The weekly Butte record., 1863-11-14
Gen. Mcclellan 5 Letter.

The letter OF General Mcclellan, over which
the radical press of this State raised such q
hullabulo will be found below II is manly
and patriotic, and the only offence the radi.
Gals can find with it, is its omission to indorse
their party policy in conducting the war I,
does not oppose the var for the suppression Of
the rebellion, as they would like TO make it sp-
pear. On the contrary, it farors "the prose.
cution OF the war With all the means at the
command Of the loyal States until the military
power Of the rebellion is destroyed" But the
radicals argue hat be threw his influence for
woodward, fr Governor of Pennsylvania, and
assert that Woodward is opposed to the war
and, therefore. Mcclellan is a traitor How
far such argument ought to condnn patriot
and soldier, the people may judge. Should
they suffer themselves 10 be beguiled by such
radical sophistry, many will see the day that
they will regret their seuseless adherence 10
the dictation of fanatical demagogues
The position taken in this letter is the posi-
tion of the Democratic and conservative ele-
uent all over the country, and upoa it the peo-
pie of the loyal States were united in their de-
termination to crush the military power of the
rebellion and preserve the Union The radi-
Gals were in favor OF making the war an in.
strument for the forcible and immediate des
truetion of slavery, and prevailed upon the au-
thorities to so shape the war. In this they
were aided by faction, contemplate in num-
bers, styling themselves Democrats, who were
in favor of recognizing the rebel Confederacy
The necessity of abolishing slavery. and oppo-
sitIon TO the war, was thus dinned in the ears
of the people until they have pretty decidedly
endorsed the Abolition programme, as the les.
ser evil Of the two thus presented.
Those who suffered themselves to become the
tools of the leading abolition fanatics because
of the insane bellowings for Peace at any
price" should cast about them and see if there
was any good and sufficient reason for their
course. We contend there was not. True,
the radicals made good use of the aid thus fur
nished them by the peace men, to advance
their own partisan views. Both these radical
parties are at fault. But those most guilty of
unutierable folly are the Democrats who al
lowed these insane factions to influence their
political course. They can see the Democratic
position in McClellan's letter. Then let them
remember that the party they are acting with
conspired to defeat the Army of the Potomac
under General McClelan-did defeat him
and that he was not fnally removed from com,
mand, until after he had in general order is
sued to his command, enjoined upon it the ne
cessity of adhering to the September procla-
nation, as "the civil Was superior to the mill.
tary power of the nation" This would not do
at all, as the entire radical programme was
falsely based upon military necessity" and its
success demanded that the military should be
superior to the civil power-that the creature
should be superior to its creator. Here is the
letter:
"HoN. CHARLES J. BIDDLE, Philadelphia:
DEAR SIR:-My attention has been called to
an article in the Philadelphia Press, asserting
that | had written TO the managers of the
Democratic meeting at Allentown, disapprov-
ing OF the objects OF the meeting, and that, if |
voted or spoke, it would be in favor of Gov
Curtin. am informed that similar assertions
have been made throughout the State. 1t has
been my earnest eDdeavor, heretofore, to avoid
participation in party politics, and had de-
lermned to adhere to this course, but il is OBJ
vious that | cannot long maintain silence under
such Misrepresentation. | therefore request
you to deny that have written any such let
ter, or entertained any such views as those at
tributed to me in the Philadelphia Press.
desire to state clearly and distinctly that, hav-
ing some few days ago had a full conversation
with Judge W oodward, | fnd that our views
agree, and regard his election as Governor of
Pennsylvania called for by the interest of the
nation. | understand Judge Woodward to be
in favor of the prosecution of the war with al
the means at the command Of the loyal States
until the military power of the rebellion is de-
stroyed. | understand him to be of the opin-
ion that while the war is waged with all posi-
BILE decision and energy, the policy of directing
il should be in coDsonaDce with the principles
of humanity and civilization, working no injury
to private rights and property not demanded
by military necessity aud recognized by mill
iary law among civilized nations. Aud, finally
| understand him to agree with me in the opin.
len that the sole great objects of this war are
the restoration of the unity of the nation, the
preservation of the Constitution and the su.
premacy Of the laws Of the country. Believing
that our own opinions entirely agree upon
these points, would. were it in my power
give to Judge Woodward my voice and my
vote.
l am, very respectfully, yours,
GEO. Is. MCCLELLAN.