The Placer herald., 1864-11-05
Major General Keyes for Mcclellan.

MAYOR General keyeS, VINO has been IN ac'
tive service, in important command, ever
since the commencement Of the war, and
who took part ia all Of Gen. McCIelan's
great battles, is strongly in favor Of his cleo
tion to the Presidency. He arrived from
the States on the last steamer, and wrote the
following in response to an invitation to pre-
side at the Mcclellan mass meeting held in
San Francisco, on Saturday nigh, last. 1t is
worthy of remark, that the three Major Gen.
erals from California. Keyes, Naglee and
lilo 'ker. all support McCIellan:-
ID. d. Cotton. Esq, Chairman OF the Me Clellan
Central Club:
DEAR SIR:--Your note inviting me to act as
Chairman of the grand mass meeting of the Nc
Clellan Club at Union Hall this evening. and
containing remarks complimentary to myself etc,
has just been received. The high honor you pro-
pose to me, to preside over the meeting, beg
most respectfully to decline. 1t is true, as you
suggest, that | adhere to the cause of Major Gen
eral Mcclellan as II candidate for the Presidency
and my adherence is full, cordial and hearty.
The speech of Major General Mcdowell. as pub
ished in the Aita California, have read, and
am unable to find in the facts cited or the argu-
ments used, any grounds whatever to agree with
the speaker in his conclusions in regard to Cen
eral Nc Clellan as a military commander or rs a
candidate for the Presidency; on the contrary
dissent from General Mcdowell entirely. 1t is
proper that should add that my personal and
official relations with Major General Mcdowell
have always been friendly. With General Nc
ClelEln, whom have known since his boyhOOd,
have agreed in the main, on questions of mil
tary character. Otherwise, my relations with
him have been generally cordial and sometimes
confidential. For short period, however. he
WIS assaied by so many sanderers Of his true
character. that l allowed myself to underestimate
his transcendcnt merit us soldier and patriot
But Stree have had the opportunity to compare
him with other succeeding commanders and to
reflect on his conduct as n general, and the opn-
ions expressed by him with such consistency ut
all times since the war commenced, should re-
gard his election to the Presidency as the most
fortunate event which could occur for the cOun-
try. 1t would be impossible to judge Of the
merits OF Gen. Mcclellan as II soldier from de-
tached extracts from his dispatches. or casual in
stances OF his conduct selected even by u friend
y hand; and far less could they be judged from
such selections when party or personal feelings
preside at the choice My estimate of Gen. Nc.
Clcllan as a military commander, is based upon
his military plans, to gr nter or less extent
and from having compared his plans and conduct
with those of oLher officers, the result is. regard
him us the most able commander in the army.
In regard to the patriotism of Gen Mcclellan
and his love for the Union, he has on more than
one occasion, when he seemed oppressed with the
great RESPONSIBILITIES imposed upon him, and with
bis still greater fears for the perpctuity of our
Republican form of Government, expressed at all
times sentiments OF devotion to the old flag ana
for the whole Union, AS pure and as believe, as
heartfelt as any that euer issued from human lips.
| have the honor to remain, sir, your obedlont
servant E.. KEYEs