The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-10-11
The True Policy of the War.
MCCLELLAN A STATESMAN.
-4-sE aaf }lu.rs - ...- rFaI-
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT.

5TFrom General McClellan's Official Report
While general in Chief and directing the
operations of all our armies In the field,
had become deeply impressed with the i'm
portance Of adopting and carrying out cer>
tain views regarding the conduct OF the
war, which, in my judgment, were essential
to its objects and its success During an
active campaign Of three months 10 the enc
my's country, these were go fully confirmed
that conceived il duty, in the critical
position we then occupied not to withhold
q candid expression Of the more important
Of these views from the commander-in'rbiei
whom the constitution places at the head OF
the armies and havies, as we'll "a OF the
government Of the nation. The following
Is copy of my letter to Mr. lincoln. f.
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
.Iral Scamp near Ha,rison's Landing, Va,
.7l .p'isy's "July Z, 1862.
mMR. President You have been fully
informed that the rebel army is in our front
with the purpose of overwhelming us by
.tacking our positions, or reducing US by
~ : king our river communications. | cam
o.os regard our condition as critical, aud
no. y n,- W. - desire. in view of possible con
;'aane;ss e' :. lay before your excellency,
nngeno,es, " consideration, my general
iGa yooa oaInara;ns p IA existing state Of the
rab",I;oo tnI % oIthnpah ~ the do not strictly re
late to tho situation of thu. ", ,@.;.I dn
ly come within the scope of NJ -:..;an. o
ties. These views amount to c9h'i'..T,nS .",uS
and are deeply impressed upon my ~
aud heart. Our cause must never DC aDah>
doned; it is the cause Of free institutions
and self government. The Constitution and
the Union must be preserved, whatever may
be the cost in time, treasure and blood. III
secession is successful, other dissolutlons
are clearly to be seen in the future. Let
neither military disaster, political faction,
nor foreign war shake your settled purpose
to enforce the equal operation OF the laws
Of the A,ited States upon the people ol
every State.
"The time has come when the govern
ment must determine upon tiVil ana mill
tary policy covering the whole ground OF
our national trouble The responsibility OF
determining, declaring and supporting such
civil and military policy, and OF directing
the whole course OF national AFFAIRS III re-
gard to the rebellion must now be assumed
and exercised by you, or our cause Will DC
lost. The Constitution gives you power
sufficient even for the present terrible exr'
geucy.
This rebellion has assumed the character
of war; as such it should be regarded; and
il should be conducted upon the highest
principles known to christian civilization
1t should not be war looking to the subIu
CATION of the people Of any State III any
event. Tt should not be at all war upon
population, but against armed forces and
political organizations. Neither conhsca-
ton ot property, political executions OF per
sons, territorial organization OF slaves, OF
forcible abolition of slavery should be con-
templated for moment. In prosecuting
the war, all private property and unarmet
persons should be strictly protected, sub
iiect only to the necessity Of military op-
erations. All private property taken fol
military use should be paid Or receipted for
pi,lage and waste should be treated as higf
crimes: all unnecessary trespass sternly
prohibited, and offensive demeanor by the
military towards citizens promptly rebuked
Military arrests should not he tolerated
except in places where Sctive hostllitles
exists, and oaths not required by enact
ments constitutionally made, should b'
neither demanded nor received, Military
government should be cofined to the pres
ervation OF public order and tho PROTECTOR
of political rights. Military power should
not be. allowed to interfere with tne re'a-
tons Of servitude, either by supporting o.
impairing the authority OF the master, ex
cept for repressipg disorder, as in other ca
ses. Slaves contraband under tue act o
Congress, seeking military protection
sbonld receive it. The right of the govern
4 ment to appropriate permanently to its OWL
service claims to slave labor, should be as
serted, and the right OF the owner to com
f,rat;on therefor should be recognized.