Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-10-04
1ECClelIan's "HarrIsOn Land.
iDg'' Letter.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE
PoToMAC, July Z, 1862.
Scamp near Harrison's Landing Va,

"HEADoUARTERs Army OF THEl
PoToMAC, July 7, 1862.
Clamp near Harrison's Landing Va,
~MR. PRESIDENT: You have been fully
informed that the rebel army is in the front
with the purpose Of overwhelming US by
attacking our positions or reducing us by
blockacing our river communication /
cannot but regard our condition as critical
aDd earnestly desire, in view of possible
contingencies, to lay before your excellen-
cy, Tor your private consideration, my
general views concerning the existing state
of the rebellion, although they do not re-
late to the situation Of this army, or strict
u come within the scope Of my official du.
ties. These views amour. to conviction.
and are deeply impressed upon my mind
and heart. Our cause must never be a.
bapdoned; it is the cause of free institu-
tons end self.gUvernment. The Constitu.
ton aud the Union must be preserved,
whatever may be the cost in time, treasure
and blood. If secession is successful, oth-
o. dissolutions are clearly TO be seen ip the
future. Let neither military disaster, po-
litical factions, nor foreign war shake your
seitled purpose - enforce the equal opera
ton Of the laws Of the Uoited States upon
the people of every State.
The time has come when the govern.
ment must determine upon q civil and
military policy, covering the whole ground
o! our national trouble.
The responsibility Of detsraininH, de-
clariDg. and supporting such civil and
military policy and Of directing the whole
course of national affairs in regard to the
rebellion, must now be assumed and ex-
srcised by you, or our cause will be lost.
The Constitution gives you power, even
for the present terrible exigency.
This rebellion has assumed the charac
ter Of q war; as such it should be regard
ed, and it should be conducted upon the
highest p-lnciplee known to christian civ
ilstiOn. 1t should not be a war locking 10
the subjugation of the people of any State,
in any event. 1t should not at all be q
war upon population, but against armed
forces and political organizations. Meth
er con6scstion Of property, political execu-
tons of persons, territorial organization
of States, or fOrcihle abolition of slavery,
should be oOntemL lated for q moment.
in prosecuting the war, all private
property and unarmed persons should be
strictly protected, subject only to the ne
property taken for military use should be
paid or rsceipted for, pillsge and vast
should be treated az high crimes; all IN.
necessary trespass sternly prohi bited, and
ofens We demsanor by the military towards
citizens, promptly rs5uked. Military ar
rests should not be tolerated, except in
cases where active hostilities prevail; and
ostbs, not required by enactmsnts, consti.
tutionally made, should be neither de-
manded nor received.
military government should be con6n-
! ed to the preservation of public order and
the protection Of political right. Military
power should no. be allowed to interfere
with relations Of servitude, either by sup
porting or impsiring the authority Of the
master, except for repressiDg disorder, as
in other cases. Congress, seeking militia
| ry protection, should receive it. The right
OF the government to appropriate german
! emily to its own service claims to slave
labor should be Assertaiped, and the right
| of the owner to compensation therefore
/ should be recognized. This principle might
be extended. upon grounds of military ne
csssity anG security, to all the slaves Of Q
particular State, thus working nanumis.
sion in such States; and in Missouri, per.
haps in Western Virginia also, and passi'
bly, even in Maryland. the expedisncy o
such measure is only g question of time
A system of policy thus constitutional
and pervaded by the influences Of Chris.
tianity and freedom, would receive the sup
port Of almost all truly loyal men, would
deeply impress the rebel masses and al
foreign nations, and it might be humbl,
hoped that it would commend itself to th,
favor Of the Almighty.
UNLESS tho principles governing tn,
future conduct Of our struggle shall b.
made known and approved, the effort t.
obtain requisite forces will be almost hope
less. A declaration Of radical views, es
peeially upon slavery, will rapidly disiu
tegrate our present armies. The pJlicy O
the government must be supported by con
centratious Of military power. The ma
tiOnal forces should not be dispersed 10 ex
petitions, posts of occupation, and numsr
Gus armies, but should be mainly collected
into masses. and brought to bear upon tn
armies Of the Confederate States. Thus
armies thoroughly defeated, the politica
structure which they support wLuld sOoI
cease 10 exist.
"In carrying out soy system of polio,
which you may form, you will require
oommardsr.in chief Of the army, one VII
possesses your condolences. Understs Dds you
views, and who is competent to execut
your orders by directing the military fore
es of the nation to the accomplishment o
objects by you proposed. do not asl
that place for myself. am willing t
serve you 10 such position as you ma,
assign me, and will do 90 as faithfully q
ever subordinate served superior.
81 may be on the brink Of eternity; CD,
as hope forgiveness from my Maker,
have written this letter with sincerity to
wards you and from love for my country.
Very repeatedly. your obedieut serV'l
GEORGE B MCCLELLAN,
major Gen. Commanding.
"His ExcsllencY A. Lincoln, President"