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

1845-1853.] GENERAL DIX'S COLLECTED SPEECHES.

195

and highest outcome of American political life; dignified,
powerful, respected, it was the pride of the nation, and one
of its main bulwarks. There men, relieved from the vexations of petty concerns, breathed a calmer air; they resided
in a charming capital, enjoyed an agreeable society, mingled
with representatives of the leading nations of the world, had
a tenure of office much longer than that of the Chief Magistracy of the Union, and thus were somewhat independent of
the changes of administration and the vicissitudes of public
life. The Senator of the United States had a certain freedom of action; he might outlive adverse influences; he was
secure from the assaults of a capricious constituency; according to the use and law of social etiquette he and his family
ranked second only to the President. The height of ordinary
ambition was satisfied by attainment to that place; and men
once securely seated there would have been content to hold
it on and on, asking no more. One cannot doubt the sincerity of the expressions in which Mr. Wright announced his
distress at being thrown from that delightful eminence into
the whirlpools and quicksands at Albany.
The record of my father's work in the Senate of the
United States will be found in the first volume of his collected speeches. HIe prepared the volumes with great care,
and gave them to the public in the year 1864. At the beginning of the first volume is this dedication:
"TO MY WIFE.
" You have known for several years my intention to collect and publish for
preservation and reference the speeches which I delivered on the leading questions of the day while representing the State of New York in the Senate of the
United States. They form the greater part of the material of these volumes.
I have added several occasional addresses and a few of the numerous official
reports made by me during my connection with public affairs. This collection, designed chiefly to make those who are to come after us acquainted with
the part I have borne in the national movement during a quarter of a century
of extraordinary activity and excitement, I dedicate to you, as an imperfect
acknowledgment of the intelligent and devoted co-operation which you have
lent me in all the vicissitudes and labors of my life."