Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-09-07
Interesting Letter from Gen. Mcclellan on
the Political Situation.

L quite concur WITH YOU.
Deeply impressed b. the gravity ci
the issues involved in HE approaching
Presidential election, believing that tn,
honor of the country and the veil be-
ing Of the people depend in nosmall
degree upon the result, | feel compelled
to depart from the reserve that has be
come habi,ual to me-, and express the
earnest convictions that press upol
me.
Under a constitutional government
the formation Of political parties is ;
necessary consequence of the diversit,
of human minds and interests, Sent
nen,alists in their closets may dream
of an ideal Republic, all of whose citi,
zrns are perfectly wise, vitu ,ns and
consequently, unanimous but such
dream can never be realized on this
earth, and we must recognize the fact
that pol teal parties are not only neces-
sary, bat beneficial, acting as they d.
as checks upon each other. Experience
has shown, in all constitutional coun
tries, that when any party possesses un
interrupted power for very long time,
especially when the minority is too
weak to interpose any efficient check
upon the actions Of the majority, the
tendency is that the leaders become
careless and reckless. forget that there
is any power to which they are respon-
sible, look upon Office az a personal
possession and reward, rather than a
public trust, and learn to regard their
tenure as permanent. So, too, the leg
islative bodies become inclined to a
system of extravaganza, which engen
ders corruption, facilitates the torma-
ton Of rings, and finally destroys the
prosperity Of the people.
The only sure remedy in such case,
is that the people shall, through the
ballot box, place the former opposition
in power.
That our country is now in the con-
dition just described is proved by the
universal and pcremptory demand fol
complete reform by the people, without
regard to party.
Among Democrats there is no doubt
as to the manner in which the change
should be accomplished
With many Republicans the question
is whether they can trust the protes>
sions Of their party, or whether they
must take the disagreeable step Of
breaking away from old political asso.
Citations, by leaving the party under
whose administration all the evils OF
which they complain have grown mp,
ard act with the Democrats, who from
The force OF circumstances, must neces-
sarily be reformers.
| have the highest respect for the
personal character and intelligence OF
the Republican candidate for the Presi-
dency, and believe him to be al upright
gentleman but it seems to me quite
impossible that he can change the or
ganzation and policy of his party.
The leaders who control and shape
its policy would be the same after his
election as now, and it is idle 10 hope
for any change in them, or under tire NJ
1t is now abundantly evident that
had not Democratic House been cleo
ted in 1874, it would Lave been i'm
possible to unearth the varions instan>
ces of mal-administralion that have
have come to light, and it is equally
clear that until the Government passes
into the hands of the Democrats, we
shall never know the whole truth,
whatever it may be; and we need to
know the truth as to the past, that il
may serve to guide us in the future.
Believing, as l firmly do, that every
consideration of honesty and sound
craftsmanship, every true national and
individual interest, demands the promp,
inauguration of policy which shall, in
the brietest practicable time, reduce
every governmental expenditure to the
lowest point commensurate with honor
and efficiency regarding the reform Of
the civil service in its broadcast sense,
and with it the enforcement upon office
holders of the conviction that their only
business is TO perform their public du'
ties, and not 10 manipulate party
politics, az an inherent part OF this re
form satisfied that it must be accom-
panied by financial measures steadily
directed towards the resumption oil
specie payments within the shortest
possible period. l cannot for a moment
doubt that these all.important ends will
be best, and in fact only. attained by
the election of the candidate of the
Democratic party.
But questions Of finance and reform
are not the only ones which affect oul
present and future.
The recent war settled forever GER
tain vexed questions; for example, the
asserted right of secession has disap
peared in sea of blood; slavery has
been abolished, never to rcappear; to
the negro has been given the rights Of
citizenship and suffrage. We have
nothing more to do with these results,
save to accept them frankly, and watch
that they remain intact. After many
trials and fluctuations; the States not
long sin e arrayed in arms against the
general government, have re establish
ed their relations with the Union, and
regained their autonomy.
Genera is courtesy towards a fallen,
but mos, gallant foe, and selfish policy,
alike demand that we should leave no
just thing undone that will restore
peace and wel-being to the South, re-
establish fraternal feeling in the hearts
of all our people, and cause our recent
enemies to be proud of and love tire
Government of the Union and its flag.
The welfare of the North is insepara-
bic from that Of the South, and our
country can never attain its full force
and vigor until peace, prosperity and
kind feeling reign throughout its broad