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

1845-1853.] SECESSION ALREADY MEDITATED,

275

him as they did, my conclusion is that they must have had
another and a deeper design. Their real objection was not on
the score of abolitionism. They knew as well as he did that
it could not; be sustained. The fact was this, that Secession
was already in their thoughts; that steps had even then been
taken toward a dissolution of the Union, and that they feared
the influence of one who might be counted on as their enemy
if it came to the question of asserting the right of individual
States to withdraw, forcibly if necessary, and set up a separate government under a separate flag.
The vile charges of "mercenary motives" and "personal
debasement" which, in addition to that of abolitionism, were
freely made against General Dix, drew forth an able and convincing defence from his friends, both North and South; but
though these insinuations were repelled, the influence exerted
to prevent the President from nominating him to the French
mission was too strong to be resisted. In fact, the place was
wanted for an eminent gentleman from the State of Virginia.
About the 1st of June rumors were current in New York
that a very strong opposition was made to the appointment of
General Dix as Minister to France. By the middle of the
month these had assumed so definite a shape that he was constrained to believe them to be well-founded. IIe addressed a
letter to the Hon. R. McClelland on the subject, in which
he says:
"Let me say, first, that I have not sought the appointment in question,
and that its chief value in my estimation would be the evidence it would
furnish of the President's confidence.
" My object in writing to you is to ascertain, if I can, what the opposition amounts to. I do not desire any information which you cannot
with the strictest propriety give. If I know its source and its extent, I
can judge better what is its motive, and whether it is due to myself to
attempt to correct misrepresentation, or whether my self-respect demands
that I should let, it have its course.
" The President is fully acquainted with my position, and can refute
any misstatement which comes to his ears.
" I supposed the question of free-soilism was settled on my nomination