The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-22

Gen. Dix held n respectable position among
his associates during his four years in the SEN
ate lie became Chairman ot the Committee on |
Commerce. and as such wns instrumental in |
establishing the warehouse system. copied from
England, which has ever since remained a part |
Of our revenue policy. He wns also n member |
Of the Committee on Military Affairs. where |
his counsrls were valuable. because Of his pre-
vious acquaintance with that branch OF the SER
vice. He delivered few able and elaborate
speeches, but never took rank among the ready
OF his term. the Wings Of New York controlled
both Houses Of the Legislature. and William H.
seward WIS chosen US his successor.
The year previous wns crowded with exciting
events in Nrw York because ~ the fierce con-
irovcrsics bHwcen. the Barnburners and the
amazement OF everybody conversant with his
previous history. became tho Free Soil candi-
date for President his associate on tho ticket
being Charles Francis Adams OF Massachu-
srtts. In this campaign Gen. Dix ran MS the
Free SOL or Barnburner cnndidhte Tor Goy"r-
nor The quarres OF tho Democracy IN New
York split the pnrty in two right IN the middle,
enabling Cen. Tayl9r 70 lrar oil ITS electoral
m immense majority
The i"uls in the party were healed in the
summer Of lS49 when Dix and the other Bnru-
burners found themselves again in line with
the so-called National Democracy. Having
beaten Gen. Cass in the Presidential race Of
l54S and, in the language OF John Van Buren,.
sent the remains OF the great Michignnder
home by the way OF the upper hikes, " the same
relentless faction rallied against him ut the
bhtlmore convention ~ 1892 ana prevented
his nomination to the Presidency. Franklin
lltf'f won lne NlfInfN over all fOmpNttnfS IN
the Convention and beat Gen. Winfield Scott at
tho ballot boxes in November. DiN and his
friends warmly supported the New llamrshire
| Brigndier and gave him the State of New York.
| In "A burst ot grntitude Pierce offered the State
! Department to Dix. who accepted IT, Tho Drm-
| ocrats OF the Calhoun stamp took alarm Ht the
bare idra of seeing n quasi FREQ Soiler 1T the
head OF tho Cabinet, ana rose in rebellion
down and compfonissd on Wulam L. MSre'y.
| setting Dix after long and vexntious de-
Sn6.Trcasury in the tie city Of New York He WAS Was
| npbsased meanwhile by the promise Of the
French Mission; hut when this gliitering. prize
! ginia. Dix retired from tho granite ediflce nj
| the corner Of Wall and Nassau streets in dis
| gust, and returned once more 10 the practice Of
| the law He remained in private lille ~ near
| the middle OF the administration OF Mr.. Bu-
| York. couple ot years Inter Buchanan had
| occasion 10 invoke his aid in more important
branch Of the public service We were on the
Office of Secretary Of State because the Govern
meni would not victual Fort sumter Cooh
and Floyd. the Secretaries OF the Treasury and
! OF War. had left Washington 70 join the in
| surgents. Jeremiah 5. Black, then Attorney.
| in the Mace of Cnss Dix vns nnnointnd S,.crs.
ttary 2, p,e ,he Treesury, Hoi sgcr"iery OF W"E
WIS while in the Treasury Department that
| Gen. Dix s.nt out the famous telegram 50 often
quoted. H.. hqd despatched an agent to New
from falling into the hands ot the rebels One
| Capt Breshwood refused 10 obey the orders Of
| lht 1 lEfhSuFN agent. VINO lniOffnrQ DIX tlliN ne
in one instance refused to fly his colors at the
! masthead OF the cutter. Dix teegrnphed 10 the
agent: II any man attempts 10 haul down the
| American tiAg. shoot him Oh the spotv'
On Mr.. Lincoln's assuming the Presidency
Gen, DIX retired from the Treasury Depart
| came TO New York. and on the occasion ot the
great uprising IN April when the citizens OF the
| metropolis assembled by tens OF thousands in
Union square to take measures for the defence
| ~ the Constitution and the prrservation Of the
Union he occupied the chair The following
press lon OF the rebellion. He was frst
timore. whore his military administrator
was acceptable 70 the loyal Inhabitants. HIS
| rule was marked by moderation aud justice.
and won the APPRECIATION OF all except
| ing the most violent classes. In MAY. 1862. he
| enia, with headquarters AZ Fortress Monroe.
| where he remained until the summer Of 1868
Thence he was transferred l. the city of NV
| YORK. and commanded the Department OF IN"
East. He was efficient In putting down II" out
lr-nk consequent upon the draft IN August.
1858 We believe he took no part IN any battle
during the war. hut rendered patriotic and vul-
liable service throughout the contest In a semi
| civil. SEM m iHry role.
When Andrew johnson broke from the Re-
publican party d y became one Of his support
rrs. H.. was temporary Chairman Of the M
uJnAl Union Convention. held in IN" interest
ot Prrsidrnt johnson. NJ Phihi"lphh IN
august 1866 IN this ths SNntnwTn Nt ~, a. may Xearr
! York. and Immediately Thereafter Amhassudor
to France. In the room OF the Hon. John Ble"-
|
public Tor some time rs 10 which OF these hp-
poinimrnts he would accept. he finally hose
that OF Foreign Minister The Senate confirmed
his nomination in December. AMI IN January
he was presented 10 the Emperor Of thr French
as the American Envoy. He resigned this mis-
sion in 1868 and returned o. New York.
Soon alter the first election OF Gen. Grnnt,
he avowed himself in favor Of his Adm u
istration. and became a member Of the r.
publican party in full fellowship In 1872
he was nominated by the Republicans tor Gov
ernor OF the State and. after spirited contest
WAS chosen over Francis Herman. the Demo-
cratic and Liberal candidate. by majority Of
about 50 900. IL will be- rcmem her-d that his
was the campaign IN which Gen. Grant ran for
Il second term. and Horac" Greeley the founder
Of the Ne,r York Tribune. was the regular ID m
orratc nominee, The administration of Gen.
DIX WAS RESPECTABLE. but originated no reforms
that wi render itin any wise remarkable IN the
history Ot Nrw YORK. He ran for n second term
in the fall Of 1874. His Democratic opponent
was Samuel J. Tilden. who bent him by jus!
about the same majority that he himself had
received over Herman.
Since then he has held no public post. but
is understood To- have taken an active part
in the management OF the corporation OF Trinity
Church. Indeed. for many previous years, he
had borne a leading share in administering me
financial concerns Of that venerable and wealthy
establishment