The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-02-03
General McCltllan's Letter.

The following letter from Gen. Mcclellan
repor: ofthe former, directed 10 be publish
cd by resolution OF Congress. 1t was writ
ten seven days after The battles of the Pen
insula in the summer OF 1862, and contains
some excellent advice 10 Mr.. Lincoln,
which j; would have been well for the
country had il been acted ON bS the Admin.
islratiou
"HEADoUARTERs, Amy OF PoToMAc.
HARRsoS's LANDING, Va, July 7 1862
Ma. PREsIDENr: You have been fully in
formed that the rebel army is in our front
with the purpose of overwhelming us by at.
lacking our positions or reducing us by
blockading our river communications.
cannot but regard our condition as critical,
and earnestly desire, in view of possible
contingencies, TO lay before our ExcelIency
for your private consideration, my general
views concerning The existing state of the
rebellion, although they do not strictly re-
late TO the situation of the army or strictly
come within the scope OF my official duties
These views amount 10 convictions, and
are deeply impressed upon my mind and
heart.
Our cause must never be abandoned il
is the cause of free institutions and self gov
ernment. The Constitution and Union must
be preserved, whatever may be The cost in
time, treasure and blood. If secession is
successful, other cissolnions are clearly TO
be seen in the future. Let neither military
disaster, political faction, nor foreign war
shake your settled purpose 10 enforce the
equa operation OF the laws o! the United
States upon the people of every Stale.
''The time has come when the govern
ment must determine upon a civil and mill
tary policy covering the whole ground OF
our national trouble. The responsibility of
determining, declaring and supporting such
civil and military policy, and of directing
the whole course of naiiona affairs in re-
garc 10 the rebellion, must now be assum-
ed and exercised by you or our cause will
be lost. The Constitution gives you power
sufficient even for the present terrible ext.
gency.
''This rebellion has assumed the charac-
ier of war; as such it should be regarded
anG it should be conducted upon the high
est principles known TO Christian ciyiliza-
tion II should not be war looking TO the
snbjugalion of the people of any State in
any event. 1t should not be at all a war
upon population, but against armed forces
and political organization. Neither confis-
cation of property, political executions OF
persons, territorial organizations of States,
nor forcible abolition OF slavery should be
conlem plated for moment In prosecn-
ting the war all private properly and un-
armed persons should be strictly projected,
subject only TO the necessity of military op.
erotions. All private properly taken for
military use should De paid for; piIage and
waste should be treated as high crimes all
unnecessary resPass sterny prohibited,
and offensive demeanor by the military to-
ward citizens promptly rebnked. Military
arrests should not be tolerated except in
place where active hostililes exist, and
oaihs Tot required by enactments constitu-
tionally made should be neither demanded
nor received. Military government; should
be confined TO the preservation OF public
order and the protection of political rights.
Military power should not be allowed 10
interfere with the relations OF servitude, Ell
ther by supporting or impairing the aulhori.
ty of the master. except for repressiBg dis
order, as in other cases. Slaves contrsband
under the act Of Congress, seeking military
protsclion should receive it. The right Of