Urbana Union

Views of an Old Journalist.

The duty of the hour—The war and the Presidential questions—How they should be conducted—Who will be the Democratic nominee?—General George B. McClellan—the signs point to as the man!

Ed. Urbana Union:—I have read with much satisfaction the last number of your paper, and particularly your views in regard to the action of the State Convention on the 23d proximo. With a platform upon which all conservative men can unite, or a leader whose past life and devotion to country and constitutional rights afford a sufficient guarantee that his entire efforts will be directed to the preservation of the Union, we can enter into the contest with a surety of success.

The Constitution itself is the best platform. It was that which created the Union—and a faithful adherence to it would have preserved it. Whenever the people come to regard that sacred instrument with the reverence and affection due to it, this war will be brought to a close.

Had the war have been prosecuted in the spirit of the Crittenden resolutions—the rebellion would ere this have been squelched. If the administration had carried on the war in the spirit of General McClellan's famous letter to the President, and under his direction, success would ere this have been our fortune.

Radicals obtained the ear of President Lincoln, and their 'pressure overcame his better judgment, and from that hour evils innumerable, and follies and mistakes incalculable have ensued. The change of policy, while it served to unite the South, distracted and divided the North. Thousands of voters throughout the country, who were for a vigorous prosecution of the war for putting down the rebellion and maintaining the supremacy of the Constitution, conceiving that the purpose was changed, and the sole desire was to subjugate the South and free the negroes, reluctantly withdrew from its advocacy and became quasi peace men. The wholesale denunciation of the people of the South—the confiscation and emancipation schemes—the proclamations disregarding the rights of Unionists in the revolted States, and with a single dash of the pen obliterating all the privileges and franchises the Constitution gave them, had a most prejudicial effect. The greatest of blunders was committed in denying to General McClellan the force and assistance he called for, and then in removing him from chief command because of his expressed desire to conduct the war in accordance with the well settled principles of 'Christianity,' or civilized warfare, and the spirit of the Constitution. A succession of blunders has followed—one crowding fast upon the heels of another—alienating friends, enbittering foes, and working ruin to our hopes.

The cause of the Union must be kept prominent in the coming Presidential contest. The Constitution must be maintained inviolate, and the effort made to place those in power who will administer the government with firmness, moderation and conciliation—reform abuses, rectify errors, retrench expenditures, arrest thieving officers, shoddy contractors and speculators, and by the judicious exercise of power tempered with mercy, bring back within the Union of the States, and beneath the folds of our starry banner, repentant rebels and revolted States, that we may once again be a happy and united people.

Of all men now in the public eye, General McClellan is best calculated for this great work. In the words of a gallant soldier, recently spoken in New York—'He who has been the savior of the Army of the Potomac, will yet be the savior of the United States!' Already nominated by the Conservatives, and almost certain to be nominated by the Democracy; it only wants this last indorsement to make him the sole standard bearer in opposition to the radicals, and the present unwise and unlucky administration.

In New York and Connecticut the feeling in favor of McClellan carries everything before it. Having been in those States when their conventions were held I speak what I know when I avow that there is the greatest enthusiasm for McClellan. The resolutions of Connecticut are pointed to as of a peace character and yet that State Convention adjourned with three rousing cheers for General George B. McClellan, the next President! The same feeling was shown in Guernsey county in this State, which appointed forty delegates to the State Convention, and declared McClellan their first choice—and yet in that county the Democracy zealously supported Vallandigham. So also in Knox, the county where Vallandigham made the speech which caused his arrest, McClellan delegates were selected, and the County Convention adjourned with three cheers for General McClellan. In Mt. Vernon, at the primary election, the issue was made by Vallandigham's friends, and then their ticket for delegates was beaten by 133 votes. 'Straws show which way the wind blows,' is an old adage, and these indications manifest that the mind of the Democratic voters is fast settling down into the belief that McClellan is the man for President. Many of us would unquestionably select some other man if we had the electing power; but at this hour of greatest peril it becomes all good citizens to discard prejudice and personal predilections, and come up unitedly and manfully to 'the help of the Lord against the mighty'—the contest against the serried hosts of abolitionism and treason—the worst foes to our Constitutional Union and to free government.

Delhi.