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

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MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

to Democratic traditions; for years they rested under the displeasure of administrations ruled by the sentiment of the slave
power. The triumph, though brief, seemed for the time complete. In fact, it was no triumph, but a march downward,
through some glare and pomp of temporary success, into
night and silence. In the year 1847 they were scornfully
voting down all propositions to arrest the extension of slavery, and endeavoring to provide for its perpetual continuance among us. On the 1st of January, 1863, by proclamation
from Washington, every slave throughout this country was declared free. This was the outcome of the infatuation of the
slavery propagandists. It is not so much to the North that
the black owes his freedom to-day as to the South, which, not
content with the protection afforded to that institution under the American Constitution, demanded its extension, and
attempted to break up the Union when that demand was refused. If they had listened to the counsels of wisdom and
prudence, and been content with the position held on that question by their own ancestors, the institution which they prized
so highly might have been secure among them to this day.
From May, 1846, till February, 1848, the war with Mexico
dragged its tedious length along. On the 4th of January,
1847, General Dix spoke on the bill to appoint a Lieutenant-general. On the 22d of February next following Zachary
Taylor fought and won, at Buena Vista, the battle which made
him President of the United States. Roger Sherman Dix, a
pay-master in the army, was with General Taylor at the time,
and, as chance would have it, saw service in that fight. One
or two of his letters seem to merit a place in this story:
"Saltillo, Mexico, February 25, 1847.
"MY DEAR BROTHER,-I have but a few moments to write you, but I
have such news to communicate as will be gratifying to you and every
American, man, woman, and child, and I therefore give it.
" We have had another fight with the Mexicans, and, as usual, have
gained the victory. Santa Anna commanded in person. He had 20,000
troops-we had barely 5000. Skirmishing between the two armies com