General Wool writes a letter

Army and Navy Journal, September 17, 1864:

I was more than delighted with the views you entertain in regard to the election of McClellan to the Presidency of the United States. You have said truthfully that his "election means the trailing of our flag in the dust before its enemies, the entire subserviency of the North to the South ;" and you tnight have added the surrender of the United States to Jefferson Davis and his Government. That such is the intention, if they succeed in the election of McClellan, of the leaders of this wide-spread conspiracy of peacemakers, there cannot be a shadow of doubt. It extends over the North as well as the South. Its influence is seen and felt in every city, town and hamlet throughout the land, with its headquarters in Canada, stimulated and encouraged by the three Presidential factions in the Republican ranks, which appear to have paralyzed the whole party.

The conspirators have taken advantage of this silence and apathy of the Republicans, who have hitherto professed to be supporters of the war, and have not failed to add to their ranks, the weak, the timed and cowardly of the Republican party, as well as of the Democratic party. Within the last two days, however, the Republican have been somewhat roused from their lethargy by the recent successes of Major General Sherman. Nothing, for aught that I can discover, will save the Union and its Government but the successes of Grant, Sherman, Farragut, and Sheridan.

These successes may rouse the people and preserve our country ; but nothing else, from present appearances, will save it from the danger with which it is threatened. The perils of the Union were never greater than at the present moment. The conspirator have secret associations, whose members are scattered over the land, using every means in their power to alarm and frighten the ignorant and timid. They are also distributed throughout the Armies and Navy of the United States, and exerting all their powers to induce those who have the privilege of voting to cast their votes for McClellan, who is represented to be popular with the rank and file. At a future day I may present facts which -will substantiate all I have said in regard to this dangerous conspiracy and their convention and their candidates for the Presidency.

It was not the sword of Caesar that destroyed the liberty of Rome, but the demagogues that thronged the forum with souls dead to their country's honor, and spotted with corruption.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant.

(Signed) JOHN E. WOOL