The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-01-30
nited States upon the people of every

I.S"Hr uPnh esuO PooPiO-o -oi o'Si
State. . .-4s-,
The time has come when the Government
must determine upon civil and military
policy covering the whole ground of our
national trouble. The responsibility oi
determining, declaring and supporting such
civil and military policy, and OF directing
the whole course OF national Affairs i'll re-
gard to the rebellion, must now be assumed
and exercised BY you or our cause will be
lost The Constitution gives you power
sufficient even for the present terrible ext
gspey. 80, - - d-rs ar Isl s
This rebellion has assumed the oharact
of war; as such it should be regarded, and 1t
should be conducted upon the highest prin-
ciples known to. Christian civilization. 1t
should not be a war looking to the subju:
gstion oflthe peppfssof any State in any
event 1t should not. be at all a war upon
population, but against armed forces and
political organization, Neither confscation
OF property, political executions of persons,
territorial organizations of States, or forci-
bic abolition of slavery should be contem-
plated for q moment. In prosecuting the
war all private property and unarmed per
SONS should be strictly protected, subject
only to the necessity of military operations
All private property taken for military use
should be paid or receipted for; pillage and
waste should be treated as high crimes; all
unnecessary trespass sternly prohibited, and
offensive demeanor by the military toward
citizens promptly rebuked. Military ar
rests should not be tolerated except in places
where active hostilities exist, and oaths not
required by epactments constitutionally
made, should be neither demanded nol re-
ceived. Military government should be
confined to the preservation OF public order
and the protection of political rights. Mil.
itary power should not be allowed to inter.
fere with the relations of servitude, either
by Importing or impairing the authority of
the master, except for repressing disorder,
as in other cases. Slaves contraband under
the act of Congress, seeking military pro.
lection, should receive it. The right of
the Government to appropriate permanent
ly to its own service claims Of slave labor
should be asserted, and the right of the
owner to compensation therefor should be
recognized. ----
This principle might be extended upon
grounds of military necessity and security
to all the slaves within particular State,
thus working manumission in such State;
and in Missouri, perhaps in Western Vir-
ginia also, and possibly even in Maryland,
the expsdiency of such measure is only a
question of time.
A system of policy thus constitutional and
conservative, and pervaded by the infu-
ences of Christianity and freedom, would
receive the support of almost all truly loyal
men, would deeply impress the rebel mas
ses and all foreign nations, and it might be
humbly hoped that it would commend it.
self to the favor of the Almighty.
Unless the principles governing the fu-
ture conduct of our struggle shall be made
known and approved, the effort to obtain
requisite forces will be almost hopeless
A declaration of radical views, especially
upon slavery, will, rapidly disintegrate our
present armies.
The policy of the government must be
supported by concentrations of the military
power. The national forces should not be
in expeditions, posts Of occupation
and numerous armies: but should be main
ly collected into masses and brought to
bear upon the armies of the Confederate
States. Those armies thoroughly defeated,
the political structure which they support
would soon cease to exist,
In carrying cut any system Of policy
which you may form, you will require
comm ander n-chief of the army-one who
possesses your confidence, understands your
views; and who is compe tent to execute
your orders by directing the artillery forces
of the nation to the accomplishment of the
objects by you proposed. / do not ask that
place for myself. am willing to serve you
in such position as you may assign me, and
will do so as faithfully as ever subordinate
served superior. -...I-
may be on the brink of eternity, and as
[ hope forgiveness from my Maker, have
written this letter with. sincerity toward
YOU and from love for my country.
Very respectfully, &c.
On the llth Gen. Mcclellan telegraphed:
"We are very strong here now SO far as
defense is concerned. Hope you will soon
make us strong enough to advance and try
it again. All in fine spirits"
From this date to the Both constant ap-
peals for sufficient force to assume the
offensive were made by General Mcclellan
to the President and to Gen Halcck. In
he night Of August ] an attempt of the
enemy, with artillery, upon the south bank
of the James was signally repulsed.
On the day previous Gen. Halleck tele.
sraphed report from Gen. Pope that the
enemy were evacuatng Richmond, and or
iered Gen Mcclellan to send away his sick,
10 order which was Interpreted by that
general to indicate preparations for his re
,uming the offensive.
On the 4th Gen. Hooker defeated the
enemy and occupied Malvern HILL and the
next day General Mcclellan elegraphed:-
My troops have advanced ~ miles in one !
direction and II miles in aonther toward |
The next day Gen Hallcck telegraphed: !
L have no reinforcements to send you.'-
He had three days before dispatched an or
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