"The best immediate thing for you to do is to have the _Union_[56] begin at once prudently to disavow and denounce the wrongdoers, and educate our people. "In haste, "Very truly Yours, "S. J. TILDEN." JOHN A. DIX TO TILDEN "3 WEST 21ST ST., _2 Sept., 1871_. "MY DEAR SIR,--I am just going to my country-place at Westhampton, Long Island, and am sorry that I cannot have a few minutes with you to talk about city affairs. It seems to me that every honest man must be sincerely desirous of a thorough investigation; for, independently of the wrong to the taxpayers, it must be evident that popular government cannot be maintained unless the authors and sharers of the plunder, of which we have unquestionable evidence, can be discovered and disgraced. I earnestly hope that you, who stand before the community with as enviable a reputation for integrity as any man in it, and who can do so much to effect the object in view, will take an active part in the movement which is in progress. "I wished to see you on another matter. I have looked for two years in vain for my war-horse. He has disappeared. I have, therefore, got another horse--not a war-horse, I hope. If you have not parted with my saddle and bridle, are you willing to let me have them? As my seat was molded to the saddle by six years of daily use, I should not probably find another so well fitted to it. If you will do so, and at the same time let me know their value, you will greatly oblige me.[57] "Yours very truly, "JOHN A. DIX." "_Hon. Saml. J. Tilden._ "My address is 3 W. 21st St. My son forwards my letters when I am out of town." S. J. TILDEN (CIRCULAR LETTER AS CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE) "NEW YORK, _Sept. 11, 1871_. "DEAR SIR,--The time between the meeting of the State convention and the election being a little shorter than usual, it has been deemed advisable to begin preparations for the canvass _at once_, so that even more than the ordinary period for organization will be afforded. The poll-book for your district has been already sent to the chairman of your county committee, and may be had on application to him. "The Democracy have never been called on to act when _wisdom_ and _courage_, and _devotion_ to _principle_ and to _right_ were more needed than at the State convention about to be held. "I appeal to you, therefore, to attend the primary meeting which will choose delegates to your Assembly district or county convention, and to send to that convention your most discreet and best citizens, in order that they in turn may choose as delegates to the State convention men _eminent_ for _judgment_, _integrity_, and _honor_, and who have, in the largest degree, the trust and confidence of their fellow-citizens.