East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-11-02
Gen. MoClernand for MoClellan--A Noble
Letter.


SPRINeFIELD, Ill, Oct, 4.
Gentlemen-Your communication,
dated the Goth of September, inviting
me to address the public in speech
on the state of the country and the
impending Presidential election is re-
ceived.
In answer, hovo 10 say that have
received numerous COMMUNICATIONS Of
like character, as well as many private
letters, soliciting my views on the
same subject, but from sense of the
proprieties of my position as a militia
ry officer, have hitherto forborne to
respond to any Of them, and would
continue to do so to all such requests
but for the disrcspcct it would imply
for their authors, and the contradicto-
ry statements that have been put forth
by opposing partisan newspapers, as
to my choice for President. 1t is, l
repeat, only under these circumstan-
ces that undertake now, and in this
instance, to depart from the rule 1
had prescribed for myself, and VEN
ture to offer you and all concerned
the following hearty but sincere dec
laration. AS to the condition of the
country, it is obvious civil war is on
us tearing the vitals Of the nation,
reddening the land with our best
blood, consuming the substance of the
people, and entailing on us and our
posterity an onorous public debt, and
imperatively requires Of us to put
forth unitedly and determinedly, our
utmost efforts to bring it to speedy
close, by crushing the rebellion.
Every man who fails in this fails in
imperious duty.
AS to my choice Cor President, lam
for Geo. b. Mcclellan; indeed could 1
be otherwise? he is n lifelong demo-
crat; so am i. He is war democrat
and would continue the use of force as
long as necessary, to put down there
bellion; SO would i. Like jackson,
he would preserve the Union at all
hazards, even if blood should flow,
treasure BIO expended, and slavery
swept away; SO would 1. Like Jack
son, he is in favor Of plain govern
ment void Of pomp, protecting all, and
granting favors to none; 80 am L..
Like Jefferson and Douglas, too, he
believes in the sovereignty of tho peo-
pie, and answering himself to their
authority, he would have all public
functionaries as the servants of the
people do the same; so would l.
Thus agreeing in principles, in policy
and in party associations, for me to
oppose him, would, in my judgement,
be both inconsistent and inexcusable.
His distinguished rival will hardly ex-
pect it. This brief declaration seems
to be incapable of being misapprehen-
dod or misrepresented, yet in order to
avoid such result, will add in neg
alive terms, that 1 am opposed to any
policy that would compromise the un-
ity or dignity Of tho country for tho
sake Of peace. With the olive branch
in one hand and the sword in the 9TH
er, let us continue to smite rebell-
ion hip and thigh until it sue
cumbs to- the Constitution and the flaws;
hence l absolutely and unqualifedly
dissent from oil who would court
peace on the basis of disunion, regard
less of their party names and profess
ions. These men, from an antago-
nism of sentiment on this vital point,
opposed the nomination of General
Mcclellan, and fiom antagonism of
sentiment on the same poiut / OPP
pose them. We are rs wide apart
as the poles. His nomination / am
happy to believe, will put an end to
their influouce and in other respects
open new and inspiring future to
the democratic party. Under his lea
dership, doubt not that party will
again become itself. Emancipated
from the shackles Of timid and nm
philosophical conservation, it will