New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-19
THE WORKINGnEN TO GEN. We
(LELLAN.
Letter Of the New-York Worhingmcn's
Democratic Republican Association.

y.
Mo-. Gen. GToRCE Il. MCCLELLAN.
SIR: The distinguished position which yon
now hold in the presence OF The American people. rs
the nominee OF convention held in obedience g the
usages Of powerful party and looking forward 10 tic
possibility o. your election the executive representa-
tive OF gty nation Of ireemcn imIcls - 10 address
yOu a. we have already done 20 the President VI the
United States brief exposition Of al The views
which have induced the founders Of the WoIkingmcns
Democratic Republican AssOciat!ont0 organize Tor ci
fecr'e action Ia the great cause Of political industrial
a1d social reform.
There are moments in the lives ~ men which form tho
crisis of their character ami their fate. There are
hours and days in the life Of nations which form tie
crisis OF their destiny Decisions thus made may carr
them safely past their danger OF hasten them on 10
their ruin and tbdr overthrow. In the experience OF
individuals and u societies there no invisible lines.
which. once passed can never be recrosed and IT Is
sometimes question with ms whether or once pros
peT0ls and happy nation has not already passed tat
equatorial line Of It's moral history. which. unnoticcd
and urchseiHed by the navgaors. has served TO fepa
rate from the higher aud better parallels OF patriot
ism reason and exalted freedom. We trust that this
point OF our history has not already been passed but
that may yet hope for tho triumph of those lofty
principles Of po;lca! virtue which have 30 long been
our boast.
The glory Of our institutions has ever been that all
questions Of public policy could be- referred u the
people whose decision consitaiionaly expressed al tie
ballot box should be the ultimate verdict Of this grand
court OF appeal, until these questions could have re-
hearing and further decision OF The period named IN
the organic law. This glory has been dinmcd-this
practice under which the nation has advanced from
The condition Of few detached colonies to tie magnG.
cent and colossal grandeur o: thuYOur States span.
ming continent n its territorial greatness has been
sn1dealy and Violently interrupted The appeal has
been made from the ballot 5ox ana the forum the bui.
let and the battlefield.
This appeal 70 tie bloody arbitration OF war mas. be
met by the lovers Of free Institutions recmcn
Oniv II. 10 surrender the character honor
and glory Of .Ihcianco 10 the yiOleu. attempt
traitors. without cDit az resistance. would b.
less base and infamous tran the treason itself IL the
possible foundation vi n free Democratic Government
OF The people were deemed worthy o. the blood and
treasure o! our fatleIs far moro worthy VI sacri
nee is the pe,pctuiy OF these institutions. rendered
sarci by eighty years Of progress and oi pence.
The day swiftly approaches wher She millions Of tbc
i0Va states who remained time 10 the Constitution
shall e called 70 decide upon the fundamental ideas If
their fuiU-e policy On one hand large body oi the
declare in IaYor Of snch Prosecution II tie war
shall dest 10Y the military pos cr OF tho rebel radcrs
and viadicat. she cran4 idea q national NIFTY BY
forcing the Lays ana competing The Insurgents TO sub
init IN pace The aniud cation 0li questions N issue
before lie tribanal OF tie nations Judgment and its
constitutional exp oundefs.
ON tire other hand there j. arr,ved large body o.
men who demand tb "a tue government shall rccedc from
its llt 10 defend its,I fint il shah recall its forces
II or the held surrender the territory II has occupied
recall lis fleets from In, haTbOTs of reyOted cities and
having thus vacated all mat IL has gained under such
great dcutcs that IT 81 a proceed 10 Iegotnte with
the representative men Of the rebellion. as tie recos'