Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-08-14
Gen. Dix on Greeley.
WASHINGTON, July l

| DEAR DIR - our letter OF the 1Olu
inst, asking my aid to procurea speak
er for Greeley meeting at Hancock,
was sent to me while [ was in New
England, and [ have been unable un-
til now to acknowledge its reception.
[ do not understand on what ground
you consider yourself authorized to adj
dress such a request to me. If you
had been familiar witt the course of
my public life, and equally 90 with
Mr.. Greeley's, you would not have sup
posed me capable of advocating his
election to the Office of President of
the United States without imputing to
me the utter abandonment of all politi-
cal priHciple.
[ am opposed to Mr.. Greeley.
l. Because [ believe him to be as
unstable as water" perpetually foun
dering Ito carry out the Scriptural fig
ure) amid the surges of opinion, and
deficient in all the requisites essential
to the firm, steady, and consistent adj
mistration of the government.
2. Because he has usually been
found among the most extreme ultralsts
on the great questions of political and
social duty which have been brought
under public discussion during the
last quarter of century.
3. Because he has been the advocate
(and in this instance persistently) of
the most unjust and unequal CONNER
cial system which is destroying our
mercantile and shipping interests,
and heaplug up enormous accumula-
ton of H9ealth in the hands of the pro-
tected class to oppression and impoyer-
ishment of all others.
f. Because he is associated, in rela-
tions more or less intimate, with some
of the chief plumbers of the city Of
New York, justly warranting the ap-
prehension that through his compiled
ty or his facile disposition, the same
system of fraud and corruption which
has disgraced the municipal govern
ment of this city may be carried to the
most infamous extremes in the admin
istrations of the Federal Government :;
and.
s. Because in the darkest hour of
the country's peril, when a traitorous
combination had been formed to over
throw the government, he openly
ly counseled the cowardly policy of non
resistance, and an acqulescence IN the
dissolution of the Union, whenever the
Cotton States should make up their
minds to 60.
The coalition which has, been formed
to promote his election is one of the
most extraordinary in the history of
parties, in respect both to the discor-
dant elements it embraces and the sur
render 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
opponent-nominated him, too, against
the wishes and judgment of the chief
promoters of the movement, who &C.
cepted him. either with an avowed or
an ill-concealed disgust, which would
be far more creditable to their feelings
if the act of acce ptance were not utter
ly irreconcible with their principles.
The democratic convention at Balti-
more Endorsed and commended him to
the support of their party-not as the
expone Mt of any principles they have
protested or any measures they have
advocated, but as known and bitter
opponent of both-the man who, per-
haps, of all others, has been the most
malignant of the Democracy, impeach
ing its integrity, traducing its motives
and vilifying its character.
The adoption of such man as their
candidate for the chief magistracy of the
Union, is the most conspicuous aband-
onment of political principles known
to party contests.
It remains to be seen whether the
great body of the democratic voters,
and the true friends of reform, can be
made parties to this INSCRIPTIONS coali
ton between political leaders.
That Gen. Grant has committed
mistakes, his most sincere friends ad-
nit. But if his errors had been four
fold more numerous, he would, in my
opinion, be much better Chief Mag
istrate than Mr.. Greeley. He has, in
that capacity, done much for which he
deserves the thanks of the country.
Above all, he has kept it at peace, not
the efforts of the sensa.
ton journals and popularity seeking |
politicians to provoke hostilities with |
Spain on the question Of Cuba, and |
with Great Britain on the Alabama
claims and fisheries.
IF regardless of these titles to the ap-
prevail of his fellow citizens, and of his
invaluable services during the late civil
war, they should set him aside for Mr..
Greeley; if the latter mere erratic
politician, untried in any important
public trust, should be elevated to the
chief magistracy of the Union--a I'm
on which would not now exist if his
,ounsels had been followed-and if the
nan who, of all others, has done'the
most to preserve it should be discarded
or a successor so i'll qualified and so
lnscrupulously nominated and sustain
ID. the example would be most deplor-
bile in its influence on all high motives
o political action, and justify the most
PAINFUL forebodings as to the future.
am respectfully yours,
JOHN A. DIX.
A. B. CoRNwELL, Hancock N. Y.