Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-30
GENERAL MCCLELLAN.

BY the death of General George B.
Mcclellan another of the prominent fig
ures in American history has been re-
moved from earthly scenes Of action. Gen
eral Mcclellan was a soldier of the nation
at times when there was need for menof the
highest grade of courage and the broadest
measure of wisdom and discretion. His
loyalty and bravery no man ever ques-
toned, nor yet his ability in all military
arts. He was a thoroughly cultured SOL
der, one Of the products of the Republics
military system of education. His gal
lantry and personal courage were tested in
the Mexican war, when he won promotion
and honors, which he wore with becoming
modesty. As an engineer officer and con-
structor he had but few peers among mod
ern military men. The circumstances that
brought him into command of the Army of
the Potomac were not fortunate for him.
The successes he had heretofore achieved
encouraged the hope Of such aggressive
action on his part as would have brought
the war to a speedy close That he lacked
the essential of daring in the management
OF great army opposed to another great
army, was early manifest. As commander
OF all the armies, he failed to inspire the
country with confidence in his ability to
resist the rebel forces, and his retiracy to
private life before the rebellion was ended
was natural sequence Of the want of vigor
he manifested in the Virginia campaign.
But when this is said, it is no impeach-
ment Of the loyalty or courage of General
Mcclellan. He lacked the fearlessness
and farsightedness of Grant in the con-
duct Of a war against desperate hosts. He
was not the man to take chances" as it
has been expressed, which the sue
cessful General is at critical times
called upon to assume. He lacked that
logged perseverance and tenacity of pur-
pose and determination to do or igsomini-
ously fail in the doing, which made
Grant what he was. He was over-cautious
Tor a successful General, and in this was
his chief weakness. The impartial histo-
riaD finds the facts as to General McClel-
lan's plans and theories Of the Virginia
campaign to be matters involving issues,
but which the great judgment of the coun-
try has settled to its own satisfaction. and
against the judgment of Mcclellan. We
remember that he never had the support
Grant received, and that his army organ
izatiOn was a great contribution to our
final victories, and that he was be-
loved by the men of his army
He was one of the great soldiers of the ma.
ton, and with all his successes and all his
failures marshalled it remains that he wa:
man the republic could do honor TO itsel
in honoring. 1t has done him no injustice
and the blame that has fallen to him fcl
his failures at the head Of the army wa.
never severely visited upon him. What
ever his errors, they were those of a time
when there was more to be forgiven ant
forgotten than at any other period in oul
history. General Mcclellan did not wan
for manifestations of regard after his retir
acy from military life. His visit to Cali
fornia will be remembered as the occasion
of ovations such as are bestowed only upor
men whom the people greatly esteem. He
was made the candidate of great political
party, and was defeated as he should have
been, because the people believed it the
representative of principles and policies al
the time dangerous to the peace of the
country, and the perpetuity of the institu.
lions of the republic. Hewas subsequently
honored by the people of his State with
the highest gift within their power to be
stow. His political career was not remark
able. He lived quiet and retired life, re
spected by his fellow men, and approved as
brave and honest man and a loyal citi
zen.