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The struggles (social, financial and political) of Petroleum V. Nasby

embracing his trials and troubles, ups and downs, rejoicings and wailings, likewise his views of men and things : together with the lectures "Cussid be Canaan," "The struggles of a conservative with the woman question," and "In search of the man of sin"
Locke, David Ross (1833-1888)
  
[book-plate]
  
[title page]
  
DEDIKASHUN.
  
PREFIS.
  
INTRODUCTION.
  
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
  
CONTENTS.

 1. 
I. AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
 2. 
II. THE SECESSION OF WINGERT'S CORNERS.
 3. 
III. NEGRO EMIGRATION.
 4. 
IV. PROPOSES TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY.
 5. 
V. ANNIHILATES AN OBERLINITE.
 6. 
VI. MAKES A CANDIDATE “UV HISSELF.”
 7. 
VII. SHOWS WHY HE SHOULD NOT BE DRAFTED.
 8. 
VIII. IN CANADA.
 9. 
IX. IS FINALLY DRAFTED.
 10. 
X. DESERTS — HIS EXPERIENCE IN CLOTHES.
 11. 
XI. CAPTURES A TURKEY.
 12. 
XII. IMPROVES HIS FORTUNES BY MARRIAGE.
 13. 
XIII. CONVERSES WITH A SOUTHERN SOLDIER.
 14. 
XIV. AT HOME.
 15. 
XV. ASSISTS DRAFT RESISTERS.
 16. 
XVI. STRATEGISES.
 17. 
XVII. ADDRESSES THE SOLDIERS.
 18. 
XVIII. ORGANIZES A DEMOCRATIC CHURCH.
 19. 
XIX. GOES ON WITH HIS CHURCH.
 20. 
XX. “CAPCHERD.”
 21. 
XXI. STARTS A PAPER.
 22. 
XXII. PREACHES AND MAKES A SUDDEN SHIFT.
 23. 
XXIII. OBSERVES A DAY OF FASTING.
 24. 
XXIV. CONFESSION OF FAITH.
 25. 
XXV. VISITS VALLANDIGHAM.
 26. 
XXVI. CONVERSES WITH A BROTHER.
 27. 
XXVII. PREACHES — SUBJECT, “GIVIN.”
 28. 
XXVIII. VISITS CAMP DENNISON TO ELECTIONEER FOR VALLANDIGHAM.
 29. 
XXIX. WAILETH.
 30. 
XXX. IN THE “APOSSEL BIZNIS.”
 31. 
XXXI. HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT.
 32. 
XXXII. PREACHES.
 33. 
XXXIII. SUBMITS A PLAN FOR THE SALVATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
 34. 
XXXIV. TAKES A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW.
 35. 
XXXV. COMMUNES WITH SPIRITS.
 36. 
XXXVI. TRIES AN EXPERIMENT.
 37. 
XXXVII. ESTABLISHES AFRICAN SLAVERY.
 38. 
XXXVIII. OPPOSES THE NOMINATION OF A MILITARY MAN.
 39. 
XXXIX. TRIES TO AWAKEN AN INTEREST.
 40. 
XL. RECOMMENDS UNANIMITY.
 41. 
XLI. AGAIN REPUDIATES M'CLELLAN, AND GIVES REASONS THEREFOR.
 42. 
XLII. ORDAINS A MISSIONARY.
 43. 
XLIII. GIVES THANKS.
 44. 
XLIV. WAILETH.
 45. 
XLV. FREMONT'S NOMINATION.
 46. 
XLVI. THE RETURN OF VALLANDIGHAM.
 47. 
XLVII. DEFINES HIS POSITION, AND APPEALS FOR AID.
 48. 
XLVIII. DECLARES FOR REPUDIATION AND UNION WITH THE SOUTH.
 49. 
XLIX. SHOWS THAT A WAR PLATFORM WON'T DO FOR THE DEMOCRACY.
 50. 
L. HAS A CLASS-MEETING, AND DEPRECATES NEGRO-KILLING.
 51. 
LI. STARTS A SOCIETY OF HIS OWN.
 52. 
LII. INDORSES THE NOMINATION.
 53. 
LIII. THE CANDIDATES AND PLATFORM.
 54. 
LIV. WAILETH.
 55. 
LV. LAMENTETH.
 56. 
LVI. HAS A DREAM.
 57. 
LVII. LOSES A FRIEND, AND WRITES HIS OBITUARY.
 58. 
LVIII. HAS A DIFFICULTY WITH HIS FLOCK AND LEAVES IT.
 59. 
LIX. DEPRECATES THE ARMING OF THE SLAVES BY THE SOUTH.
 60. 
LX. HAS A FRIGHTFUL DREAM.
 61. 
LXI. PROPOSES THE EMIGRATION OF THE DEMOCRACY.
 62. 
LXII. CONSULTS THE SPIRITS.
 63. 
LXIII. “WAILETH AND CUSSETH.”
 64. 
LXIV. RENOUNCES SLAVERY.
 65. 
LXV. LAMENTETH.
 66. 
