Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-10-26
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. NE
CESSITY.

1ne plea OF mlntary necessity wmch
has from time to time been urged by the
Administration in justification of acts,
which at the first glance may have SEEM
ed unauthorized by law, has been met
with shrieks of indignation from the Cop
perheads. They have yelled "Consti-
too-oo-oo-shun" and have denounced
military necessity" as only another
name for defence of that sacred instru-
ment, and the establishment of despotsm.
In no instance did this policy evoke more
fearful demonstrations of wrath, than
when as a measure of military necessi-
"" the President issued his famous Pro.
clamation of Emancipation. Upon the
PRONUNCIATION of that document al
Doughfacedom screeched with horror,
and writhed in mortal agony of body and
soul. Perhaps the history of the orgir
of the idea of adopting the Emancipation
policy as measure of military necessi'
ty," might be startling news to some o
the Mcclellan Democracy. 1t is all dowr
in black and white, is part of the archlve.
of the nation, and the Dandy Grave Dig
ger can't rub it out with his kid gloves
In his famous letter to the President
written at his headquarters at Harrison.
Landing, George B. Mcclellan said:
Slaves ccntraband under the act Of Con
gress, seeking military protection should re
ceire IL The right of the government TO ap
propridte permanently to its own service
claims to slave labor, should be asserted, anC
the right of the owner to compensation there
for should be recognized.
This principle might be extended, upon
grounds of military necessity and security tt
ALL THE SLAVES WITHIN \ PARTICULAR
STATE, THUS WORKING MANUNIssIoS ~
such a State; and in Missouri, perhaps II
Western Virginia also, and possibly even II
MARYLAND, the expediency Of such measure
is only a question ftime.
A system of policy thus constitutional anC
conservative and pervaded BY the influence o
Christianity and freedom would receive the
deeply impress the Rebel masses and al
foreign nations, and it might be humbly
hoped that it would commend itself TO the
favor of the Almighty.
There is the whole idea of Emancipa
ton as a measure of " military necessity,
and it was upon this strong recommen
dation, coming from the Commander-in'
Chief of the Army, that President Lin
coin acted when he issued his proclama
ton. And yet, the very party who have
ever since made such an cutlery against
that Proclamation and denounced it as 6
piece of despotic usurpation of power
have nominated, and are now supporting
for the Presidency, the very man who
first suggested the idea to Mr.. Lincoln
and appealed to the Almighty" to wit
ness its justice. What is It that has sc
wonderfully changed within the past two
years: Truth cannot change that is i'm
mutable. 1t must be either the circun-
stances surrounding the rebellion, or the
views of the Democratic party, or George
B. Mcclellan. If the latter. what has SC
opened his eyes, that what then seemed
to him so just and so holy, that he could
confidently appeal to the Almighty fol
endorsement, now seems black and horri-
Bile despotism: Has he changed; or
does he hold the same opinions still
We incline to the belief that he has no
opinions at all. 1t makes little difference
to those who nominated him what hi:
opinions are. II they could but elect hin
to the Presidency he would have to be
the plant tool of his traitor masters, or 8
dose of poison would soon remove the
miserable little wretch, and George H
Pendleton, man with a hearty will &c
do the behests of JEFF. Davis, would rule
the land.
The sentiments expressed in the letter
from which We have quoted above, vert
undoubtedly the honest convictions o.
George B. Mcclellan, whether they were
original with him or not. They are re-
plete with sound sense, and the excel.
lence of the policy recommended has beer
established after thorough trial. 1t i:
endorsed to-day by hundreds of thous'
ands who disscnted from the doctrine
when first proclaimed, and it will remain
the policy of the Government until thi:
rebellion lays down its arms. Those whit
are opposed to the Emancipation Procla'
nation and the doctrine of military nc
cessity" and still propose to vote TO
George B. Mcclellan must have quee'
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