2

From Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, January 18th, 1864.
Correspondence of the Register.

The democratic club of this city had a very interesting meeting at their headquarters on Saturday evening last. Capt. Henry, B. F. Bristow, Wm. Brown, and others, addressed the assembly in an able and patriotic manner with reference to the proper course for the democratic party to pursue in the approaching campaign. It was moved and voted that at the next regular meeting of the club, the members take into consideration the propriety of re-organization, in accordance with the suggestion of the National Committee, under the title of McClellan Club.

The wisdom of a thorough organization of the entire democratic party, by means of precinct clubs, certainly none can doubt. It is the most effective way to diffuse democratic principles and to secure the strength which is the result of united efforts. We have no principle which we need conceal, and, therefore, have no use for secret political organizations. The principles of the democratic party are all plainly written in the Federal constitution; and what we now need is the old fashioned democratic clubs with the latch strings always hanging on the outside. The true theory of organization is to have each precinct club make regular reports to the central club of the county; each county club to make regular reports to the central club of the state; and each state club to make regular reports to the National committee.

It should be the especial duty of the precinct clubs to see that the right kind of democratic newspapers are diffused in their localities, and to furnish them to those who are unable to meet the necessary expense. Such an organization as that would not only be the means of advancing democratic truths, but would also enable every individual democrat, no matter how humble his station, to have a voice in the proceedings of his party. The sentiments of the people will thus be accurately expressed, and a popular enthusiasm will be created, which, like that produced by the famous Marseilles Hymn, will trample under foot every opposition, and hurl from their seats the violators of constitutions and laws.

The national committee have acted wisely in appointing the time for the session of the national convention. A short and vigorous campaign is best for the democracy, for many reasons, not the least of which is that it will be attended with much less expense than a long one; and as the abolitionists have in their possession the machine which grinds out green-backs, they would of course have that advantage over us in a long contest.

It will, of course, make but little difference what particular title we give our clubs, providing their democratic character is plainly manifested; but by organizing democratic clubs, under the title of McClellan clubs, it would be equivalent to McClellan's nomination for the presidency, and its effect would be to begin the campaign now.

It will be time enough to hoist the name of our candidate after the 4th of next July. And though McClellan would doubtless be the candidate of the party, if the convention were now in session, yet it is several months before the convention meets, and it is the duty of the party to be carefully on their guard, that that candidate may be selected who gives the most certain assurances of a democratic triumph.

We are unable to read the future, and circumstances may be developed, between now and the fourth of July, which will confirm the present prevailing preference for McClellan; or it may be that those circumstances will indicate that Gen. Grant, Governor Seymour or some one else should receive the nomination of the party.

At all events we should not be pledged to any candidate, but should remain free to select him who would be the most acceptable to the democracy and conservative men generally.