Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-01-16

fident he can keep open my communica-
tions by the James" Excepting an at
tack, he says, as necessity to the enemy,
and feeling the critical nature of the posi-.
ton, Gen. NJ 'Clellan on the same day ad.
dressed to the President the following let
ter
"MR. PRESIDENT You have been full
ly informed that the rebel army is in our
front, with the purpose of overwhelming
US by attacking our positions or reducing
US by blockading our river communica-
tons. cannot but regard our condition |
as critical, and l earnestly desire, in view
of possible contingencies, to lay before !
your Excollency, for your private consider
alton, my general views concerning the
existing state Of the rebellion, although |
they do not strictly relate to the situation
of the army or strictly come within the
scope Of my official duties. These views
amount to convictions, and are deeply i'm
pressed upon my mind and heart.
"Our cause must never be Abandoned
it is the cause of free institutions and self.
government. The Constitution and Uni.
on must be preserved, whatever may be
the cost in time, treasure, and blood. II
secession is successful, other dissolutions
are clearly 10 be seen i'll the future. Let
! neither military disaster, political faction,
t nor foreign war shake your settled pur.
q pose to enforce the equal operation of the
= laws of the United States upon the people
- of every State.
= "The time has come when the govern
: ment must determine upon a civil and mil
y itary policy covering the whole ground OF
our national trouble. The responsibility
of determining, declaring and supporting
: such civil and military policy, and of di-
% recting the whole course Of national affairs
z in regard to the rebellion, must now be
II assumed and exercised by you or our
h cause will be lost. The Constitution gives
YOU power sufficient even for the present
IL terrible exigency.
< "This rebellion has assumed the char
W acter OF war; as such it should be regard
10 ed, and it should be conducted upon the
highest principles known to Christian civ
ilzation. | should not be war looking
to the subiugalon OF the people of any
'e State in any event Is should not be at
h all war upon population, but against
,e armed forces and political organization,-
,o Neither confscation of property, political
~ executions of persons, territorial organiza-
y ions OF States, or forcibe abolition of sla-
ms very should be contemplated for moment.
G. In prosecuting the. war all private proper
he ty and unarmed persons should bo strict
!, ly protected, subject only to the necessity
Il of military operations. All private prop
as erty taken for military use should be paid
as or reeeipted for; pillage and waste should
he be treated as high crimes; all unnecessa
ry trcspass sternly prohibited, and often
, sive demeanor by the military toward cit
u izens promptly rebuked. Military arrests
p should not be tolerated except in places
to where active hostilites exist, and oath;
lat not required by onactments constitutional
/, ly made should be neither demanded mol
y received Military government should be
d eonlned to the preservation of public or
en- der and the protection Of political rights
Military power should not be allowed tt
,lo interfere with the relations of servtude
70 either by supporting or impairing the au
;, thority of the master, except tor represslns
he disorder, as in other cases Slaves con
OF traband under the act Of Congress, seekins
IN. military protection should receive it,
M The right Of the government to appropri
"a ate permanently to its own service claim
.'' ~" of slave labor should be assented, and tn
''h right Of the owner to compensation there
lie, for should be recognized. The principl
yht might be extended upon grounds of mill
an tary necessity and security to all tn
slaves within particular State, thus work
i"u inp manumission in such State ; and i
9TH Missouri, perhaps in Western Nirgni
,lly also, and possibly even in Maryland, tn
de. eXpcdiency of such measure is only
. - question OF time.
- - "a system of policy thus constitutions
'no and conservative. and pervadcd by the in
ms Aueuces Of Christianity and freedom wcul
led receive the support OF almost all truly 10y
The al men, would deeply impress the reb'
-, masses and all foreign nations, and
''' might be hoped that it would commen
nts itself to the favor of the Almighty.
S OF "Unless the principles governing th
lts future conduct of our struggle shall
made known and approved, the effort
=, obtain requisite forces will be almost hope
'"y less. A declaration of radical views, G
not pecially upon slavery, will rapidly dish
ere tcgrate our present armies.
, us 1.-THE policy of the government must
no supported by oncentration of militar
power The national forces should not
pat pat dispersed in expeditions, posts oil occupi
the ton, and numerous armies, but should
the mainly collected into masses and brougl
the to bear upon the armies of the Confedera
:. States, Those armies thoroughly defea
y ed the political structure which they SUI
'en' port would soon cease to exist
eted : Sin carrying out any system of polio
nals which you may form you Will require
UNI h'chiei o. the army, one WI
our possesses you. :. an,no,ont ~ ovoor