The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-10-28
A Patriotic Letter from the Army.

The following extracts are from letter
written by gallant officer in the army of the
Potomac, who was but little while since one
of McClellan's most ardent admirers. 1t is
dated SIN the entertainments, near Peters
burg, Sept. rs, 1864" The writer says:
"We read the paper in the army, and what
do we see? We see much that we are all
ashamed OF; we see there is a party in the
North crying for peace, on any terms, Such
men deserve the halter as much as does JEFF.
Davis. What right have they to utter such
sentiments, when the soldier asks and will ac-
cept OF none but an honorable peace, and with
it guarantees against a recurrence OF so dire
a calamity for all future time. Soldering is
no play or pleasant pastime. We endure pri-
vatlons OF all Kinds, fatigue, hunger. constant
and unremitting toll. Besides we are con-
stantly facing death aud we feel that we have
lost too many brave comrades, our sacrifices
nave been TOO great to consent to any other
terms, and that we have right to be heard.
You know me as one OF the warmest friends
and supporters of Mcclellan in the army. Be
not surprised; am SO no more. You doubt
less remember OF my saying, while at your
house, less than one month since, that, if Nc
Clellan was nominated should vote for him.
Since that time Mcclellan has been nominat-
ed, and duty to my country compels me now to
say cannot vote tor him but that shall vote
for Abraham Lincoln. We feel in the army
that the Chicago platform is an indignity to
to Union-loVing people, and disgraceful in
suit to the soldiers VINO are facing the foe. |
feel that my wounds wonld tester and open
airesh, to remind me of my perfidy, should l
consent to such platform, and to such dis.
grace. We have read that platform, and have
looked in vain for one word or hint against
the rebellion; not a word of censure is there
against this ioul wrong. Yet this extraordi-
nary paper denounces the war, Abraham Lin
coin anu his acts, as unconstitutional and un-
just. Are we to understand by this that the
rebellion is right and more constitutional than
the acts OF the Administration? We are con
vinced that the men who controlled that con-
venJion and who concocted that platform, are
apologizers for the rebellion, and are at heart
rebels.
Mcclellan may write as many and as patri-
otlc letters as he pleases; they cannot deceive
us or control our votes. We know hej is
Obliged to be governed by the men who put
him in nomination, Worse than all this he
is willing to run with George ii. Pendleton as
his Vice, who lit we read his speeches and
public acts arightl is an open secessionist, and
who spoke, worked and voted against raising
money to pay, feed, clothe and arm us, and
now he is trying to get the votes of the sol
Nt~AS
his pestiterous crew of traitors succeeded,
where would have been the bayonets that saw
ed the capital from being captured and sack
car And who could have prevented the hor-
rors ana carnage of war from having been en-
acteo on Northern soil, with the destruction
of our own homes9 sl9
am leo. 10 here ask how can a soldiervote
IoI McClehah Wnen hs consents to be run for
Office by apaity led by such men as the Woods.
Vallandigham, Cox, Voorhees, Seymour.
Brooks, George N. Sanders, and with George
81. Pendleton as his Lieutenant? As well
might we vote against paying and clothing
ourselves. We cannot and will not sunnorf
such ticket. Ia
To say the least of our fornner Commander
he is in bad company, and is being led by bad
men. His champions in every instance are
men who have voted, worked and spoken
against allowing soldiers to vote. We cannot
forget that humiliating letter of Mcclellan,
indorsing Woodward of Pennsylvania, whose
every official act has been against the soldier
since this war began. On the other hand, we
nna that those who support the Administra-
s S,oa are the consistent friends of the soldier,
f HuI are the class which we have learned to
look TO for support" sI3ssr