Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-12

ton of persons territorial organizations OF States,
or forcible abolition of slavery, should be con-
templaled Tor moment. In prosecuting the
war all private property and unarmed persons
should be strictly protected. subiect only To he
necessities Of military operations All private
property taken for military should be paid or
receipted for: pillage and waste should be treated
as high crimes all unnecessary trespass sterniy
prohibited and offensive demeanor by the militia
~ toward citizens promptly Tebuked. Military
arrests should not be tolerated except ia places
where active hostilities exist; and oaths not re-
qpred by enactments consttutiOnally made
should neither be demanded nor received.
Military governments should be confined 10
the preservation OF public order aud the proiec-
ton of political rights Military power should
not be allowed TO interfere with the relations OF
setvItude. either by supporting or imparing the
authority of the master. except Tor repressing
disorder, as. IN other cases. Slaves, cOntraband
under the act OF Congress. seeking military pro-
lection, should receive il. The right OF the Gov
eminent TO appropriate permanently TO ITS own
service claims To slave labor should be asserted.
and the right of the owner to compensation there
for should be recognized. This principal might
be expended upon grounds OF military necessity
and security TO all the slaves within particular
State, thus working manumsson in such State;
and in Missouri, perhaps in Western Virginia,
also ard possibly even in Maryland, the exped-
ency of such "A measure only question OF
time. Asystem oil policy thus constitutional and
conservative, and pervaded by the influences OF
Christianity and freedom, would receive tie sup
port of almost al truly loyal men. would deeply
impress the rebel rDasses and all foreign ma
tons. and il might be humbly hoped that II
would commend itself TO the favor OF the
Almighty. Unless the principles governing
the future 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 disiniegrate our present
armies. The policy of the Government must be
/ supported by concentrations Of military power.
| The national forces should not be dispersed in
expeditions, posts of occupation, and numerous
armies, but should be mainly collected into
masses and brought to bear upon the armies oil
/ the Confederate States Those armies thorough
| " defeated, the political structure which they
support would soon cease TO exist. In carving
out any system or policy which you may form
YOU will require Commander in Chief OF the
army one who possesses your confidence, under
stands your views, aud who is competent to
execute your .orders by directing the military
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 ~
such pos ton as you may assign me- and will dc
So As faithfully "a ever subordinate served supe-
rior. | be the brink of eternity. and a:
hope forgiveness from my Maker have writ
ten this letter with sincerity to YOU, and from love
for NV country
[Signell GEORGE B MCCLELLAN.