The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-07-13
Letter from Gen. Mcclellan.
NEM YORK, July /, ISL.

VI. L
DEAR SIR: l have the honor to &C know-
edge the receipt of the invitation to meet W it'll
the Iammany Society upon the occasion of the
celebration of the approaching Independence
Day.
! regret that circumstances will not permit
me to be in the city then.
At a time like the present it is right to eX-
press once more my deep and abiding interest
in the great principles advocated by the Demo-
cratic party; and remembering the former re-
lations between the party and myself, perha ps
it will not seem otlcious if, in accordance with
your request, protfer few words to tho sc
who honored me 50 highly in Il season of di fiji
Guilty.
Although have retired from public life, it
has been impossible to avoid forming opinions
upon public affairs, and what | have to say
must be regarded simply as the sentiments of Il
private citizen.
The Presidential campaign, so soon to be
opened, is destined to be one of the most inn
portant Of all that have been conducted.
| trust that every Democrat will recognize
the magnitude of the issues at stake-no less il
would seem, than the very existence of the free
institutions our fathers gave Us. the true foun-
dations of peace, happiness and prosperitv-to
bequeath which TO our children we should be
ready TO make any honorable sacrifice
| trust that when the moment for action ar
riyes there will be found none in the Democrat
iC ranks who will for a moment hesitate to sac
rihce personal advantage or private feeling for
the public good; for our object should be not
mere party triumph, but the rescue of the
country from the hands OF those with whom
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and party ends out
weigh all reverence for the vital spirit of our
institutions and desire for the real good of the
entire nation
trust that our leaders will clearly see which
OF the issues that have so long agitated the
country are irrcyocably settled, and that we
snail not be called upon to contend with
corpse.
Let lis leave behind Us the dead issues of the
past, and look only to the present and the
future.
Slavery is ,lead-dcatl, let it remain forever,
and let no one disturb its grave.
The negro has the right TO vote-lct him keep
it; but strive to educate him to fitness for the
high privilege conferred upon him. Show him
who his real friends are, and we shall eventu-
ally turn IN our own favor the weapon so care
fully forged for our destruction.
Let us hope that the enumeration of the 1inan-
cial principles OF the party Will be clear that
no one can cast the shadow OF doubt upon our
intentions rs to fulfilling in The broa,lest sense
all the obligations Of the nation; rather than TO
indulge in abstract discussions is to tho meaning
Of this or that obligation, let us advocate, am.
when in power pursue such policy as Will
make the paper dollar rs good as the gold dol
lar, so that the question will properly settle if
self.
10 secure this result it must be clearly I'M
'lorStood throughout the world that every dol
lar Of the principal and interest of the national
debt will be fully paid when due; the eXpcnd-
lures of the general government must be con-
fined TO the sums requisite to meet the interest
upon the debt, and the expenses necessary to
MAINTAIN the efficiency and dignity of the GOV
eminent; the sums drawn from this generation
hy the tariff and internal taxation, should be
limited to the purposes lust mentioned. and the
effort TO reduce prcmaturely the principal of the
debt at the expense of the general prosperity of
the nation should be abandoned.
We have borne the burden of the recent war.
and should he called upon to do no more than
meet the full interest upon the debt another
generation, more wealthy and numerous than
this. can readily take care of the principal
The issues Of the present and the future are
distinct enough, and afford the most ample and
best battlefield for the approaching contest.
Universal amnesty and suffrage; the preScr-
walton Of the rights of the States rs guaranteed
by the letter and trnc spirit of the Constitution,
once held SO sacred; the preservation of ndi-
yidual liberty; the invioabity of the right of
the habeas corpus; the maintenance Of the
purity and the relative powers Of the three
great branches Of the general government;
strict economy in the administration of the
government; the relief of the business interests
Of the country from the rlinols pressure of I'LL
unequal. il-arranged and unnecessary burdens:
these constitute some of the main issues upon
which we may confidently hope To rest our
chances Of success.
With the hope that the principles published
to the world nincty-iive years ago may through
out all time guide the actions and command the
reverence OF the American people, and apollo
giving for having trcSpas~cd % long on Your
time and patience, | am, with great respect.
very truly yours. GEORGE Il. MCCLELLAN.
TIE RAILROAD I'M Notion. The SUI
prcmo Court has refused to dissolve the
Injunction by which lhc Portland, Saco
and Portsmouth Railroad has been COM