The Portland Daily Press

Gen. McClernand on the War.

Gen. John A. McClernand of Illinois, the former right hand supporter of Mr. Douglas in that State,-a man who, rising above party, left his seat in Congress to accept the chances of war in defending his country's flag-recently addressed a large meeting of the War Democracy at Milwaukie, and the following extracts are from a condensed report of his speech:

Demagogues-men whose business it is to make politics, have arisen, and raised the cry of party-that the war is being turned into a crusade against slavery-that by supporting the government you undemocratise yourselves. Who says so! Some apostate who has stolen into our ranks. Whatever may come, life or death, it is the duty of every man to stand by the government-whatever may become of parties, save the country. Let Democrats beware, for as you denounced the enemies of the government in times past, so will the lovers of the country in the future denounce you, and all posterity will curse you to all eternity, if you are wanting or falter in this hour of your country's peril. Come out, then, Democrats, for your country.

In regard to the cry of peace raised by the copperheads, he says:

Make peace with the South! Who says so! The man who says so is a traitor, or not in sympathy with the loyal North. The South appealed from the ballot-box to the sword, and now let the sword decide. Peace men had a good deal to say about the constitutional rights of the South, and fell into a fit when slavery was mentioned and cried, "don't touch the nigger." But when the South is found using the negro to overthrow the Government that has preserved it, democracy says, sweep away the negro.

Resistance to the draft he denounced in the strongest terms, saying that the man who resists the draft is as much a traitor as Jeff. Davis, and as much deserves to be hanged. Dissensions at the North are now the only hope of the South. Peace men are playing into the hands of the rebels. The General closed in a strong and eloquent appeal to all to stand by the government to the end.

The General was frequently interrupted by the most enthusiastic applause, and once, when clenching his fists and raising them above his head, he exclaimed, "War, WAR, unending WAR, until rebellion is destroyed," the audience were perfectly wild with excitement, and cheers loud and long filled the hall.