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

1845-1853.] FEALTY TO THE RADICAL DEMOCRACY.

235

This unfortunate and unexpected position must be borne in
mind in connection with what followed.
Thus fir the quarrel in the Democratic party was strictly
a family dispute; no outsiders had as yet been drawn in, and
therefore the alienation was not altogether hopeless.
A meeting was held at New York, July 18, to ratify the
nominations of the Radical Democracy. General Dix was
not present; he wrote a letter, however, giving his adhesion
to the movement at the stage which it had then reached. It
will be observed that he mentions Mr. Van Buren only, Mr.
Dodge's name having been withdrawn:
" Washington, July 17,1848.
GENTLEMEN,-I received some days ago your favor of the 7th instant
inviting me to attend and address a meeting of the Democracy of the
city of New York in the Park, on the 18th instant, 'for the purpose of
ratifying the nomination of Martin Van Buren for the Presidency, and
of contributing to the extension of free soil and the perpetuation of free
labor.'
" I have deferred answering your favor to the latest practicable moment from a desire to accept the invitation, if in my power, without neglecting my public duties. But I find it impossible. Important subjects
of legislation press on both Houses of Congress; and I may at any moment be required to vote on some one of them.
"In respect to the great question on which so deep an interest is felt
by yourselves and those you represent, I have so recently expressed my
opinion in the most public manner that any farther annunciation of it
would be superfluous. It accords entirely with your own; and much as
I desire to see this distracting question settled, I cannot advocate or
acquiesce in any adjustment by which slavery will be planted where it
does not now exist.
" So long as there was a possibility of maintaining the integrity of the
Democratic party in New York, without submitting to a sacrifice of principle, my efforts were directed, in every proper way, to the restoration of
harmony. Events too clearly indicate the hopelessness of its reunion.
Under such circumstances I cannot hesitate an instant as to the course
of propriety and duty. From the Radical Democracy of New York I
cannot separate; their principles and measures are those for the maintenance of which I have contended, side by side, with them in the political field from the moment I entered it. To introduce and preserve a