Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-03
GeCIeuan and the Chicago Platform.


Mcclellan and the Chicago Platform
The Democratic Platform does not like
the arbitrary arrest of traitors. McClel-
Ian favored it and how is it that Copper.
heads like McClellan2
In proof of it, is the following to Gen.
eral Banks authorizing the arrest of the
Maryland Legislature;
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PoToMAo I
Washington September II, 1861.
Major General NJ p Banks, United State'
Army:
GENERAL: After full consultation with
the President, Secretaries of State, War
etc, it has been decided to effect the opera
ton proposed for the 18th. Arrangements
have been made to have a Government
steamer at Annapolis to receive the prison
ers and carry them to their destination.
Some four or five of the chief men in the
affair are to be arrested to-day. When
they meet on the 18th you will please have
everything prepared to arrest the whole
party, and be sure that none escape.
Misunderstood that you arrange with
| General Dix and Governor Seward the
nuodlls operandi. 1t has been intimated &
me that the meeting might take place on
the l4th; please be prepared. 1 would be
glad to have you advise me frequently OF
| your arrangements in regard to this very
| important matter.
If it is successfully carried out, it will
go far towards breaking the backbone Of
the rebellion. It will probably be well tc
have special train quietly prepared tC
take tie prisoners to Annapolis.
1 leave this exceedingly important affair
to your tact and discretion-the absolute
necessity of secresy and success. With the
highest regard, am, my dear General
your sincere friend.
GEoReE B. MCCLELLAN,
Major General, .. S. A.
The Platform does not like emancipation
Mcclellan, in 1862, differed with the
Copperheads, for he wrote:
"Slaves, contrabRnd under the act o
Congress seeking military protection shOuIc
receive It. The right of government to sp
propriate permanently to its own service
claims to slave labor, should be asserted, anC
the right of the owner to compensation
therefor should be recognized. The pria
cipLe might be eztended upon grounds o.
military necessity and security, TO'ALL TIL
SLAVES WITHIN A PARTICULAR STATE
THUS WORKING MANUMIssIoE in sucl
State; and in Missouri, perhaps in West
can Virginia also, and possible even il
Maryland, the expediency of such a meas
ure is only question of ftime."
The Platform does not like giving tn
President power to direct the whole cOurs,
of national affairs in regard to the rebel
lion, including slavery of course. But Nc
Clellan seems to differ from them, for h,
says:
a7Rs time has come lole,i tie Gooer7rn,er
mast determine upon eiUiE and DliLitaTJ
policy couering the l0hoLe ground of our ma
tioqdl trouble, The responsibility r. of de
termining, declaring and supporting sucl
civil and military policy, and Of directing
| the 4ohoLe coarse of national affairs in re
gard to the rebellion, must nO10 be assumed
and exercised By you, or our cause will b.
lost. The Constitution gives you poa0eT sufi
cient even for the present terrible exi
gency. -
Imagine Yallandigham and ILong, and
all the peace sneaks and State Rights mer
in Ohio, throwing up their hats and hur
rahing for Little Mac"
Copperhesds in Maryland complain o.
the violation of the right to vote. McClel-
Ian is guilty, says Harris, of Maryland, in
the following:
Harris then read a second letter of Nc
Clellan, in which he orders certain military
officers to arrest and hold disloyal citizens
until after the election, and to suspend the
writ of habeds corpus in their cases. "What
was this for?" demanded Harris. at was
to interfere with elections in Maryland
The very thing you charge against Lin
coin in one of your resolutions. "You will
have to meet these questions on the stump,
and it is well you consider them new
What have you to say in his defense? You
say he did these things by order of the
President. 1 reply, he could have said,
"There is no commission, take it I will
not do the dirty work of tyrant." Good,
good, and cheers.
The Platform believes in State Rights
according to the Southern notion of them.
Little Mac seems to be guilty also.
Mr.. Harris proceeded to say that McClel-
Ian was the assassin of State Rights, the
usurper of liberties, and that if nominated
he would be defeated as he was at Antie-
tam. He added that he could not go home
and ask the members of that Legislature
TO vote for a man he would not vote for
here. (Hisses.)
Little Mac seems to be guilty Of all the
charges made against Mr.. Lincoln.
Mr.. Harris read McClellan's order of
arrest of the Maryland Legislature, and
proceeded to comment on the same, but
the confusion was so great that the speaker
could not be heard, except to say that the
charges Of usHrpstion and tyranny that
can be brought against Lincoln and Butler,
he can make and substantiate against Nc
Clellan. (Hisses and cheers, with voice,
" vote for JEFF. Davis
Willthe Plain Dealer please to enlighten
us on the above opinions of Mcclellan
Is he, too, atyrant," "an assassin Of State
rights "a military humbug" an abo-
litionist and Yiolator of, the Constitution
The Plain d ealer will please explain the
above views of LittLe Mac"
Mcclellan on the Draft.
We print below the following letter from