"I notice a disposition in some quarters--how extensive it is I have no means of knowing--to confine the approaching contest to a single issue--constitutional or unconstitutional government. It would be a fatal error. The contest will be severe; and, if the conservative men of the country are faultless in their tactics, it will nevertheless be close. They cannot afford to dispense with the strength they would derive from opposition to practical abuses, which are apart from constitutional questions--the financial and commercial mismanagement, and the reckless expenditure by Congress. To ignore these issues would be to dishearten all the friends of honest reform in the administration of the government and make them passive spectators of the contest. "The power of the old Albany regency consisted in the frankness and intrepidity with which they met all public questions. The people never give their confidence to artful dodgers. Nothing will save you but a bold, manly policy. You ought to take ground in language not to be misunderstood: "1. In favor of bringing back the Southern States on the same terms as the others. "2. Of maintaining inviolate the public credit. "3. Of returning as speedily as possible to specie payments, and of reducing forthwith the paper circulation. "4. Of repealing, simultaneously with the resumption of specie payment, the act of Congress making paper a legal-tender. "5. Of reducing the enormous duties on imports, which are destroying our commerce, and will ultimately react most injuriously on our agriculture and manufactures; and "6. Of reducing the public expenditure by a rigid system of economy and lightening the burden of taxation. "Nor will this be sufficient, unless you present to the people, as the exponents of these principles, men who are known to be their tried advocates, and who in the late Civil War were active and unqualified supporters of the government. With every advantage on the other side, Gen. Grant will be a hard man to beat. It is but a few months since the Democracy thought seriously of making him their candidate; and there are multitudes who do not believe, and cannot be made to believe, that he will favor ultra measures of government, under whatever auspices he may be elevated to power. "Having given you all this good advice unasked, it only remains for me to say that I am glad to hear you are to be a candidate for Governor next fall, and that I am, as ever, "Very truly Yours, "JOHN A. DIX.[46]" "_Hon. Saml. J. Tilden._ "P. S.--What a folly it was to talk about paying in paper a bonded debt (5/20) not due for years to come! We should hold our tongues and settle the question by resuming specie payments." WM. S. HAWLEY TO S. J. TILDEN ADVOCATES THE NOMINATION OF S. P. CHASE "_N. Y., May 22, '68._ "HON. S. J. TILDEN.