The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-01-08

The time has oome when the government
must determine upon 9 civil and military
policy covering the whole ground of our
national trouble. The responsibility of de
termining such civil and military policy
In regard to the rebellion must now be as
sumed and exercised by you, or our cause
will DO lost The Constitution gives yon
p W sufficient even for the present terri
BILE exigeucy. This rebellion has assumed
the character of war, and il should be con
Quoted upon the highest principles known
TO Christian civilization. In prosecuting it
all private property and unarmed persons
should be protected Allprivate property
taken for military purposes should be paid
or receiptsd for. Military arrests should
not be tolerated except in places where
active hostilities' exist, ard osths not re-
quired by enactments constitutionslly made
should be neither demanded nor received.
Military government should be confined to
the preservation of public order and the
protection of political rights. Military
power should not be allowed to interfere
with the relations Of sergitude; either by
supporting or impairing the authority of the
master, except for reprassing disorder, as in
other cases Slaves oontrapand uadsr the
act of Congress, seeking military protection.
should receive it. Toe right of the Gov.
ernment to appropriate permanently to its
own service claims of slave labor should be
asserted, and the right of the owner to
compensation therefor shsald be recognized.
This principle uigut be extended upon
grounds of military necessity and security
10 al! the slaves within particular State,
and in Missouri, perhaps in Western Vir-
ginia, also, aud possibly even in Maryland,
the expediency of such measure is only a
question of time. A system Of policy thus
constitutional and conservative, and perya.
ded by the influences of Christianity aud
freedom, would resolve the support Of almost
all truly loyal men, would deeply impress
rebel masses and all foreign nations, aud
it might be humbly hsped that it would
commend itselfto the favor of the Almighty.
Unless the principles governing the future
conduct of our struggle shall DC made
known aHd approved, the effort to obtain
requisite forces will be almost hopeless. A
declaration of radical views, especially up.
on Slavery, will raj idly disintegrate our
present armies. The pulley Of the Govern
ment must be supported by concentration
of military power. The national forces
should not be dispersed in expeditions, posts
Of occupation and numerous armies; but
should be manly collected into masses and
brought to bear upon the armies OF the
Confederate States. Those armies thor
oughly defeated, the political structure
which they support would soon cease TO
exist. In carrying out any system OF poll
icy which yoa may form you will re-
quire Comna, der-in-chief of the army,
one who possesses your confidence, under
stands your vie VS., land who is competent TO
execute your orders by directing the mill
tary forces Of the nation TO the accomplish.
ment Of the objects by you proposed, do
not ask that place for myself, l sm willing
TO serve you in such position as you may
assign nae, and will do SO as faithfully as
ever Subordinate served superior, may be
OH the brink of eternity, and, as | hope for
giveness from my Maker, have written
this letter with sincerity toward you and
from love for my country.
(Signed) GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN.