The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-02-05
GEN. M'CLELLAE,S LETTER.

| The following letter from Gen. Mcclellan to
President Lincoln, is found in the official report
os tho former, directed to be published by reso-
luton of Congress. Ityas written se7en days !.
after the battles of the Peninsula in the summer !
Of 862, and contains some excellent advice to-
| Mr. Lincoln, which would have been well for
the country had it been acted on by the Admin
istration:
"HEApouARrERs, ARMY or PoroMAc
| 'sHARRIsoss LANDING, VA, July s, '62.
| 'sAiR. PRESIDENT: You have been fully in
forred that the rebel army is in our front with
the purpose of Overwhelming US by attacking
our positions or reducing Us by blockading our
river communications. cannot but regard our I.
condition as critical, and earnestly desire, in
view Of possible contingencies, to. lay before
your Exceliency for JOUR private confederation,
my general views concerning the existing, state :
of the rebellion, although they do not strictly
relate to the situation OF the army or strictly
come within the scope of my oflical du.ies.---s
These yeiws amount to convictions, aud are
deeply impressed upon my mind and heart
sour caasssmlst never be abandoned--it is
the cause Of free ihstutionsa selfgovernulcnt.
The Constitution and Union masi be preselted,
whatever may be the cosssin time, treasure and !
blood. If secession is successful; oiher dissolu-
tions are clearly to be seen in tho sfnture Let
neither military disaster, political faction, nor
foreign war shake your settled purpose to enforce
the equal! operation Of tile laws Of the United
States upon the people of every State aii'em 81
'snhe time has come when the goyernment
must determine upon civil and military policy +,
covering the whole ground of our national troub-
lie. The responsibility Of Determining, declaring
and supporting such civil and military policy, y
and Of directing the whole conrss of national
assumed and exercised by you or our cause will
be lost The Constitution gives you power suf-
ficient even for the present terrible exrsency.
"This rebellion has assumed the character Of
war; as such it should be regarded, and it
should be conducted upon the highest principles
known TO Christian civilization. It should not a
be war looking to the subjnsation of the peor
pie of any State III any event 1t should not
be at all war upon population, but against
armed forces and political organization. Meth
er confiscation Of property, political executions
of persons, territorial organizations of States, w
nor forcibe abolition of slavery should be con-
| templsted for moment. In prosecuting the
war all private property and unarmed persons
should be strictly protected, subject only to thed
necessity Of military, operations. AL private
property taken for military use shoald be- paid
or reccipted for; pillage and waste should be
treated as high crimes; all unnecessary tIespass
stcrnly prohibited, and offensive deneanor by
the military toward citizens promptly rebuked.O
Military arrests should not be tolerated except
| in places where active hostilities exist, and
oaths not required by enactjnents constitutions
ally made should be neither demanded nor re-
ceived. Military government should be coniin-sd
ed to the preservation of public order and thela
protection of political rights. Military power
should not be allowed to tertereswith the rela-r
tions of servitudc, either by supporting or im-
pairing the authority of the master, except for
| repressing disorder, as in other cases. Slaves
conlriband, under the act Of Congress, seeking
military protection should receive it. The right
of the government to appropriate permanently,
to it's own service claims Of slave labor should
be asserted, and the right of the owner to COM
pensalion therefor should be recognized. Tho
+! principle might be extended upon grounds fofi
military necessity and security to all the slaves
within Il particular State, this working man-
omission in such State; and in Missouri, per-
haps in Western Virginia also and possibly e.
ven in Maryland, the expediency Of such o meas
ure is only question Of time. E .sauq
GA system of policy thus constitutional and,
conservative, and pervaded BY the influences OF,
4 Christianity and freedom, would receive tho
support Of almost all truly loyal mch, would
deeply impress the feDel iiias5cs ana ai iolesHH
nations, and it might be humbly hoped that it,
would commend itself to the favor OF, the Ar
mighty rags ak
'sUnless the principles governing the future
conduct of our struggle sholl bo made known.
and approved, the effort to obtain requisite for
ces will be almost hopeless. A declaration of
radical vicws, especially upon slavery will rap
| idly disintegrate our present armies $50 ~
! "Ihe policy Of the government must be sup
ported ty concentration Of military power. The,
national forces should not be dispersed in expe-
ditions, posts Of occupation and numerous arm
les, but should be mainly collected into rasses
| and brought to bear upon The armies of tho
/ Confederate States. Those armies thoroughly
defeated, the political structure which they sup
/ port would coon cease to exist.
"In carrying out amy system of policy which,
you may form you will require commander
in-chief Of the army, one who possesses your
confidence, understands your views, and scom-s
petent to execute your orders by directing thet
military forces of tho nation to the accomplish,
ment Of the objects by you proposed. l do not not,
ask that place for myself. | am wiling TO serve
| you in such position as you may assign rnes
and will do so as faithfully as severisubordinate
served superior. - as.ii sss, dlnx
81. may be on tho brink Of eternity, and 'as !
hope forgiveness from my Maker, have WIT.
ten this letter with sincerity toward you and
! from love for my country. Aa =
------ - =ssf 81