Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-26
Gen. Dix's Letter.
PURPOSES OF THE BOYS IN BLUE~-TfLDEN'
ELECTION MISFORTUNE.

PURPOSES OF THE BOYS IN BLUE%TfLDEN 5
ELECTION MISFORTUNE.
COMRADES 1t was my purpose to be present,
as chairman of your National Committee, at your
convention on the 10Th inst. Causes unforeseen
until the last moment prevent my attendance.
1t is my sincere belief that the tran
guilty of the country, purchased by your hard
ships, your perils, your endurance and your valor
depends the election Of Gov. Hayes, the gallant
commander, who led many of you TO victory. In
dependently Of all party considerations. believe
it TO be far better for the South, better for the
North, better for every portion of vast repub-
lie, that the executive power Of the government
should be confded to him rather than to his oppo-
ncnt Recent occurrences indicate, re-
greet to say, that there at the South individuals
who are intent on disturbing the established order
While all such purposes are to be resisted and
foiled, if need be by the whole legitimate power
OF the government, q generous confidence and
support should be extended to those who sustain
it in its manifest duty to enforce the requirements
Of the constitution and the laws. Your organiza :
ton was formed in no spirit of hostility to any por
ton of your felow-citizens 1t was formed to main
tam by the ballot IN the political field the prnci
pies which you upheld by the bayonet on the field
OF battle. We Will sustain our Southern brethren
in the enjoyment of every right and every privi-
lege which we possess Their security Is also ours
But we resist, and will continue to resist now and
hereafter the elevation of any Northern man to the
highest office in the gift of the people who not
openly and actively engaged in upholding the gov
eminent when 1t was threatened with destruction.
believe that the election of Gov Tiden would
be most unfortunate for the South. He would 70
into office distrusted by the whole body of the pa
trotic citizens of the North who sustained the gov
HI.
joiities in Vermont and Maine were called out by
his nomination. The other republican States are
only waiting for the opportunity of pronouncing
the same emphatic Judgment upon him.
The public tranquility cannot be maintained by
Mr.. Tilden. lie has other prestige than that
of a party manager, and il is now understood IN
his own State, and will be clearly shown through
out the Union that his claim TO be rcformer is
baseess and fraudulent. | leave for discussion
elsewhese his long continued association with the
prohigate politicians by whom the city of New
York was plundered, and the recent developments
which have seriously impaired the public conf
dence in his personal integrity. 1t is enough for
us that he is presented to the people as the expo
nent Of the principles and policy of the democratic
party; that he declared the war was failure
when you were bringing it to a triumphant conclu-
sion; aud that he refused to take part in uphold
ing the government when il was menaced and
imperied-a government which would not be in
existence now if his example and his counsels had
prevailed with his countrymen.
Comrades, in seasons of danger and trial you
have fastened to the support of the republican
party with devotion and an energy which have
always been crowned with success. 1t appeals to
you again for aid in contest involving the public
honor and prosperity and the continued trauquilli-
ty Of the Union. No party in the hundred years
Of our national life has done so much for the good
name and welfare of the country BY its patriot
ISM its frmness, and its perseverance it upheld the
government and saved the Union from dissolution.
1t abolished slavery, obterated forever the only
blot in national escutcheon In II years by pru
dent financial management, it has paid off $780,
100000 of the debt contracted for the preservation
Of the Union. l conjure you by these triumph
ant achievements of the last Is years, by the re-
membrsnce Of your heroic comrades who are
sumbering in honorable graves, and by the men,
DRY of the martyred Lincoln, under whose guld-
ance in saving the Union and abolshing slavery
we achieved the greatest of sl human victories
by all these hallowed recoections l conjure you
to stand by the party which was sustained and en-
nobed by his example and the cause which was
consecrsted by his blood. Your fellow citizen,
comrade, and friend,
JOHN A. DIX.
Headquarters Union Veterans National Com
miHse, Fifth Avenue Hotel, Nsw York City, Sept.
Is, 1876.