The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-12
The Great Mcclellan Moetfng-Cur
Generals, the. People ana the Eoii-
tfcians.


Wednesday evening was an overwhelming
popular demonstration. In enthusiasm ii
equalied, and in numbers il surnass ed, any
previous political gathering since the outbreak
OF the war Such proof Of McClei.an's popn-
iar.ty with the masses is personal compi-
ment which cannot be too hghly estimated.
But those who see no deeper significance
than personal compliment in this vast
assemblpge take very shallow views
OF public affairs. The meeting developed the
almost universal hostility Of the peop'e 10 tie
administration. II showed also that TIE reo
pie desire one or our great generals for ter
next President. Every cheer or a general wa
followed by groans Tor Lincoln. Old Abe had
not friend among the thousands present.
The most casuaN mentisn Of his name provoked
the most unanimous manifestations OF dislike
and disgust
But while the people were all at the mcetgg
and our generals were cheered Ivy the meeting,
what had become OF the TO- iicjaps? There
was she immense audience, tie blue ires ard the
red fires, the forests Of GAGS and the sea o
lanterns, the clubs march ng in procession ami
| the rockets flashing, ana all tie other pare
pherna IA Of grand political spectacle; IN
where were the leading actors? Upon tie
oils we read their names III glazing type; tut
scarcely one of them was TO be seen at the pe,
formauce. Referring to the long list OF speakers
announced we looked in vain for john Van
Buren,; FOR A. Oakey Hall; for Charles +. Da!y;
for Thomas Francis Meagher; for Wilson
G. Hunt; for Gilbert Dean; for Governor Par
kerr of New Jersey; Tor Ex-Governor Price, Of
the same State; for the Hon. Edgar Cowan; for
Reverdy Johnson for Emerson EtheIidge; for
Caleb Gushing; for Robert G. Winthrop; for
George S Hiliard; for Sunset Cox. An these
gentlemen are politicians, more or less pud al
OF them were announced to speak. Why did
they not appear? Sunset Cox was the only one
Of them who even sent an apology, and his
apology was the meagre excuse, not of import
ant bus ness or previous engagement, but of
|. "recre alton" John B. Haskin and The two
Ketchums-father and SON. were the only per-
sons of any note who addressed the meeting
The people came to listen; but the political
orators stayed away. The affair was more re-
markable for the speeches which were not
made than for those actually delivered.
The fact is that the politicians are afraid OF
the people. They are afraid to meet the
masses, and afraid to tall; to them. Perhaps
they read the advance slips Of the resolutions
adopted at the great gathering, and declined to
commit themselves to the Recommendation of
the nomination of popular general "by the
approaching convention, or by the peo-
pie" They do not like that phrase,
.'cr by the people," They want to run the
machine for themselves, leaving the people the
mere privilege of voting. They have no idea
Of allowing the people to nominate as we'll as
to elect. Accustomed as they have been to
making their little bargains with candidates, to
debating policies and to securing pledges in
regard to certain Offices, they are alarmed to
find the masses taking matters into their own
hands and forestalling these usual preliminary
arrangements. To us this feature of the McClel-
Ian meeting is the most cheerful and encourag-
ing of all. The meeting proved that the masses
are opposed to the administration; but we
knew this before. 1t proved that Mcclellan is
an exceedingly popular man; but we knew this
before. 1t proved that the peoples hearts are
true, and that they love and honor those who
have won victories for the Union; but we knew
this before. Grateful as it was in the light of a
new evidence of facts which we have often stated,
and which have been frequently disputed. the
meeting was still more grateful as an indication
that the breach between the people and the
politicians is widening, and that there is no
longer the slightest sympathy between the two
classes. That result secured, and there is some
chance OF the regeneration of the country. We
do not hesitate to say that the marked and
inexcusable absence Of all the most prominent
OF the speakers announced at the Mcclellan
meeting was an insult to the people there as
! semblcd. As such II will undoubtedly be
regarded and the people will probably resen.
it by staying away from the meetings called by
the politicians when the machine candidates
are placed in the field.
But there is wide breach not only between
the people ard the politicians, but also between
the politicians and our generals If the speak
ers advertised for Wednesday evening dared
not commit themselves to Mcclellan, they
might 1t least have paid their humble orato-
real tribute to all our great generals, express
ing no preference for any. But it is a SELF
evident truth that they are afraid of all our
great military men. They do not want men in
office; they want tools, TO be used'for certain
patty purposes. Terrified as they are at the
Increasing popularity Of our generals, they are
still more terrified OF the prospect OF having a
man Ike Jackson at the head Of The M.
tion, who Will be entirely Independent Of
their oiques, who Will not carry out
tseir bargains and who will act for
tho good q the country, regardless Of
tic interests or this Or that wirepullor Vita
all their foolshuess they are shrcwd enough 70