The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1864-09-08

The southern people regard General
Mcclellan with respect similar to that
which is felt in the North for General
Lee and the memory of Stonewall Jackson
The private character of Lee, and the skill
he has shown in directing the defense off
Virginia, have in great degree extin-
guished the hatred which the North would
otherwise feel for him as leader in a
cause which strikes at the life of the gov
ernmcnt it regards with 80 much rcver.
encc and for which it has given So many
proofs of devotion. The Army of the Po-
tomac, whose ranks have been dccimated
by Lee, entertain for him the respect
which noblcness of character. consummate
generalship and proven courage extort
from generous opponents.
! When Early, few weeks since made
his raid into Maryland, it was reported by
the administration press that his officers
spoke of Mcclellan as "the only one of our
Generals who could properly command an
army Their testimony upon this point
Vas commented on with a view of proving
the ''rebel sympathies of Mcclellan. Ev-
cry abolition newspaper circulated the re-
port, accompanying it with such comments
as were thought to be best calculated to
produce this impression. The report was
undoubtedly true, and its truth gives just
assurance that in the event of McClellan's
election the prejudice which the opposing
sections have felt against the men charged
with the conduct of the respective govern
ments will no longer operate to prevent
frank negotiations for peace.
The war at its commencement was rath-
er contest between tAc leaders of the Sc
cession and abolition parties than between
the southern and northern people. A ma
jority of two-thirds in the northern States,
and ofnearly equal magnitude in the South,
earnestly deprecated an attempt at diJ-
union, and shrunk with dismay from the
horrors which they forcsaw would attend
such an effort The leaders in the aboli-
tion party were glad the southern delega-
tions withdrew from Congress. They
hoped the withdrawal would afford them
an opportunity to punish by force those
who had punished them IN many bitter and
exciting debates in Congress, and which
eliminated in open defiance of Mr.. Lin
coins administration on the part of the
South.
1t was more to infiict vengeance on these
men, than to maintain the princi pies of the
government, that led Senator Chandler to
demand "a little blood letting" 1t was
more spirit Of resentment against the
men composing the administration of Mr..
Lincoln and those supporting it in Con-
gress, than fear of assault upon their con-
stitutional rights, which induced southern
members of Congress to vacate their seats
and engage in rebellion Chandler, in
spring his abolition associates in Congress-
and Mason of Virginia, infusing venom
into southern members, were representa-
tives not of the principles of parties, or
feelings of sections or constituencies. but
of feuds between partisan leaders. The
nations interests and hopes were treated
as chaff that the malevolence of these men
might be gratifed.
These men now administer the govern
ments North and South, and the war which
they prccipitated has added to the hatred
which first spurred them to the contest
The South has no feeling Of bitterness
against the democratic party The party did
| L
constitutional rights of slavery should not
be tresspassed upon. 1t did this while be-
lieying that Mr.. Lincoln would respect the
constitution. Its efforts proved abortive,
and it then demanded that both Mr.. Lin
coin and the South should obey the consti
tuition. This has been its constant atti-
tude during the war, and it is one which
the southern people cannot but respect.
Uncompromsing secessionists have
repeatedly declared that their cause had
more to fear from the triumph of the dem
ocratic party than from the armies of Mr.
Lincoln. The latter they could withstand,
but the former brought "vsions of weak
kneed' southerners, tired of war" and
looking back to the old Union The cleo
tion of Mcclellan will remove the hatred
between the men composing the admins
trations Of the two governments. 1t is
hardly to be expected that the parties can
Immediately agree upon terms, but it may
confidently be expected that the facilities
which his election will open for frank
interchange of views will speedily lead to
an honorable peace. The Union can be
restored upon terms which will not in the
slightest degree trench upon the honor of
either of the parties and which will i'm
meaIurably advance the interests of both.
What reason, then, have We to foar that
open negotiations for this end between sa-
gacious statesmen who will meet each 9TH
er in fair and friendly spirit can fail of
their purpose?
TIE WELDON RAILROAD.-The des-