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

1860-1861.] GENERAL DIX APPOINTED POSTMASTER.

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VIII.
IT was discovered, during the early part of the year 1860,
that great frauds had been committed in the New York
Post-office, and that the Postmaster, Mr. Isaac V. Fowler,
was a defaulter to a large amount. The disclosures caused a
feeling of unusual public excitement, and even of personal
alarm: they were regarded as an illustration and result of
the demoralizing tendency of the prevailing system of public appointments. Rumor magnified the evil; the journals
of the day raised a hue-and-cry against the entire corps of
the Post-office, which filled every one connected with the department with trepidation. The general government found
itself gravely compromised; the accusations of its opponents
were incessant and violent; and it was obvious that the adverse current of popular feeling could only be withstood and
checked by the appointment of some person as Postmaster
about whose reputation and ability no question could be
raised. At such a crisis the day of the mere politician is at
an end; a man of integrity and unsullied honor, a man of the
highest moral grade, is demanded. The President, in this
emergency, called on General Dix, and earnestly requested his
acceptance of the post. Iis name was sent to the Senate on
the 17th of May, and the nomination was unanimously confirmed, without the usual reference.
In accepting the position thus tendered to him, under circumstances peculiarly honorable and complimentary, General
Dix bade farewell, for many years, to the tranquillity of the
domestic circle and the quiet of the retired citizen. His appointment was regarded with universal satisfaction as one of