LXVI. DETAILS THE FAILURES OF THE DEMOCRACY.
 67. 
LXVII. MR. NASBY AND HIS FRIENDS HOLD A MEETING ON THE FALL OF CHARLESTON.
 68. 
LXVIII. LAMENTETH OVER THE APOSTASY OF THE SAINTS.
 69. 
LXIX. THE FALL OF RICHMOND AND LEE'S SURRENDER.
 70. 
LXX. THE ASSASSINATION.
 71. 
LXXI. “MAKES A DELEGASHUN UV HISSELF,” AND VISITS THE PRESIDENT.
 72. 
LXXII. HAS A VISION.
 73. 
LXXIII. LAYS DOWN A PLATFORM FOR THE COMING CAMPAIGN.
 74. 
LXXIV. MEETS A “RECONSTRUCTID SUTHERN CHIVELRY, AND HEZ CONFIDENCES.”
 75. 
LXXV. “DREAMS A DREAM.”
 76. 
LXXVI. ISSUES AN ADDRESS TO THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY.
 77. 
LXXVII. SEARCHES THE SCRIPTURES, AND GETS COMFORT THEREFROM.
 78. 
LXXVIII. OPPOSES THE NOMINATION OF SOLDIERS.
 79. 
LXXIX. SUGGESTS A “PSALM OF SADNESS” FOR HIS FRIENDS SOUTH.
 80. 
LXXX. A HORRIBLE VISION.
 81. 
LXXXI. MEETS A PARDONED REBEL, WHO ENLIGHTENS HIM.
 82. 
LXXXII. ON SOUTHERN CHARACTER.
 83. 
LXXXIII. ON THE DIVERSITY OF THE RACES.
 84. 
LXXXIV. HAS A CONVERSATION WITH THE DEVIL.
 85. 
LXXXV. APPEAL TO THE DEMOCRACY.
 86. 
LXXXVI. AFTER THE OCTOBER ELECTIONS, 1865.
 87. 
LXXXVII. AFTER THE NEW JERSEY ELECTION, 1865.
 88. 
LXXXVIII. A CONVERSATION WITH GENERAL McSTINGER, OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, WHICH IS INTERRUPTED BY A SUBJUGATED REBEL.
 89. 
LXXXIX. A REMARKABLE DREAM. — A COUNTRY SETTLED EXCLUSIVELY BY DEMOCRATS.
 90. 
XC. A CHANGE OF BASE — KENTUCKY. — A SERMON WHICH WAS INTERRUPTED BY A SUBJUGATED AND SUBDUED CONFEDERATE.
 91. 
XCI. THE EFFECT THE PROCLAMATION OF SECRETARY SEWARD PRODUCED IN KENTUCKY.
 92. 
XCII. A CONVERSATION WITH A LOYAL KENTUCKIAN, WHO HAD FAITH IN THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY.
 93. 
XCIII. A PLAN SUGGESTED FOR THE UP-BUILDING OF THE DEMOCRACY.
 94. 
XCIV. ENJOYS A VISION OF THE NEXT WORLD, SEEING THEREIN MANY CURIOUS THINGS, WHICH ARE PUBLISHED AS A WARNING TO POLITICIANS.
 95. 
XCV. THE SITUATION. — THE DEMOCRACY WARNED.
 96. 
XCVI. THE PRESIDENT'S 22D OF FEBRUARY SPEECH.
 97. 
XCVII. THE PRESIDENT IMPLORED TO SHOW HIS HAND.
 98. 
XCVIII. THE PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM. — AN AFFECTING APPEAL IN BEHALF OF A FRIEND.
 99. 
XCIX. A DREAM. — THE CORPSE OF REPUBLICANISM.
 100. 
C. A KENTUCKY TEA PARTY.
 101. 
CI. A PSALM OF GLADNESS. — VETO OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
 102. 
CII. A CRY OF EXULTATION. — A GLEAM OF LIGHT.
 103. 
CIII. A WAIL OF ANGUISH. — THE PASSAGE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL OVER THE VETO.
 104. 
CIV. MOURNFUL VIEW OF THE SITUATION.
 105. 
CV. THE RECONSTRUCTED CONGRATULATE THE COUNTRY UPON THE MEMPHIS OUTBREAK.
 106. 
CVI. THE WORKINGS OF THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU. — A REPORT.
 107. 
CVII. PRESIDES AT A CHURCH TRIAL.
 108. 
CVIII. TURNS A MEETING, CALLED TO INDORSE GENERAL ROSSEAU, TO ACCOUNT.
 109. 
CIX. PREACHES — THE “PRODIGAL SON.” — AN INTERRUPTION.
 110. 
CX. A PLEASANT DREAM, THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION BEING THE SUBJECT THEREOF.
 111. 
CXI. REWARD OF VIRTUE. — THE VIRTUOUS PATRIOT SECURES HIS LOAF. — JOLLIFICATION.
 112. 
CXII. THE CONVOCATION OF HUNGRY SOULS AT PHILADELPHIA. — A DESCRIPTION OF THAT MEMORABLE OCCASION BY ONE WHO HAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR.
