Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-12
mcClellan,s Platform.


GENTLgMEN: l have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter informing me Of my nomina-
ton by the Democratic National Convention, recent
nea e. % Of the States
1t is unnecessary for me to say to you that the
nomination comes to me unsought.
am happy to know that when the nomination was
made the record Of my public life kept in view.
The effect Of long and varied service in the army,
during war and peace, has been TO strengthen and
make indellible in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and flag OF our
country impressed upon me IN early youth. .
nagS 5n1s ~ % a. n 10 Is sns
The existence OF more than one government over
the region which once owned our flag is incompati-
bic with the peace, the power and the happiness Of
The preservation of our Union was the sole ayowed
object fox which the war was commenced. 1t should
have beon conducted for that object only, and in
accordance with those principles which took occa-
sion 10 declare when in active service.
have been easy and we mghi have reaped the bene-
ct Of our many victories on land and sea;
The nion was originally formed by the exercise
Of spirit of cOnciliati0n and compromise 10 re-
store and preserve it. the spirit must prevail in
our councils. and in the hearts of the people.
The rc-establishment Of the Union in al its intes.
condition in any settlement. SO soon as 1t is clear,
OF even probable that our present adversaries are
ready for peace upon the basis Of tie Union, we
should exhaust all the resources Of statesmanship
practced by civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions Of the American people, consistent with
such peace, re- establish the Union, and guarantee
for the future the constitutional rights Of every
State. The Union is the one condition Of peace
Let me add what doubt not was. although unex--
pressed the sentiment Of the Convention as 1t is Of
is willing to return TO the Unon should be receiv-
cd at once with full guarantee of all its constitu-
III frank earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ulte
rior consequences will fall upon those who remain in
arms against the Union. But the Union must be
could not % look IN the face my gallant comrades
Of tho army and navy who have survived so many
bloody battles, and tell them that their labors and
the sacrifice Of so many Of our slain and wounded
brethren had been in vain; that We had abandoned
that Union for which we have SO often perlled our
vast majorityo Of our people. whether in the army
and navy or at home, would. as would, hail with
unbounded JOY the permanent restoration Of peace,
on the basis OF the Union under the Constitution,
without the efusion OF another drop Of blood. But
no peace can be permanent without unon; n r. o,,-
tions Of the convention. need only say that should
seek in the Consultation Of the United States. and
my duty. and the limitations Of executive power;
ondoavgr 10 restore economy in public expenditure
re-establish the supremacy OF law and by asser
tion Of more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations OF the
the paper money, and the burdens thereby imposed
on labor and capital show the necessity Of return
to sound fpnncial system whilst the rights Of cti-
fhority Of law President, army, and people, are
subjects of not less vital Importance in war than in
Believing that the views here expressed are those
Of tbs cony ention and the people you represent,
''fep 4peaiSe G tIe weight Of the responsibility TO bs
borne should the people ratify your choice
Conscious Of my own weakness, 4 can only seek
ferYently the guidance Of the Ruler Of the uni-
IesI II rcstore Union and peace 10 ffering pe0