The weekly union record., 1864-08-20

We have slready vast army in the field
over half million Of meu-weil supplied with
arms and equipments, provisions. transportation,
and all the materials Of war. These have to
be parcbased On tie credit Of the government.
The credit OF the government Is its very life
blood, and everything which tends to impair
that credit, is destructive Of the government
itself. The government cannot work without
means. The army too has to be paid.
To raise the means necessary to do all these
things, mast require the most gigantic exertion.
Have men the right to make every possible
opposition 10 tie government, magnify its
faults. distroy It's credit discourage eniiStments,
and do every act in their powe. to clog the
machinery with which it Is carried on, and
then complain because the government does
not accomplish more? Give the goy.rnmeni
the means and it will DO more.
Another element of opposition may be found
among few politicians who he'd convention
at Cleveland. They are in favor of the right
Of Asylum, and the one term presidency. Our
platform has taken the wind out OF their sails
on the Asylum question. No one is as,onished
that such men are in favor of one presidential
term. The reason is obvious they happen to
want just at this time the Offices themselves.
But seriously can we afford to place The reius
Of power, in this moment Of cur greatest peril,
10 the hands Of new. uDtrled ani ambitions
man? Ambition is the boon Of freedom. The
ambition of men bas 10 all ages deluged the
world in blood. Ambition was the cause and
slavery the instrument used by wicked men to
bring about this war. In my Judgment the
oHly safety TO the nation consists in the re elec-
ton of the present honest, tried and faithful
executive. The moral effect will be worth
many battles. 1t will be new pledge of our
unalierable resolve that this rebellion shall be
put down aud peace aud good government
restored The joyous tidings will go forth and
gladden. the hearts of all men who appreciate
free government.
One word fellow citizens, in reference to the
President, and then l will pass to the Army
of the Potomac. While at the Capitol, had
the pleasure Of several interviews with the
President. l found him to oe a man possessed
of that great and most precious of all patural
! gifts plain common sense Still he was not
exactly the man had expected TO see. had
been told that be was continually inclined to
jest, and that be did not appear 10 appreciate
the magnitude of our national troubles. SUI
fee it 10 say that much injustice has been done
Mr. Lincoln 10 reference to his personal traits
! What are called jokes should in most Instances
be styled apt Illustrations He is calm. refec
tive quite fluent in speech, aud evidently feels
the weight of the responsibility resting upon
him. Tie more saw of him The better was
/ pleased, and the more be looked like Presi-
dent. also saw all the members of the Cab
met, but it would be too tedious TO attempt
any description at this time. Some OF them
are men of eminent ability, and their names
will figure largely in the ponderous volumes
that are to record the events Of this great re-
bellion.
Anxious TO see as many Of the leading men
of the nation as possible, and the Army on
which all hopes seemed to be concentrated to
whose hands the very destiny and hope Of the
country was committed. | started on the
11th of June for the Army of the Potomac.
Embarking in the Government Mail Steamer
at Washington, We descended the Potomac TO
Chesapeake Boy thence to the mouth Of, aud
up York River TO the PamuDky ; aud up the
Pamuuky to the White House, which was at
that time the base of supplies for the army.
Fifteen miles over dusty and uneven road
perfectly lined with transportation wagons and
troops, took me TO Lieut. Gen. Grants head
quarters, near Cold Harbor which is about
nine miles from Richmond
Our army was then confronting the rebel
Notifications for distance Of over fifteen miles
You well remember fellow citizens, the terrible
conflicts of the Army Of the Potomac, from
the time it left It's position north Of the Rapi-
dan, early 10 May, till it arrived at the fortif-
cations Of Richmond, repulsing tie rebel hosts
in three desperate engagements to be known
in history as the battles of the Wilderness, and
earning for itself the urfading laures of victory
at Spootsylvania.
1t was just after these terrible battles ard
long and fatiguing march that l saw the Lieu.
General ard his iuvncible army faciug the
almost impregnable intrenchments in the yicin-
ity Of Richmond.
Gen Grant is man Of medium or a little
less than medium stature, possessing regular
bat by no means imposing features, whiskers
inclined to be sandy. blue eyes, hair light
brown, and arlless and modest in his deport-
ment. Nothing Of pretension or ostentation
about him. was informed by members Of
bis staff. who all seemed ardenily attached to
him, tina; be would not tolerate anybody about
him who put on airs. Everything went to
show that he is plain, practical man. Oae