Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-08-22
Gen. DIX ON Greeley.
THE INSTABILITY OF THE DEMOCRATIC
CANDIDATE
WEsTnAMProN, July ~, 1872.

CcT 0OanuOuWtut VI I'LL poIttICoS pEInCA-
pie. am opposed to Mr.. Greeley:
l. Because I believe him to be as
" unstable as water" perpetually floun.
dering TO carry out tho scriptural 6g-
ure) amid the surges Of opinion, aud
deficient in all the requisites essential
to firm, steady and consistent admin
Of tn" government.
2. Because he has usually been
found among the most extreme ultraists
on the great questions Of political and
social duty WHICH have been brought
under public discussion during the last
quarter Of a century.
3. Because he has been the advo-
cate (and in this instance Professionally
Of that most unjust and unequal CON-
mercial system which is destroying our
mercantile and shipping interests, aud
he aping up enormous accuu'ulations Of
wea..::h.. in the hands Of the protected
classes, to the oppression and impover'
ishment Of all others.
4. Because he is associated, in rela.
tions more or less intimate, with some
Of the chief rlunderers Of the city Of
New York, justly warranting the ap-
prehension that through his completely
or his facile dispositi N tho same ystem
of fraud aid corruption which has dis
graced tho municipal government Of
this city may be carried to more infa-
nous extremes in the administration 0.
the Federal government; and,
5. Because in the darkest hour of
the country's peril, when traitorous
combination had been formed to over
throw the government, he openly coun-
selled the cowardly policy Of non-resis.
lance, and III acquiescence in the disso-
luton OF the Union, whenever the cotton
States should make uo their minds to
70.
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 diseord.
ant elements it embraces and the sur.
rende: 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, know.
ing him, in regard to one Of those meas.
ures, to be ao impiacable opponent
nominated him, too, against the wishes
and judgment Of the chief promoters
OF the movement, either with an avow-
cd or an ill-concealed disgust, which
would be far more creditable to their
feelings if the act of acceptance were
not utterly irreconcilable with their
principles. )
The Democratic Convention at Bal
timore endorsed and commended him
to the support Of their party-not as
the exponent of any principles they
have proiessed, or any measures they
have advocated, but as known and
bitter opponent of both-the .uan who,
perhaps, Of all others, has been the
most malignant enemy Of tho Democra-
cy ,impeaehing its integrity, trAducins
its motives aud vilitying its character.
The adoption Of such a man as their
candidate for the chief masistracy Of
the Union is the most conspicuous aban.
donment Of political principles known
to party contests. 1t remains to be
seen whether the great body Of
Democratic voters, and the true friends
Of reform, can be made parties to this
interruptions coalition between politi.
cal leaders. ~ '~~.
That Gen. Grant has committed mis-
takes, his most sincere friends admit.
But if his errors had been four-fold
more numerous lie would, in my opin'
ion, be a much better chief magistrate
than Mr.. Greeley. He has in that Ca
pac:ty done much for which he deserves
the thanks Of the country. Allow: all,
he has kept at peace, notwithstanding
the efforts of sensation Journals anc
popularity-seeking politicians to pro-
woke hostilities with Spain on the ques'
t1Ou VI OuDa, anu Will oS~'
on the Alabama claims and the tlshe-
RIGS.
If, regardless Of these titles to the
approval of his feIlcw-citizens, and OF
his invaluable services during the late
civil war, they should set hun aside tor
Mr.. Greeley if the latter, a mere er'
ratio politician, uutried in any impor'
tant public trust, should be elevated to
the chief masistracy of the Union- i,
Union which would not now exist 1t
his counsels had been followcd-and II
the man who, of all others, has done
the most to preserve it should DC DIS,
carded for a successor, 50 Ill quallned
and so unscrupulously nominated and
sustained, the example would be most
dcplorabIe in its influence on all high
motives to political action, and justify
the most painful forcbodiig as to the
future.
l am respectfully yours,
JOHN A. DIX.
A. Is. Cornwell, Hancock, N. Y.
Il ant n