The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1864-01-27
Letter From General Mcclellan
10 President Lincoln Military
aud Political Policy Discussed.

The following letter rom Gen. Mcclellan
to President Lincoln will appear in the Gen
erals Report, now in the hands Of the prin'
ter.
HEADERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
CAMP NEAR HARR1soN's LANDING, Va
Monday, July Z, 1852.
Mr. President: You have been fully
informed that the rebel army is in our 'front.'
with the purpose Of overwhelming US by
attacking our positions or reducing US by
blockading cur river communications.
cannot but regard our condition as critical,
and l earnestly desire. in view OF possible
contingencies, to lay before your private
consideration, my general views concerning
the existing state of rebellion, although they
do not strictly relate to the situation OF the
army or strictly come within the scope oi
my official duties. These views amount to
convictions, ami are deeply impressed upon
mind and heart. Our cause must never be
abandoned-it is the caue OF free institu
tiohs and self government. The Constitu
tion and Union must be preserved, whatever
may be the cost in time, treasure and blood.
II secession is successful other dissolutions
ore clearly to be seea in the future. Let
neither military disaster, political faction
nor foreign war shake onr settled purpose to
enforce the equal operation OF the laws Of
the United States upon the people of every
State. The time has come when the gov
ernment must determine upon a civil and
military policy covering the whole ground
of our national trouble. The responsibility
OF determining such and military policy in
~ koll ha
ed and exercised by you, or your cause will
be lost. The Constitution gives you power
sufficient even for the present terrible exig-
ency. This rebellion has assumed the char.
acter OF war and it should be conducted up
on the highest principles known to Christian
civilization. In prosecuting it all private
property and unarmed persons should be
protected. All private property taken for
military purposes should be paid or receipts
cd for. Military arrests should not be tol
Grated except in places where active hosti>
tiles exist, and oaths not required by en-
actments constitutionally made should be
neither demanded nor received. Military
government; sh ould be confined to ths pres.
ervation OF public order and the protection
OF political rights. Military power should
Of seryitude; either by supporting or impar
ing the authority Of the master, except iol
repressing disorder, as in other cases. Slaves
contrabind under the act OF Congress, seek
ing military protection, should receive it,
The right Of the Government to appropriate
permanently to Its own service claims oil
slave labor should be asserted, and the right
OF the owner TO compensate therefore should
be recognized. THis principle might DO ex-
tended upon grounds of military necessity
and security to oil the slaves within o par
ticular State, and in Missouri, perhaps in
Western Virginia, also, and possibly even in
Maryland, the expcdiency Of such measure
is only question Of time. A sy stem oil
policy thus constitutional and conservative,
ard prevaded by the influences Of Christian
itJ and freedom, would receive the support
oi almost all truly loyal men, would deeply
impress rebel masses. and all foreign nations,
and it might be humbly hoped that it wonld
commend itself to the favor Of the Almighty
Unless the principles governing the future
conduct OF our struggle shall be made known
and approved, the effort to obtain requisite
forces will be almost hopeless. a declara.
ton OF radical views, especially upon Slavery
will rapidly disintegrate our present armies :
The policy OF the Government must be sup.
ported by concentration oi military. The
national forces should not be dispersed in
expeditions, posts Of occupation and lnumer-
GUS armies, but should be manly collected
into masses and brought to bear Upon the
armies OF the Confederate States. Those
armies thoroughly defeated, and the political
structure which they support would soon
cease to exist. In carrying out any system
Of policy which you may form you will re
9uire Commander,in chief Of the army. one
who possesses your confidence, understands
your views, and who is competent to execute
your orders by directing the military forces
OF the nation to the accomplishment Of the
objects by you proposed, l do not ask that
place for myself. l am willing to serve you
in such position as you may assign me. and
will do 50 faithfully as ever subordinate
served superior. may be on the brink oil
eternity, and, as hops forgiveness from my
Maker, | have written this letter with sin,
cerity toward you and from love tor my
country. r...-
tSigned) GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN.