Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-25
Speech If Amos Kendall,
At tho Great Mcclellan Meeting I'm
New YORK.


a representative OF the Jacksonan age aud the
JAck-onian politics Applause | only wish
that the old chief we're here that | might stand
by him 10 night As have done in days long gone
bv Applause Manv NAV think il strange
that 80 old a | am. whose political life
has long since ended. who has every comfort
about hiIn-that such a man should again en-
bark upon the stormy sea OF politics What.
they may ask. has brought you hetel What has
brought YOU TO address this immense assembly,
! answer. the deplorable condition of my country.
Applause II there Is nothing IN that which
eau infuse life into the political fossils deridei by
the upstairs of the present day. then our cOuutry
is in hopeless condition indeed Why fellow
citizens il the old chief with whom it was my
honor and my pleasure serve in the govern
ment could by anv possibility rise from his grave,
the condition OF his beONs Ell country at this peril
Gus hour would surely resurrect him. We have
seen for many years past scenes approaching,
which now have delused our country in blood.
Two factions-one South. another NOrth-have
been for years persistently tuggirg ut the
tremities OF this Union. If the old chief could
arise from his grave to-day with the arms and the
strength of archange. he would say to one.
Il tell YOU stand there" and to the other, Il
tell you to stand there: cease this terrible fater-
nal strife, this issue of violence and blood
Applause. and That's it. He woald say TO
them both. The constitution and the govern
ment which Washington and, his compatriOts
fra med and handed down to YOU as rich heritage
is the best you can hope for in any event: sub
NIT the constitution and the laws OF your
country North as well as South Applause
Let men OF the North mind their own business,
and men of the South submit TO the constitution
and the laws" Renewed applause But, gen
temeu. these factions have become military--the
far no al nf
Davis and the faction North under the direction
OF Abraham Lincoln Kisses have brought the
two ends of this Union IN collision with each
other. and it is this that has almost drowned the
country in blood What does the country now
wantr Undoubtedly there are individuals here
entertaining various opinions: some are called
War Democrats. some Peace Democrats. some
Conservatives, and would lain hope there are
many Republicans who regret that they have
aided In putting the present incumbents IN Office
VIVA, we want Is union of all men OF conserva-
tive principles all men who wish this strife To
cease. who wish the Union restored, who Yish il
done in the kindesi manner in which II pfsibly
can be done: not that the leaders OF the rebel
lion should not be subjected TO the punishment
which the laws would inlict upon them it prop
erly executed. but that Justice should be temper
ed with mercy. ami that the innocent should not
be punished with the guilty Loud applause !
But, gentlemen. | have not the physical ability
10 make a long speech The scene before me j.
great one; the theme is also great: but others
may succeed me who more competent To dis
cuss it than | am. | shall. therefore content
myself with brief exposition OF the conduct of
our Government towards the Army of the Poto-
mac. Applause
Most OF YOU. | presume. gentlemen. have read
Gen McClellanS report Tremendous ap
plause. AMI cheers tor Mcclellan You have
seen the elucidation of his plans tor conducting
this war; YOU have seen now conservative his
principles were; YOU have seen how he took the
material placed IN his hands. and nodded it
into one of the most IN lgnihcent armies that ever
trod the earth Renewed applause You have
seen him in command ot this army. arranging
his plans for an attack upon Richmond All
these plans, YOU will see. were in their origin
ami in their progress approved by the military
authorities AZ Washington He promised
and WAS 10 have not only the army under his
own immediate command. but also the division
ol cen Mcdowell. consisting of thirty five or
forty thousand men. With the full expectation
and anticipation OF the support ot this division
he commenced his march toward Richmond upon
the Peninsula. fought several fierce and sangui-
nary battles. and was IN the vicinity OF Rich
mond, Geu NcDowell's division WIS approach
ing; At one time their pickets and these OF the
army of Gen Mcclellan were within shout twelve
miles ~ each other. But suddenly, unexpected
w. and without premOniti0n. this support Of
thirty thousand men was ordered of up7n other
duty Upon this he reliei for the reinforcement
of his army which was then on the nor thern side
OF Richmond You may recoliect some OF the
incidents said To have occurred two wears. or
nearly two wears ago-the time TO which | al
Jude men Mcdowell receis Ell the order oi the
President directing hun IL advance upon other
ipd -bar
to the President. 1t j. ~ singing blow 20 me-"
and the President answered him by IN inkinp him
tor the uromptituJe oil his obedience, but persi.-
ted IN the order. be then sent another message
To the President. saying. Il cannot do the ser
vice which YOU have ordered me upon; can be
OF service here. but OF none upon the service of
which YOU have ordered me. Stili the military
powers al Washington persisted in sending the
thirty-hse thousand men upon what might be
called "a wild goose chase" after Jackson The
consequence WAS that Gen. Mcclellan wrs de-
prived OF the assistance of thirty FIVE or forty
thousand men. Gen: Jackson in~te,d of being
captured by this corps-and this Mcdowell said
he could not do-tell upon the RICH, wing OF
McClellan'- army. which WAS not supported ~ il
was To have been. by this thirty FIVE thousand
After some OF the highest and sblesl gen
arsship ever EXHIBITED anywhere. Gen MrClel-
Ian WAS obliged 10 fall back upon the jane.
river. Now, who VAS responsible Tor that neces-
sity?
Well. he i back upon the james river about
twenty five miles IRON Richmond he bsCs the
governments TO le, him remain there. ana s.ys TO
them. give ns additional force of thirty
thousand men and will take Richmond" No
they say. we nave not got the troops But they
had enough troops 70 ger up another army Gale
the ARMY o. Virginia. IN command OF which they
placed Gen Pope
They then directed Gen Mcclellan to move
bis army from where ne vas AMI bring them blck
TO Aceuiz Creek He had uDw ards OF - 900
SICK; he certainly could not remove them; be had
not the means ot transportation Thew Eere
complaining At Washington because he did not
hasten Gen Pope does al that nan can 10.
out before NcC.ellan's srmv can by any posi-
olity get 10 his assistance he Is attacked by tine
Confederate forces, defeated. and everything be.
CONES disOrganized Fhe whole army GET hack
to Washington where Mcclellan had arrived in
the meantime. to hnd tue army in a state OF PER
iect disorder and confusion. And now what do
the authorities at Washington do but deprive
him Of bis commsnd. And Vet they go 10 Gen
Nee elan and beg the assistance which his abil
ity render 10 get them out OF their precariou-
condition Applause They begged this man
whom military and political jealousy attempted
- destroy-they begged hip-thi- mar Of talent
and sbilit,. aud g-ler,iship. nov TIA, they we're
IN danger. how that they feared for their Own
safety aud TIE safety OF The capital 70 cave them