 113. 
CXIII. THE GREAT PRESIDENTIAL EXCURSION TO THE TOMB OF DOUGLAS. — FROM WASHINGTON TO DETROIT.
 114. 
CXIV. THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR CONTINUED. — FROM DETROIT TO INDIANAPOLIS.
 115. 
CXV. THE END OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR. — FROM LOUISVILLE TO WASHINGTON.
 116. 
CXVI. AT HOME AGAIN. — A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF SOUL-HARROWING OUTRAGES INFLICTED UPON THE PEOPLE OF CONFEDERATE × ROADS BY A PARTY OF FREEDMEN, AND HOW THE INSULT WAS WIPED OUT.
 117. 
CXVII. IS REQUESTED TO ACT AS CHAPLAIN OF THE CLEVELAND CONVENTION. — THAT BEAUTIFUL CITY VISITED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
 118. 
CXVIII. AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE JUST BEFORE THE OCTOBER ELECTIONS.
 119. 
CXIX. THE OCTOBER ELECTIONS. — THE EFFECT THE RESULT PRODUCED IN KENTUCKY.
 120. 
CXX. THE OCTOBER ELECTIONS. — MR. NASBY'S OPINION ON THE CAUSE OF THE DEFEAT OF THE PRESIDENT.
 121. 
CXXI. “WILL YOU HAVE ANDREW JOHNSON PRESIDENT OR KING?” — A DREAM, IN WHICH ANDREW JOHNSON FIGURES AS A KING, SURROUNDED BY HIS NOBLES.
 122. 
CXXII. A CABINET MEETING. — LETTERS FROM REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER, GENERAL CUSTAR, HENRY J. RAYMOND, AND HON. JOHN MORRISSEY, EACH ANXIOUS TO PRESERVE HIS REPUTATION. — A SAD TIME AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
 123. 
CXXIII. A SERMON UPON THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS, FROM THE TEXT, “NO MAN PUTTETH NEW WINE INTO OLD BOTTLES,” WITH A DIGRESSION OR TWO.
 124. 
CXXIV. THE AMNESTY PROPOSITION. — THE CROSS ROADS MADE THE VICTIM OF A CRUEL HOAX.
 125. 
CXXV. MR. NASBY PROJECTS A COLLEGE.
 126. 
CXXVI. MR. NASBY TRIES TO WEEP AT THE TOMB OF A FRIEND.
 127. 
CXXVII. MR. NASBY IN NORTH CAROLINA. — THE ABROGATION OF GENERAL SICKLES'S ORDER.
 128. 
CXXVIII. MR. NASBY'S ACCOUNT OF HIS STEWARDSHIP. — LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF THE COLLEGE EDIFICE.
 129. 
CXXIX. MR. NASBY ESSAYS A SERMON, BUT IS INTERRUPTED BY A NIGGER.
 130. 
CXXX. MR. NASBY DOES THE × ROADS A SERVICE.
 131. 
CXXXI. AN IMPORTANT CASE AT THE CORNERS UNDER THE VAGRANT ACT.—THE DECISIONS OF 'SQUIRE GAVITT.
 132. 
CXXXII. MR. NASBY IS DESPATCHED BY THE PRESIDENT UPON A MISSION, SIMILAR TO THAT OF MR. McCRACKEN.
 133. 
CXXXIII. MR. NASBY'S BOARD COMMENCE THE COMPILATION OF A SERIES OF SCHOOL BOOKS FOR THE “INSTITOOT.”
 134. 
CXXXIV. MR. NASBY DESIRES CONFIRMATION. — IS ADVISED HOW TO PROCEED BY THE PRESIDENT, BUT REJECTS THE PROPOSITION WITH SCORN.
 135. 
CXXXV. MR. NASBY TAKES A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW.
 136. 
CXXXVI. MR. NASBY, IN IMITATION OF WADE HAMPTON, TRIES TO CONCILIATE THE AFRICAN.
 137. 
CXXXVII. THE CONNECTICUT ELECTION.
 138. 
CXXXVIII. THE RUSSIAN PURCHASE.
 139. 
CXXXIX. A SLIGHT ALTERATION IN THE NAME AND POLICY OF MR. NASBY'S “INSTITOOT.”
 140. 
CXL. MR. NASBY PREACHES A SERMON, THE EFFECT OF WHICH IS DESTROYED BY NORTHERN PAPERS.
 141. 
CXLI. THE DECEASE OF ELDER GAVITT.
 142. 
CXLII. TRIUMPHAL PROGRESS OF J. DAVIS FROM FORTRESS MONROE TO RICHMOND.
 143. 
CXLIII. AN ACCOUNT OF THE TRIP TO RALEIGH.
 144. 
