Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

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7MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

likes to do what he knows he can do well, and he thoroughly
understood the science of governing. But this he did unselfishly, without personal ambition, on high principle, without dread of criticism, for the welfare of the Commonwealth,
in the fear of Almighty God. Therefore his part was that
of the statesman, and therefore was he disliked and mistrusted
by the common politicians, who gave him their support only
when they could not help it, or when they hoped to profit
indirectly by an influence which they could not bend to do
them a favor.
I hope to justify this estimate of my father's character as
I proceed. The time has come to begin the story of his
political life. This I shall attempt to relate with such aid as
I could obtain from books, letters, and conference with men
familiar with the transactions of former days. But, since this
memoir was not intended for the eye of persons deeply versed
in American politics, while yet some knowledge of them is
indispensable as we proceed, I venture to begin by offering
the reader what I have gathered with my own hand in that
rich yet tangled field, while seeking to comprehend the position and the course of one who ranks among the most conspicuous figures in the scene.
The author of the work entitled " The History of Political
Parties in the State of New York, from.the Ratification of
the Federal Constitution to December, 1840," makes the following somewhat discouraging observations:
"It has often been remarked by citizens and politicians of
our sister States that the action of political parties in the
State of New York was to them unaccountable and mysterious."
And he adds: " Hundreds of strangers have said to me that
the politics of New York were to them a perfect enigma."*
If persons familiar with the political history of our country
and public affairs are thus perplexed, how much more difficult

* Vol. i., p. 168.