The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-14
THE PRESIDENCY.
Gen. McClernand for Mcclellan.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Oct. 6.-The hegis'er
Will publish tomorrow morning the loi-
lowing letter from Gen. McClernand:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.,, Oct. 6.-The Register
Will publish tomorrow morning the loi-
lowing letter from Gen. McClernand:
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Oct. 4, 1864.
Gpvr,r,,rS. Your communication of the
3Oth of Sept. ultimO, inviting me 10 address
the public in a speech on the state OF thecOun-
try and the impending Presidential election is
received. In answer l have to say that have
received numerous communications OF like
character, as we'll as many private letters, So
liciting my views on the same subject, but
from a sense Of the prophecies of my position
as a military officer, have hitherto forebOrne to
respond to any of them, and would continue
to do so as to all such requests but for the dis
respect it would imply for their authors, and
the contradictory statements that have been
put forth by opposition parties and newspapers
as to my choice for President 1t is, I repeat,
under these circumstances that I undertake
now and in this instance to depart from the
rule had prescribed for myself and venture
to offer you and all concerned the following
hasty but sincere reflections as to the condition
of the country.
1t is obvious civil war is on us, tearing the
vitals of the nation, reddening the land with
our best blood, consuming the substance Of the
people, and entailing on us and our p0sterity
an enormous public debt, and imperatively re-
quires of us to put forth unitedly, and deter
minedly, our utmost efforts to bring it to q
speedy close by crushing the rebellion. Every
man who fails in this fails in his obvious duty.
As to my choice for President, am for Geo.
B. Mcclellan. How, indeed, could be other
wise. He is lifelong Democrat. So am l..
He is a war democrat and would continue the
use of force SO long as necessary to put down
the rebellion and so would 1. Like jackson,
he would preserve the Uuion at all hazards,
even if blood should flow, treasure be expend-
ed and slavery swept away. So would l. Like
Jackson he is in favor of plain government,
void of pomp, protecting all and granting fa-
vors to none, SO am I. Like Jefferson, and
Douglas too, he believes in the sovereignty of
the people, and answering himself to this au-
thority would have all public functionary as
the servant Of the people to do the same. So
would l. Thus agreeing with him in princi-
pal, in policy, and party associations, for me
to oppose him would in my judgment be both
inconsistent and inexcusable. His distin-
guished and esteemed rival would hardly ex-
pect it.
This brief declaration seems to be incapable
of being Inexperienced or misrepresented,
yet in order to avoid such q result will add, in
negative terms, that am opposed to any policy
that would compromise the unity or dignity OF
the country for the sake of peace. With the
olive branch in one hand and the sword in the
other, let us continue to smite the rebellion hip
and thigh, until it succumbs to the constitution
and laws.
Hence absolutely and unQualifedly dissent
from all who would court praise on the basis
Of disunion regardless of their party names
and profession. Those men from an antagon-
ism of sentiment of this vital point opposed
the nomination of Gen. Mcclellan, and from
an antagonism of sentiment ON the same
point l oppose them. We are as wide apart
as the poles and his nomination l am
happy to believe will put an end to their infiu-
ence and in that and other respects open up a
new and inspiring future to the Democratic
party. Under his leadership I doubt not
that that party will again become ITSELF
Emancipated from the shackles of timid and
unphilosophical conservatism it will again
bound forth the eager and intrepid champion
of free inquiry, fearless innovation and unspar-
ing upon and rushing on, torch in hand, will
as it ought, lead the march of events For
these reasons, and in this faith 1 repeat that
am in favor of General Mcclellan.
am, gentlemen, with great respect,
Your Obedent servant
JOHN A. MCCLERNAND.
To Messrs. Col. D. Wychersham, Capt. John
Roberts, James w. Sheahan, N. H. Rdgely
Col. McAIurlry, and others.