Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-09-09
Letter from Gen. G.. B. Mcclellan to a
friend in New York.
CoBURG, CANADA. Aug. 16, 1876.

earnest convictions that press upon me-
Under constitutional government
the formation of political parties is
necessary consequence of the diversit
of human minds and interests. SENT
mentalists in their closets may drear
of an ideal Republic, all of whose cit
liens are perfectly wise, virtuous and
consequently, unanimous; but such
dream can never be realized on thi
earth, and we must recognize the fac
that political parties are not only neces
sary, but beneficial. acting as they do al
checks upon each other. Experienc,
has shown, in all constitutional coun
tries. that when any party possesses I'M
interrupted power for very long time
especially when the minority is tor
weak to interpose and 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 as q personal
possession and reward, rather than q
public trust, and learn to regard their
| tenure as permanent. So, too, the leg
islative bodies become inclined to q
system of extravaganza, which engen-
ders corruption, facilitates the forma-
tion 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 peremptory demand for
complete reform by the people, with
out 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 profess
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 up,
and act with the Democrats, who, from
the force of circumstances, must nces-
sarily be reformers.
have the highest respect for the
personal character and intelligence of
the Republican candidate for the
Presidency, and believe him to be an
upright gentleman; but it seems to me
quite impossible that he can change
the organization 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 to hope
for any change in them, or under them.
1t is now abundantly evident that
had not Democratic House been elec-
ted in 1874, it would have been impos-
sible to unearth the various instances
of mal-administration that have come
to light, and it is equally clear that un-
til 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 may serve to
guide US In the future.
Believing, as [ firmly do, that every
consideration of honesty and sound
craftsmanship. every true national and
individual interest, demands the prompt
inauguration of policy which shall,
in the briefest practicable time, reduce
every governmental exnenditure to the
lowest point CORN Ans,ls with honor
and efficiency; regarding the reform of
the civil service in its broadest sense,
and with it the enforcement upon office
holders of the conviction that their
only business is to perform the public
duties, and not to manipulate party
politics, as an inherent part of this
reform; satisfied that it must be ac-
companied by financial measures stead
lily directed towards the resumption of
specie payments within the shortest
possible period, cannot for a moment
doubt these all-important ends will be
best, and in fact only, attained by the
election ofthe candidate of the Demo
cratic party.
But questions of finance and reform
are not the only ones which effect our
present and future.
The recent war settled forever GER
tain vexed questions for example, the
asserted right of secession has disap-
peared in a sea of blood; slavery has
been abolished, never to reappear; 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. Alter many
trials and tribulations, the States not
long since arrayed in arms against the
general Government, have re.estab-
Iished their relations with the Union,
and regained their autonomy.
Generous courtesy towards fallen,
but most gallant foe, and selfish policy.
alike demand that we should leave no
Just thing undone that will restore
peace and well-being to the South, re-
establish fraternal feelings in the
hearts of all our people, and cause our
recent enemies to be proud of and love
the Government of the Union and its
flag. The welfare of the North is in
separable 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 domain.
| believe that this end can best be
reached by respecting the autonomy
of the individual States, so long as
they respect the obligations of the
Federal compact.
Allowed to govern themselves, pub
lie opinion, self-reSpect and regard
for their own interests will certainly
suffice to induce the Southern States
to place good men in Office and to en-
force the laws. While Of the opinion
that Federal interference should never
be resorted to, except in the cases pro-
vided for in the Constitution, | also
think that, if any outrages are COM
mitted upon the rights, persons or
property of any citizen, whatever his
race, whether white or black, and
the State authorities neglect or hes
itate to do their duty, the General
Government should urge and aid them
in every legal way to enforce order and
and Justice, and should use all its le-
gitimate influence in that direction.
But have sufficient faith in the
honor and ability of our Southern
brethren to believe that, when left to
themselves, they will we'll know how to
enforce Just laws, and secure rights of
the humblest of their fellow oitiZens.
In Mr.. Tilden / am confident that
we have a candidate possessing all the
requisites that the exiganeies of the
times demand. In a long career he
has given the surest proofs of ability
and Integrity. 1t is very easy thing