CXLIV. THE BOSTON EXCURSION.
 145. 
CXLV. MR. NASBY DREAMS A DREAM.
 146. 
CXLVI. THE NEGRO QUESTION. — THE CHANGE.
 147. 
CXLVII. A CONSULTATION AT THE CORNERS, FOLLOWED BY A DREAM.
 148. 
CXLVIII. AN AMNESTY PROCLAMATION.
 149. 
CXLIX. MR. NASBY IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTY IN SOUTHERN OHIO.
 150. 
CL. THE ANTIETAM DEDICATION.
 151. 
CLI. MR. NASBY ASSISTS IN THE OHIO ELECTION. — THE DEFEAT OF THE AMENDMENT.
 152. 
CLII. A MEETING AT THE CORNERS.
 153. 
CLIII. THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
 154. 
CLIV. MR. NASBY REGULATES A SCHOOL.
 155. 
CLV. THE ALABAMA CONVENTION. — THE WOES OF JOHN GUTTLE, JR.
 156. 
CLVI. A CONVENTION OF SUFFERERS.
 157. 
CLVII. THE DECEASE OF ELDER PENNIBACKER.
 158. 
CLVIII. THE PENDLETON THEORY IN KENTUCKY.
 159. 
CLIX. THE IMPEACHMENT MATTER.
 160. 
CLX. POLLOCK VS. BIGLER.
 161. 
CLXI. SERGEANT BATES IN PETTUSVILLE, VIRGINIA.
 162. 
CLXII. A CONVENTION AT THE CORNERS.
 163. 
CLXIII. THE PREPARATIONS OF THE MARTYR FOR THE COMING EVENT.
 164. 
CLXIV. THE IMPEACHMENT FAILURE. — THE FEELING AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
 165. 
CLXV. THE CHICAGO CONVENTION. — MR. NASBY GETS ON A HEAVY DISGUST.
 166. 
CLXVI. THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
 167. 
CLXVII. MR. NASBY A DELEGATE TO NEW YORK.
 168. 
CLXVIII. A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO RATIFY THE NOMINATIONS AT THE CORNERS.
 169. 
CLXIX. THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
 170. 
CLXX. MR. NASBY GOES TO NEW YORK AND ESTABLISHES HIMSELF IN BUSINESS.
 171. 
CLXXI. MR. NASBY AND HIS FRIENDS CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF BREAD AND BUTTER.
 172. 
CLXXII. MR. NASBY FINDS A NEW BUSINESS WHICH PROMISES AMPLE PROFITS.
 173. 
CLXXIII. THE LAST OUTRAGE UPON KENTUCKY. — PASSAGE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BY THE HOUSE.
 174. 
CLXXIV. THE LAST CABINET MEETING. — THE END OF THE JOHNSON REIGN.
 175. 
CLXXV. MR. NASBY WITNESSES A PROCESSION OF THE SONS OF ERIN.
 176. 
CLXXVI. THE CORNERS OUTRAGED.
 177. 
CLXXVII. THE CORNERS HAVE A DISCUSSION AS TO THE MATTER OF CARPET-BAGGERS.
 178. 
CLXXVIII. MR. NASBY NURSES THE LABOR MOVEMENT AT THE CORNERS.
 179. 
CLXXIX. MR. NASBY AND HIS CONFRERES HOLD A COMMERCIAL CONVENTION AT THE CORNERS.
 180. 
CLXXX. MR. NASBY AT LAST LOSES HIS POST OFFICE.
 181. 
CLXXXI. MR. NASBY RECEIVES A LETTER FROM HIS STEADFAST FRIEND.
 182. 
CLXXXII. MR. NASBY ATTENDS A CONVOCATION OF THE DEMOCRACY OF NEW YORK.
 183. 
CLXXXIII. SETTLED AT LAST. — THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO BE HIS FINAL RESTING-PLACE.
 184. 
CLXXXIV. MR. NASBY GIVES A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF HIS NEW ESTABLISHMENT.
 185. 
CLXXXV. THE FRIENDS OF MR. NASBY HOLD A MEETING AND INDULGE IN A WAIL OVER THE PASSAGE OF THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT BY THE OHIO LEGISLATURE.
 186. 
CLXXXVI. MR. NASBY IN A DESPONDENT FRAME OF MIND.
 187. 
CLXXXVII. THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
 188. 
CLXXXVIII. MR. NASBY ATTEMPTS TO GET POSSESSION OF THE NEGRO VOTE.
 189. 
CLXXXIX. A FEW LAST WORDS. — THE WRITER HEREOF BIDS HIS READERS FAREWELL, AND HURLS A TRIFLE OF EXHORTATION AFTER THEM.
  
