East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-10-05
The Duty Of Patriotism---A Letter
from John Van Buren,.

In a letter addressed to the great
Mcclellan ratification meeting in AL
bany on Thursday night, Hon. John
Van Buren, says a timely word for the
benefit Of those citizens who hesitate
in regard to their duty to the govern
ment on the one hand and corrupt
and imbecile administration on the
other, as follows:
GENTLEMEN-It will not be in my
power to attend the meeting at Albany
on Wednesday, but / hope before the
oaI''rs;o- ."inses to have the privilege
OF addressing my old frieuds al the
capital. Without undertaken to die
tate to others, had marked out a
course which it seemed to me the part
Of patriotism to pursue. While war
was raging and no presidential can
vass was pending, / endeavored to give
the head of the government cordial
and unreserved support. 1 should
have preferred to continue SO doing
till the 4th of March, when the off.
cial term of our chief magistrate clo-
ses. But the president precludes this
course by stepping into the arena be-
fore any candidates. nominated against
him, and demanding through his Office
holders and friends reelection.
He does this against the protest Of q
respectable body of his former sup
porters who present for the offices OF
president and vice president, the for
mer republican candidate for president
and the present republican attorney
general Of this state.
The representatives Of the demo-
cratic party, with wise forbearance,
had deferred the nomination of candi-
dates until the 4th of July, some two
months later than the usual time, and
afterwards, in conjunction with con-
sentative men of other parties, had
again postponed the commencement of
the canvass until the end of August;
thus leaving barely time for the dele.
gates from distant states, like Califor-
MIA and Oregon, to attend the conven-
ton and return home to participate in
the election. Under such circumstan-
ces the name of Gen. Mcclellan,
tried and able soldier, cultivated and
accomplished gentleman and thor
ough patriot, has been presented in
opposition to his own wishes for the
chief magistracy. A contest thus chal-
Ienged by the president, and deferred
hll the latest moment by his oppo-
nents, is now before us, and it is i'm
portant at the outset to bear in mind
how it originated. Although short in
duration, it is likely to be severe be-
yond all previous example. The enor-
nous patronage of the government
will be used without reserve to per-
Detuate power in the hands that now
lold it. A trair ed band of office hold
'rsconstitute an effective political or
yonization. Executive constraint of
he press, the mail and the telegraph
outs the means Of communication to |
! vast extent in the power Of the pres
dent. Against this formidable COM
'ination an undisciplined mass of men
5 to contend. But / have no appre-
tension as to the result. Much asso-
iation with the American people and
lourly observation of their intelli-
,ence, courage and sagacity, inspire
ne with entire faith as to their action
ow.
They will, as heretofore, pour forth
heir blood and treasure without stint
D put down the rebellion. They will
old up the hands and strengthen the
carts Of those gallant soldiers, Grant,
herman, Meade, Hancock, Smith,
lair, Granger, Thomas, Rosecrans,
heridan, Fitzpatrick, Stoneman, Az
rill and their associates; and those
sailors. Farragut, Por-
'r, Winslow, Dupont, Worden, Dray-
IN and Others. They will thus, 1
'ust, overthrow the organized and
rmed resistance of the rebel states,
espite Of all the obstacles to success
lat have been or may be interposed
Washington. But the discharge of
lose sacred duties will not interfere
18th the careful and intelligent seIec-
on of a new chief magistrate who is
OF only competent to make war, but
} make peace.
Truly yours,
j. VAN buren,.
Willowbrocl San< 1OtJ, 1904