Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-10-13
Highly important Letter from the
Elder Blair,

ing publishes a long letter from old Frank
Blair, giving the full history OF his nego-
tiations with Mcclellan. forward near
ly the whole OF the remarkable document:
Il went to New York to heal the diyis-
ion in the Union party by presenting my
views t, leading men. These men had in
their hands means of giving direction to
various aud large sections Of that party
went to leading men and leading orgaui-
cations OF public opinion. there to ascertain
in what way harmony would be best at
tanned. believed that united opposition
To the rebellion could be concentrated on
on the man against whom tie enemy had
declared war, because the nation had made
him its Chief Magistrate, and for whom
the delegates of a great party e.ecting in
the first instance. hal again given its pet
erence by re nomination. | went on this
account. without consulting the President
without giving him. directly or indi
rectly. the slightest intimation of my OBJ
iect, and. of course. without his authority
appraised n. one bat my son when
reached New York. first saw the eli
tors of the Evening Post. This press had
evidenced dissatisfaction with the Admin
istration. Its conductors felt that they
had good grounds for discomfort. tx
planned to Mr. Bryant the attitude OF the
President. a. understood it. in reference
TO the matter that aggrievcd him, both as
regards vital measures for the safety of
the Republic. and of minor concerns of a
personal character. | found Mr. Bryant
the honest patriot which the whole of his
lite hal shown him. He considered Mr..
Lincoln, with all attachments. the only
man on whom we coud rely for the main
tenance OF the cause in which we had en-
barked. for the union of its strength and
the restoration OF the National Govern
ment.
next saw Bennett. of the Herald. /
had long. agreeable and enlightened
conversation with him. | expressed my
views with earnestness and iranknrss, anil
a. he did entertained them, not forgetting
the old scoIe ot differences. and a, | lett
his office Inc gave me. in pretty emphatic
Scotch accent. his last worlds COR the Pres
ilehi: Tell him to restore Mcclellan 10
the army. aud he will carr! the election by
default
| came down on Nr. Greeley Nv in-
terview with him satisfied me that his hest
efforts would not be wanting tn secure the
peace OF the country through the Re cleo
tiun Of Mr.. Lincoln.
Through Mr.. Barton. an intimate, per-
sonal aud political iriend "f Gen. McChl
Ian. who was not In the city. lei it be
known that | wouii be Sra,,n~d by an OPP
portrnity Of conversing with him. lie
came to town and visited me IN my lodg-
ings at the AstOr House had an hours
with him; which | prelacei
Ivy telling him the motives which had
brought me to New York. as have stated
them above, and by stating distinctly to
him that | did not come from Alr. Lincoln.
and had no authority or even consent from
him to make representations or overtures
of any sort to him; that he { Mr.. L. J had
not been appiised of my visit or purpose,
which was III paFt to advise with him
{ Gen. Mcclellan as one whom lie knew
to be his friend, with regard to tn public
interest and his own. / told him | had
little doubt he would'be the nominee of
the Chicago Convention. aud that If he
accepted he would be defeated, and defeat
ed. his fate would be that of all previous
ly defeated candidates who had played for
the Presidency-Clay, Calhoun. Webster
and the rest. That although aspiration to
the chief place in the republic was an
ambition there was am instinct
in the public mind which always excluded
from gene. al confidence one who sought it
with the least suspicion of seltishness at
the ex pcnse of great national consilcra
tons. AL If the public once pronounced
its ban by voting him down. as having
sought the place without duly weighing
its great exigency, AMI especially in such
a revolutionary crisis a. the present, he
conld never rise again. i uiged thar he /
ought to CONSIDER that at this momeit
scbism of the Union party OF the north in
the issue OF the Presidency was looked up
on everywhere at home aud abroad as the
only way PCS lille through which the re-
hellion could 'complish it's ohirct. tie
di.nlurion OF the Union; that believed he
the General. was the only man who had
position that enabled any patty in the
North TO rail- or to command Offers that /
could make breach in the patriot Union
party so a TO de e It il IN any essential de-
gree. or be liable to give success, or even
the hore, to the enemies of our govern
nent. foreign or domestic. and on tbis
ground appealed to him to withhold his
name from the so-called peace men. who
were soon TO assemble at Chicago. ex-
pressed the opinion that it was his duty 10
his country. and. therefore. his own trne
policy. a. it regarded his fame and aspi
rations to public fame to address o note
20 Mr.. Lincoln asking command in the
army. disclaiming. at the same time, thai
ne did not seek il with a view to recon-
mend himself TO a Presidential nomina-
ion; that | thought hoped he too
hought. that no man. especially In revolu-
ionary times. ought to lead an army in
he field aud aim through the strength of
hat position at Cnce. to grasp the civil
power of the Government. That no man
lad ever marched from the battle field to
be civil power by an army which he dis
iplined and lei in person. and did not
ini himself able and willing to use that
rmy to secure that position. urged.
therefore,. that If he wished to exert the