“CUSSID BE CANAAN!”
  
“THE STRUGGLES OF A CONSERVATIVE WITH THE WOMAN QUESTION.”
  
“IN SEARCH OF THE MAN OF SIN.”

  
APPENDIX.
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137

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53. LIII.
THE CANDIDATES AND PLATFORM.

Church of the Noo Dispensashun, }
September the 8th, 1864.

[1] The nominashens uv the Chicago Convenshun is made, and
altho they don't soot me, I shall support em. Post-orfises
can't be attained by us thro Linkin — Micklellan is the way,
and as a Dimekratik prophet I remark, “Walk ye in it.”

But I'm hevin a time with my flock. Ther's more uv a
diversity uv opinion than I ever saw among Dimekrats afore,
and I'm afeered that my gigantik intellek ain't hefty enuff to
reconcile the differences. I called a meetin last nite, in the
hopes uv settlin matters and restorin harmony.

I took the cheer, and made a few elokent remarks. Brothers
Siples, Spot, Hopp, and Gamp, who hev faith to bleeve they'll
respectively hold the orfises uv assessor, collecter, postmaster,
and provo marshel, on the strength uv remarks I made to em,
wuz enthoosiastik for Micklellan. They bleeved him to be the

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Dimekratik Messiah, raised up expressly to save the instooshn.
They shood give him a hearty, cordial support.

Brother Punt, who boards me on tick, and who furnishes me
likker on the same terms, wich is ez good ez I cood wish, and
who expex payment wen I git a orfis, wuz enthoosiastiker for
Micklellan than any uv us. He wuz surprised at the apathy that
pervailed, wen so much wuz at stake. He perposed three
cheers for Micklellan. Brothers Siples, Spot, Gamp, Hopp,
Punt, and myself cheerd with the wildest enthoosiasm.

