The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-30
Letter Of Hon. john Van Huren
to the Albany Mcclellan Meet


GENTLEMEN: 1t. will not be in nv power to
attend the meeting at Albany on Wednesday,
but hope before the campaign closes to have
the privilege Of addressing my old friends at
the capital Without undertaking to dictate
to Others, had marked out q course which it
seemed to me the part Of patriotism to pursue.
While war was raging and no Presidential can.
vass was pending, I endeavored to give to the
head of the government q cordial and unre-
served support. should have preferred to
continue SO doing till the 4th of March, when
the official term of our Chief Magistrate closes.
But the President precludes this course by
stepping into the arena before any candidate Is
nominated against him, and demanding through
his Office holders and friends reelection. He
does this against the protest of q respectable
body of his former supporters. who present
for the Office of President and Vice President
the former Republican candidate for President
and the present Republican Attorney General
of this Slate.
The representatives of the Democratic party.
with wise forbearance, had deferred the nolni-
nation of candidates until the 4th of July, some
two months later than the usual time, and af-
forwards by conjunction with conservative
men of other parties, had again postponed the
commencement of the canvass until the end of
August, thus barely leaving time for the dele -
gates from distant States, like California and
Oregon. to attend the Convention and return
home to participate in the election. Under
such circumstances the name of Gen. McClel-
Ian, a tried and able soldier, a cultivated and
accomplished gentleman and a thorough pat
riot has been presented, in opposition to his
own wishes, for the chief magistracy. con-
test thus challenged by the President, and de,
ferred till the latest moment by his opponents
is now before as and it is important st the out
set to bear in mind how it originated. Al
though short in duration, it is likely to be Sc.
we're beyond previous example. The enormous
patronage of the government will be used with
out reserve to perpetuate power in the hands
that now hold it. A trained band of office
holders constitute an effective political organ
izati0n. Executive constraint of the PRESS the
mail and the telegraph, put the means of COM
munication to a vast extent In the power of the
President. Against this formidable combination,
an undiscipli1ed mass of men is to contend. But
have no apprehensions as to the result. Much
association with the American people and hour
~ observation of their intelligence. courage
and sagacity, inspire me with entire faith as
their action now.
They will, as heretofore. pour forth their
blood and treasure without stint, TO put down
the rebellion. They will hold up the hands and
strengthen the hearts of those gallant soldiers,
Grant. Sherman, Meade, Hancock, Smith,
Blair, Granger, Thomas. Ro6ecrans, Sheridan,
Fitzpatrick. Stoneman iAverill and their ass0-
ciates; and those enterprisipg sailors, Farragut,
Porter, Window, Dupont. Worden, Drayto1
and others. They will thus, trust, overthrow
the armed resistance of the Rebel States, del.