The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-29
Mcclellan and Washington City.
Presentation Of Complimentary
Resolutions.
Speech of General Mcclellan.

The New York Her0t0 Oh LILO 1oIh,
contains long account of the presenta-
ton to Gen. MCCLELLAN of the resolu-
tons of the City Council of Washington,
which we published few days ago. The
deputation was composed of some twenty
or thirty gentlemen, including a number
of New York celebrities, besides members
of the Washington Common Council and
militia. The General received his visitors
in the most cordial manner. He was
dressed in a neat black suit, and looked
much better than on any public occasion
since his arrival in the city. General
FIR JOHN PORTER, Mr.. GEORGE MCLEAN,
and few members of his staff were pres
ent by the side of their old chief, and
some four or five distinguished citizens
were also in attendance. We omit the
presentation speech, but give the.
RESPONSE OF GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
General Mcclellan, in reply, stated that
it was with unusual pride and satisfaction
that he received this token of the conf
dence and esteem of the Common Council
and citizens of Washington, not only be-
cause it is the capital of the nation, but
because its people were the first thrown
into the path of this civil war and the first
to encounter its dangers. Had your peo-
pie (said he) not been loyal, then our cap
ital would have been gone forever. His
tory would do them justice for their noble
conduct in that crisis OF the country. But
he hoped no necessity would ever arise to
question the loyalty of the people of Wash
ington. Their fidelity to the Union is too
we'll known to permit any one to doubt it
for an instant. 1t was true that he (Gen.
McClellan) had once found Washington
threatened by armed rebels and in danger
of being captured. He took very little
credit TO himself, so far as related to
the saving of the national capital from
destruction. Whatever was done at
that time was due to the noble ar
my which he had the honor to command.
To them it was due, and he knew they
would feel themselves we'll rewarded in
knowing that those who were most inter-
ested in saving Washington from the enc
my were satisfied with their conduct.
He felt doubly honored that so many re-
spectacle citizens of Washington had TAX
en- the trouble to come such long dis
tance for the purpose of presenting him
with such complimentary testimonial,
and he begged them to receive his most
heartfelt thanks, and also to convey to the
people of Washington the assurance of his
appreciation of this token of their esteem
and confidence. In conclusion, he hoped
that the fortunes of war would never again
make it necessary that he should be called
to the defence of Washington against the
assaults of an invading army, either for
eign or domestic.
The short speech of che General was lis
tened to with the profoundest attention,
and not until he concluded the last syllable
did his audience indulge in the slightest
demonstration of applause.
A general conversation next followed.
The General inspected the magnifcently
framed copy of the resolution, and ex-
pressed himself highly pleased and graft
fed. Wine next came, and for half an
hour or more the deputation INDUCED in
the most agreeable festivities, drinking the
health of General Mcclellan, perpetuity to
the Union, and success to the Army of the
Potomac. General Mcclellan and General
Porter were asked many questions relative
to the state of the country, and replied
Will Illc uIIuOSL lrdLkuoSS.
Some one asked if there was any doubt
about the death of Stonewall Jackson. {"
Gen. Mcclellan replied that he thought
not, and expressed himself much grieved
at the event. "No one," said he, "can
help admiring a man like Jackson. He
was sincere, and true and valiant. Yet
no one has disappointed me more than he
has. Jackson was one of my classmates,
and at college never promised to be the
man he has proved himself He was
always very slow, and acquired lesson
only after great labor And yet his de-
termination was so great that he never
gave anything up until he had succeeded.
His character seems to have changed
since; Tor he has exhibited great celebrity
in all his movements, while in command
of rebel forces
81 suppose" remarked gentleman,
jackson was the ablest General in the
South. -
''He is undoubtedly great loss to the
rebels" replied General Mcclellan. 'Lee
is perhaps the most able commander they
have, and Jackson was their best execu-
tive officer
The conversation next turned on the
famous flight of President Lincoln from
Harrisburg to Washington, and the state
of the national capital at the time OF the
Inauguration. General Mcclellan, in re
ply to various questions, stated that at the
time referred to he did not think there
was much danger either to the person of
President Lincoln or to the capital. Since
then he had, however, obtained informa-
ton which led him to believe that there
really was conspiracy to seize the person
of Lincoln, and also to gain possession of
Washington. Had either event occurred.
the effect might have changed the whole
character OF events, and resulted in the
Southern conspirators becoming the de
.facto government. Possession of the ma
tional capital, he thought, would have
given the rebels moral force equal to
three hundred thousand men.
A gentleman inquired if there would be
any improperly in asking whether the
rumor that General Mcclellan had tender
ed his resignation to the President was
true or false.
The General promptly answered.
runlor has not the slightest foundation in