At this pint Brother Guttle ariz. He hed heard nonsence
enuff. He wuz under 45, and wuz able-bodied. Consekently
he jined the Sons uv Liberty, and bought a revolver, and had
his rifle fixed. Wat wuz to be done with them tools? Wuz
he to hev no opportoonity to yoose em? Wat he wantid to
know, wuz Micklellan peace or war? Ef he wuz peace, all
rite. He'd ez soon shoot provo marshels under his banner, ez
anybody's, but bein a peace man, he must shoot somebody.
He hed a neighbor read the platform to him day before yesterday.
He must say he wuz disgusted. We are peace. We
bleeve in State-rites, in immejit recognishun uv Suthern
independence, and wuz opposed to coershun. To all uv wich
he hed sworn. He dident go much on oaths, but wen a oath
sootid him he'd keep it. Why didn't the convenshun say
peace? Ef he hed got to be dragged into the army like a
peace lamb to the slawter, he'd ez soon let Linkin drag him ez
Micklellan. It wuz the draggin into the field that he objectid to
— not the man who dragged him. He wanted to know, he did.

I replied to this misguidid man. I assomed that majestic,
lofty, penetratin gaze, wich only two men in Ameriky possest
— me and D. Webster. I told him that obedience wuz the
fust principle uv Dimokrasy. The convenshun — OUR convenshun,
hed nominatid — all we hed to do wuz to vote. Ef the
convenshun hed seen fit to nominate a war man, on a war
platform, it wood hev bin our dooty to hev votid it; but the
convenshun wuz not hard on us. It accommodated us all.
Are yoo a War Dimekrat? Wasn't Micklellan a gineral?
Isn't he the inventor uv drafts? Didn't he arrest the Maryland
Legislacher? Are yoo a peace man? Didn't the majestik
Micklellan endorse Judge Woodward? Didn't he take the

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nominashun at the hands uv Vallandigum? Are yoo a Suthern
man? Ask any Suthern gineral who he'd ruther see at the
head uv our armies, and he'd answer, in thunder tones, Micklellan!
Then the platform. Is ther anything in it agin war?
Is ther anything in it agin peace? It is a accommodatin
platform, halleloogy! Brother Hopp, who is a thirstin after
human gore, can slake his thirst at this fountain. To Brother
Guttle, who wuz a peace man, this platform wuz the white-winged
angel herself. I hevn't eggsamined it critikally, but I
hevn't the slightest doubt that the doctrin uv fore ordinashen,
or total depravity, or elecshun, or free grace, kin be proved
from it concloosively.

It's a broad platform. Ther wuz room on it for Fernandywood
and Sam Cox, for Vallandigum and Seymore — the
pyramid built on said platform has room on the apex for Micklellan
with his gory sword, and Pendleton with his olive-branch,
halleloogy!

Brother Guttle wuz reprimanded. I hevn't any doubt that
my Church will be a unit in support uv the nominashens. Ef
we cood stop the runnin to Canady in consekens uv the draft,
I hev no doubt we wood hev our usual majority.

Petroleum V. Nasby,
Paster uv sed Church, in charge.
 
[1]

General George B. McClellan, a graduate of West Point, a martinet of some
skill and proficiency, who had served in the Mexican war with some credit
as a subaltern, was, by the manœuvring of certain Ohio Democrats, made
Major General of the Ohio forces, before the regular organization of the army
by the General Government. He was rapidly pushed forward, chiefly by
politicians of the party to which he belonged. President Lincoln desired to
welcome into the army all patriotic and serviceable men, without distinction of
party, and gave the rising officer all the credit and advantage his friends claimed
for him. The Administration gave him its entire confidence, and few men have
ever had such splendid opportunity to gain military renown as General McClellan
had. But he seemed more anxious to perpetuate slavery, and to provide for the
future of the Democratic party, than to subdue the armies of the rebellion.
His period of service was one of deep and painful solicitude to the more discerning
and patriotic men of the country, and the patience of President Lincoln
towards him was a sore trial to many of his best friends, and begat more distrust
of his administration than anything else connected with his official course.
When the time came for the Democracy to use the “young Napoleon” they
had had in training for the Presidential candidacy, he was in a very poor plight
for the race. His martial philosophy — his theory of the principles on which
the war should be conducted — was fatally defective, and his military efforts in
the main ineffective and disastrous. He made, therefore, only a weak and
unpopular candidate for the party which expected so much of him.

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