The Portland daily press., 1864-09-08
Gen. Mcclellan on the Power Of the Feder-
al Hovarnment,

Gen. Mcclellan on the Power Of the teder-
al Government.
Pending the election in Pennsylvania, last
fall, with a view to aid the Democratic side by
the publication of letter at too late day to
admit OF its being criticised In the public Journ-
ais before II should have accomplished its mis-
sion, Gen. Mcclellan wrote letter which was
sent all over the state by telegraph, and first
published on the morning of the election. The
following is copy
ORANGE, n. j., Oct. II.
To Hon. Chas. j. Biddle:
Dear Sir-My attention has been called to
an article in the Philadelphia Press asserting
tina. | had written to the managers of the
Democratic meeting at Allentown, disapprov-
ing the objects of the meeting, and that il /
voted and spoke it would be ia favor OF Gov.
Curtin. | am informed that similar assertions
have been made through the State.
1t has been my earnest endeavor heretofore
to avoid participation in party politics, and
had determined to adhere to this course; but
1t is obvious that cannot long maintain ST.
lence under such Misrepresentation l there
fore request you to deny that have written
such letter or entertained any such views as
those attributed TO me in the Philadelphia
that, having some few days ago had q full con-
versation with Judge Woodward, / find that
our views agree, and regard bis election as
Governor OF Pennsylvania called for by the
interests of the nation. l understand Judge
Woodward TO be in favor Of prosecution OF
the war with all the means at the command OF
the loyal States until the military power OF
rebellion is destroyed.
understand him to be of the opinion, that
while war is waged with all possible decision
and energy, the policy directing it should be
in consonance with principles of humanity and
civilization, working no injury to private rights
and property not demanded by military neces-
sity and recognized by military law among
civilized nations. And, finally, | understand
him to agree with me in the opinion that the
sole great objects of war are the restoration
of the union of the Nation, the preservation
of the Constitution, and the supremacy OF the
laws of the country. Believing that our opin.
ion entirely agree upon these points, would
were it in my power, give to Judge Woodward
my voice and my vote.
am, very respectfully. yours,
GEO. b. MCCLELLAN.
A careful examination OF the foregoing doc
ument, in connection with some facts to which
it refers, will reveal meaning that might es-
cape the notice Of a careless or even casua
reader. The qist of the letter is disoyalty
Its point is this: Judge Woodward Of Penn.
was the Democratic candidate for Governor o
that State at the election then pending, an'
which took place the very day the letter mad
its appearance in all the daily papers OF til
State, and only one day latsr than it bear
date. He Judge W. had already, as Judg
Of the Supreme Court, prepared an opinion i
which he maintained the unconsttutionaHt
of the CONSUMPTION law, holding, in effect, tina
the government in case of giant rebellio
which sought its life, HAD NO POWER t
RAISE BY CONFUSION TROOPS TO DEFES
1T, but was wholly dependent upon the State
thus, plainly recognizing the secession doS
| trine that ii was government really subsis
| ing at the pleasures of the States and not oil
erwise, and that when the several States, {
such, should decline to preserue it, it mui
fall. This disloyal decision made by Judg
Woodward and his copperhead associates hi
since been reversed. That the opinion Of til
| Court in which this decision was announce
WAS KNOWN to Gen. Mcclellan when he wro
the letter referred to, there is internal CIV
dence. This letter furnishes evidence not o.
ly that he was cognizant Of the opinion and !
doctrines. but that he approved of them. Th
is apparent from the following significant al
remarkable paragraph: understand Jude
Woodward to be In favor of the prosecution
the war with all the means at command" tn
of the government butt "of the loyal Stat
until the military power of that rebellion is d
stroyed;" aud from this, shat having SON
few days age had full conversation vii
Judge Woodward, / find that our rie,
--s--.-,, Arazr---,e suhmit that ii is not ops
to doubt that Gen. Mcclellan Intended TO Il
dorse and did distinctly and desigRedly 4
dorse the unconstitutional and disloyal do
trines of Judge Woodward, which if adoptt
as correct, would make the Union mere rol
of sand, dependent upon no inherent power
the government, but 'oholly upon the eonseE
/ of the States