The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-07-13
Con. RrcCLesaan,s Eetler.

celebrated the 4th Of July with more than
their usual spirit. An eloquent Grafton was
delivered by Gen. Runyon, of New Jersey,
and letters were read from several of the
ablest and most prominent Democrats In
the country. The following letter from
Gen Mcclellan is SO admirably written, and
so replete with wise and statesmanlike coun
sci, that we lay it before our readers in its
entirety. IL was evidently written with
great care, and coming FROM SO ar-headed
weight and consideration. 1t contains ma
terial enough out Of which the Democratic
National Convention could construct wise
and acceptable platform Of principles upon
which to conduct the next Presidential cam
paign. Here is the letter in full:
DEAR SIR: l have the honor to ack nowl-
edge the receipt of the invitation to meet
with the Tammany Society upon the occa-
sion Of the celebration of the approaching
Independence Day.
| regret that circumstances will not permit
me to be in the city then.
At q time like the present it is right to
express once more my deep and abiding in
terest in the great principles advocated by
the Democratic party ; and, remembering
the former relations between the party and
myself, perhaps it will not seem ollicious if,
in accordance with your request. proffer
few words to those who honored me so high
~ in a season of difficulty.
Although l have retired FROM public life
it has been impossible TO avoid forming opin
ions upon public affairs, and what l have to
say must be regarded simply as the Seuti-
ments of private citizen.
The Presidential campaign, so soon to be
opened, is destined TO be one of the most
important of all that have been conducted.
| trust that every Democrat will recognize
the magnitude Of the issues at stake-no less,
it would seem, than the very existence of
the free institutions our fathers gave US, the
true foundations of peace, happiness ana
prosperity-to bequeath which to eur chill
dren we should be ready to make any hon
orabe sacrifice.
I trust that when the moment for action
arrives there will he found none in the Dem>
ocratic ranks who will for a moment hesitate
to sacrifice personal advantage or private
feeling for the public good for our object
should be not mere party triumph, but the
with whom personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT and
party ends outweigh all reverence for the
vital spirit of our institutions and desire for
the real good Of the entire nation.
/ lust that our leaders lciU clearly see
ichich Of tie issueS that hare so Tong Ggitdted
tie country are irreUocably lSetHe.i. and thai
zee shall no! be called upon TO contend for a
corpse.
Let as zeaue behind us the dead issues of
the past, and look only to the present and the
future.
!SIaUery is dead-dcad let it remain for
eUcr, and let no one disturb its grace
The negro has tie right to rote-let him
keep IL .; 6m stIiUe to educate Him to fitness
for the high priciiege conferred upon him
Shot0 him ach0 his real friends are, and aCe
acW erentually turn IN our .taror the ,ccapoR
so carefully forged. for our destruction.
Let Us hope that the enunciation of the
financial principles of the party will be 50
clear that no one can cast the shadow of a
doubt upon our intentions as to fulfilling in
the broadest sense all the obligations Of the
nation rather than indulge in abstract dis
cussions as to the meaning of this or that
obligation, let us adUOcGte, and 'Clien in 2o'oer
pursue, such policy as 1oiH MAKE the paper
dollar as good as the gold dollar. so that The
question 1oW practically settle itself.
To secure this result it must be clearly
understood throughout the world that every
dollar Of the principal and interest of the
national debt will be fully paid when due;
the expenditures of the general government
must be coufined to the sums requisite to
meet the interest upon the debt, and the ex-
penses necessary to maintain the efficiency
and dignity of the government; the sums
81
internal taxation should be limited to the pu,--
prcmatuTe'y the principal Of The debt at the
expense Of the general prosperity Of the ma
tiOn should be Abandoned.
We have borne the burden of the recent
war, and should be called upon to do no
more than meet the full interest upon the
debt another generation. more ,cealthy and
numerous than this, can readily take care Of
the priHcipaL
The issues Of the present and the future
are distinct enough. and afford US the most
ample AMI best battlefield for ths approach>
ing contest.
Universal amnesty and suffrage; the pres
ervaton of the rights of the States as guar
anteed by the letter and true spirit Of the
Constitution. once held 80 sacred the pres
ervation of individual liberty the iuviola>
bility of the right OF the habeas corpus; the
maintenance of the purity and of the relative
powers of the three great branches Of the
general government; strict economy in the
of the government the relief
of the business interests of the country from
the ruinous pressure of all unequal. ill>ar-
ranged. 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 pub
lshed to the world ninety-fve years ago
may throughout nll time guide the actions
and command the reverence Of the American
people, and apologizing for having tres
passed so long on your time and patience,
l am, with great respect, truly yours.
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN.
The following statement of the popula>
ton of New York city, compiled from the
late will found II