The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-12

THE EX-GOVERNOR ON TIE DISASTROUS CAM
PAIGN OF 1S74--A PROTEST AGAINST BEING
HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESULT SEM
AroR Combines COURSE DURING THE CAM
vAss.
New YORK, June TO- 1875
To THE EDITOR OF THE HgRaLD:-
Ny attention has been called reported CONVERSE
tion published in the HERALD the 9th inst be-
tween Of your representatives and the Hon. A. B.
Cornell This conversation Is so foil OF Measurements
that am disposed attribute them the msunder-
standing OF tho interview, especially than
once. and very recently. sentiments have in same
way been imputed which expressed and
language which never used. But wherever the fault
may liewhethcr in The misrepresentation OF the
viewer tho ntervicwcd-f doom II due myself to
correct Of the chief tatcmens contained
the reported conversation
l. Governor Dix attempted a nonpartsan cam
pagn for his reelection 1874 with the most dis.
astrous result. ms you will remember.
There ia not word truth in this statement OK.
ccpt 'rho disastrous result. BY word or act Of
mine was the put any other than ropubli.
ground.
2. Governor Dix was elected in 1872 as a republican
candidate. During his term Of Office he, TO great
tent dsregarded the and wishes OF the rcpubi.
cans.
This statement is equally untrue. My consultations
always with republicans whom tho people the
Stale had distinguished BY marks OF their confidence
my colleagues in the Executive Department Of the
government members OF the Legislature and tried
representatives Of the republican party In private life
BY their dtsintercsted counsels and support was
greatly aided in carrying out the Of reform
inaugurated under my administration There werc
doubt. republicans Of different stamp, whose
views and wishes did not adopt asmy guide
3 The signs Of defeat apparent to tho more
sagaclous OF the republican leaders weeks before the
election. and Governor Dix warned OF the danger
and ed to go upon the stump. which he declined
well as discouraged the holding of republican meet
ngs generally. alleging that he deemed the result
cure, and that votes beyond the republican party in
considerable Numbers could be relied upon which
might be- alienated by active canvass in his behalf.
Nothing can be further from the truth than tho
greater part OF this II is untrue that dis
couraged the holding Of republican meetings generally
specially II is untrue that discouraged active
for fear thai il might alenia.e that
relied upon beyond the republican party The chair
and members OF the State Committee, with whom
had repeated conferences know that had cars for
the result and that was disappointed mortified by
the refusal Of many leading republicans who active
IN 1872 to address pubic meetings take any open
part in the canvass There ut early period OF
the campaign groundess confidence in the result,
which participated but my fears excited long
before the election by apparent Indifference which
dcplored more sincerely than myself 1t is
that declined to takc the stump because have all
my life refused TO do so wien was q candidate Tor
office.
Mr. Conkling earnestly desired the reelection of
Governor Dix and proposed take the stump In has
behalf; but he discouraged by the Governors own
OF the canvass, have already described aud
only made three speeches IN the canvass at
the request OF local committees.
II was understood az Albany an early period OF tho
canvass that Mr.. Conkng not to take any active
part In IT, | remember the reason assigned was the
urgency Of his private business. | never heard Of
proposal his part to take the stump my behalf
he could not have been discouraged by OF tho
which | never took, and certainly had no
right to expect from him effort for which he was
publican party. No could possibly have been more
graicd than myself II he had forth at an early
day with his eoqu and logical power to aid 10
stemmns the adverse tide which threatened to over.
whem Us, he did in 1872, when General Grants 70.
election TO tho Presidency and his 10 the Senate
involved N the result But on this occasion wa
did have his assistance until the battle was lost
HIS principal speech made in Brooklyn only few
days before the election.
am not IN the habit OF noticing newspaper attacks
but have thought 1t due to myself and cause OF
truth TO repel, as have DONE this extraordinary at
tempt to hold responsible for the disastrous result
Of the OF 1874 this State by accusing me OF
dscouraging efforts to carry election in which
personally interested-an imputation absurd for
acceptance BY the intelligence and the
largest credulity JOHN A. DIX.