The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-04-09
0oYERVoR GENERAL MCCLELLAN.


opinion, and 1t has been confirmed by subsc-
quent study and observation, that the main
obstacle to the capture Of Richmond by Nc
Clellan in 1862, was that General Lee kept the
Confederate army in continuous session. II
Lee had only adjourned, taken recess, occu-
pied the rear instead of the front Of Rich
nond, the stars and stripes would have waved
over the rebel capital on the Fourth Of July
of that memorable year. That they did not
so wave is due to the obstinacy of General
Lee, who thought his own end was worth the
holding up. It is easy to see how it might
have been otherwise. except for Que thing,
General Lee lacked confidence in Mcclellan,
or, at least, in the troops under McClellan's
command. The soldiers might choose to re
main in session. There was certain hesi-
fancy just at that time aud finally--wby re-.
peat the story of that sickening time? Gem
eral Mcclellan wrote letter of advice to
President Lincoln, explaining to him that it
was all his--Lincoln's- and that a bet
ter policy in the government would secure
more reliable loyalty in its Generals. Lincoln
did not take the advice. Mcclellan was ORDER
ed to Trenton.
| The policy which failed on the Chickahcm-
iny-that of coaxing the enemy not to fight,
In the hope that the North might abandon its
own cause--has succeeded at the junction of
the Assanpink and the Delaware. The hos
tile forces having adjourned, Mcclellan be-
comes capable of the first sensation of VIC
tory. The dream of his life is realized. De.
lay and sow-goiDg are triumphant. The Leg
stature adjourned, its work done, our Gov
ernor General remains master of the vacant
field. He can do now by the simple Austen
tatiou of bis pen, what he could not do by ar
gument, influence, persuasion or manliness. -
His sign manual is now the only weapon in
the contest. That he can WELD in the highest
attitude of Office heroism.
We are compelled to say to Governor Nc
Clellan-we will instance a few of his mac
tions of success-that it is an affront to the
people of New Jersey that he should so dis
regard the action of their Legislature as he
has. The constitution of the State trusts
to the personal honor of its Governor. lie
has more than generous option in the dis
posal of bills passed by the Representatives of
the people ia the Senate and Assembly. He
can approve and so close a reconsideration. -
He can signify modified dissent by sending
the bill to the Secretary of State without his
signature but still have it law. lie can wait
i over The adjournment of the Legislature and
take full time for calm deliberation. He can
veto bill during session and state his reas
ons of difference. He can finally do the in
dignity of sending the bill to the State Libra
ran, as refuge of policy which our Constitu--
ton unwisely grants, with the understanding
that it shall not be employed except bravely,
in last rebuke of Legislative dishonor. II
has been until now unheard of that bill shall
be SO dshonored except as a correction of
fatuous blunder on the part of the Senate and
Assembly.
None of these considerations enter into
these sub cellar vetoes. Looking down the
list of these reports of victory after defeat,
we find that Senator Hobart's bills are main
ly the victims of this after-the- battle heroisn,
although Francis comes in for fair share
Bodine's bill, to cut off portion of the fees
of the Secretary of State went TO grass OF
course. The Soldiers Home falls into pauper-
ism because the Governor cannot trust the
Judgment of the Managers, the Legislature or
anybody else, although it would have been
brave, If not polite, in him to have said so In
the usual and manly exercise of the veto pow
err. But the Governor has preferred to be uu-
dertaker rather than exccutioner.
One thing is evident. In Nc cleIlan's cam
paigns time is the grand element and the abb
sence of the enemy is the angel of safety -
As honest and intelligent a Legislature as cv-
er met in New Jersey, body as courteous to
the executive as courtesy demands, is defeat
ed in many of its most well-considered meas
ures, some Of them almost or quite unani-
mously passed, most of them assertions of
Judgment and principle in legislation, by use
of the executive power unexampled in the
history Of the State aud arrogant in the use
of the final prerogaiive of the Office. We speak
for the people of New Jersey, for Democrats
and Republicans, when we say that this use
OF the underground veto is not at all in the
style Of what is known as Jersey Justice,
which always implies open exercise Of power
and free controversy as to the right of its ex-
ercise. General Mcclellan has been several
tiiHtS mfbthkcn III HIS VOcdtlOn OF VocdIiDnb,
for he has had many There is mechanical
problem which has never been solyed--the
construction of an augur which will bore a
round, square or three-cornered hole at
the will of the operator. He seems to be en-
gagged on that problem.
----e---- -r.----s o $50
Every one will get to Heaven who could
live there" This saying of an old divine was
probably suggested by such Scripture truths
as these "There shall in no wise enter into
it any thing that defileth = without holiness
no man shall see the Lord"
Twenty years ago." says colored phil
osopher, ssniegers was wufa thousand dollars
apiece. Now dey would be deah at two doll
lars dozen. It's 'stonishing how de race am
runnin' down."
The bricks Of which the pyramids of Egypt
are built contain abundant remains of animal
and vegetable life, perfectly preserved, and
throw light upon the civilization of ancient