that
capacity, done much for which he deserves tho
thanks of the country. Above all, he has kept
it at peace notwithstanding the efforts of s-n-
sational journals and popularity-seeking poll
question of Cuba and with Great britain Oh
the Alabama claims and the fisheries.
II, regardless of these titles to the approval
o! MS fellow-citzens and of his invaluable
wees during the late civil war, they should set
MN aside tor Mr.. Greeley; if the latter, q mere
erIatic pontlcian, untred in any important
puDiic trust, should be elevated to the Chief
Magistracy OF the Union-a Union which would
not now exist if his councils had been followed,
and If the man who, of all others, has done
the most to preserve it should be discarded for
successor so Unqualified and SO INSCRIPTIONS