_lecture_
course, to be filled by public speakers residing in your own
communities. Establish a course of say four, six, eight, or a dozen
evenings, and let only those questions be discussed which pertain to
history, political economy, and politics. We venture the assertion that
such a course, conducted thoroughly in an unpartisan spirit, would be
well patronized, and would exert an influence for good. Never was there
a better time to try the experiment than now.

* * * * *

The death of GENERAL GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN at Newark, N.J.,
October 29, reminds us how narrow is becoming the circle of living
generals who took part in the great Civil War. It is two decades only
since the struggle ceased; but, one by one, the famous leaders have
passed away, and now McClellan has gone--the first to follow his great
commander, Grant.

It is not easy to comment upon the career of General McClellan without
evoking, either from his admirers or his censors, the criticism of being
unfair. To many, especially to the soldiers who fought under his
leadership, he became an ideal of soldierly virtue, and has always held
a warm place in their hearts; while to many others his military and
civil career alike have seemed worthy only of disapprobation.

It was natural that General McClellan should have a large and devoted
following, for he was a man gifted with those personal qualities that
always win popularity to their possessor, so that among the soldiers of
the Army of the Potomac, and among those in civil life with whom he came
in contact, he was usually regarded with admiration. As a military
commander, it must be conceded by his most determined critics, even,
that he possessed certain qualities unsurpassed by those of any other
general in the war. This was true of his ability as an organizer of
volunteer troups, in which capacity he probably rendered more effectual
service than any other man in the Union army. He was also well versed
in the science of war, and was a strategist of a higher order than has
generally been conceded. As is often the case, he failed to receive just
recognition of his really great abilities, because he lacked the needed
complementary qualities. McClellan could admirably plan a campaign,
and could perhaps have carried it to a brilliant issue, had all the
circumstances conformed to his plan, but this not happening, he seemed
unable to adapt his plan to the circumstances. Other genera