Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-08-27
GEN. DIY,S LETTER.

GEN. DLX'S LETTER.
Gen. Dix has struck the key note for
the War Democracy, in q letter pro-
nouncing for Grant with not a little OF the
old fire which animated him when, As
Secretary of the Treasury, early in 1861,
he wrote the historic words. "it any man
hauls down the American flag, shoot him
on the spotl" We give below few ex.
tracts.
81 am opposed to Mr.. Greeley:
/. Because | believe him to be as
unstable IS water" and perpetually
founderipg Ito carry out the Scripturnl
ligure) amid the surges OF opinion, and
deficient in all the requisites essential to
a firm, steady and consistent administra.
tion of the Government.
g Because be has usually been found
among the most extreme ultrsists on the
great questions OF political and social
duty which have been brought under
public discussion during the last quarter
of century.
8. Because he has boen the advocate
(and in this instance persistently) Of that
most unjust and unequal commercial
system which is destroying our mer.
camille and shipping interests and heap.
ing mp enormous aecumulations Of wealth
in the hands of tho protected classes TO
the oppression and impovorishment of
all others.
4. Because he is associated, in rela-
tions more or less intimate, with some of
the chief plunderers of the city OF New
York, justly warranting the apprehension
that through his completely or his facife
disposition the same system OF fraud and
corruption which has disgraced the mu-
nicipsl government of this city may be
carried to more infamous extremes IN
the administration of the Federal Gov
ernment. and
5. Because in the darkest hour of the
csuntry's peril, when tratorous com.
bination had been formed to overthrow
the government, he openly counsslied the
cowardly policy of nonresistsnes and an
acquiescence 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 discordynt elements
1t embraces and the surrender of princi.
Piles it involves.
The adoption of such man as their
candidate for the Chief Nagistracy OF
the Union is the most conspicuous
abandonment 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 unscrupulous coalition be-
tween political leaders.
That General Grant has committed
mistakes, his most sincere friends admit.
But if his errors had been fourfold moro
numerous. he would in my opinion DO a
much better Chief Magistrate than Mr..
Greeley. He has in that capacity dono
much for which he deserves the thanks
of the country. Above all, he has kept
it at peace, Notwithstanding the efforts
OF sensational journals and popularity
seeking politicians to provoke hostilities
with Spain on the question OF Cuba, and
with Great Britain on the Alabama
claims and the fisheries.
If, regardless of these titles to the ap-
proval 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, a mere erratic
politician, untried in any important pub.
lie trust, should be elevated to the Chief
Masistracy of the Union-a Uniop which
would not now exist if his counsels had
had been followed-and if the man who,
Of all others, has done the most to pre-
serve it should be discarded for sue
css.or so Unqualified and 30 unscrupu-
lously nominated and sustained. the ex-
ample would be most deplorable in its
influence on all high motives to political
action. and Justify the most painful fore
bodings as TO the future"