The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-09-15
Gen. MGiellaH's Letter Of Ac-
Ceptance.
oRAsoE, New-Jersey, Sept. 8, 1864.

forming me Oh Uy uomihasiou Ny the
Democratic National Convention, recently
held at Chicago, as their candidate at the
next election for President OF the United
States 1t is unnecessary for me to say
TO you that this nomination comes to me
unsousht. I am happy to know that
when the nomination was made, the record
of my public life was kept in view. The
effect OF long and varied service in the
army, during war and peace, has been to
strengthen and make indelible in my min d
and heart, the love and reverence for the
Union, Constitution, Laws, and Flag of
our country, impressed upon me in early
youth. Il These feelings have thus far
guided the course of my life, and must
continue to do SO to its end. The exist
ence of more than one Government over
the region which once owned our flag is
incompatible with the peace, the power,
and the happiness of the people. The
preservation of our Union was The sole
avowed object fer which the war was COM
menced It should have been conducted
for that object only, and in accordance
with those principles which [ took occa
sion to declare when In active service
Thus conducted, the work OF reconciliation
would have been easy, and we might have
reaped the benefits of our many victories
on land and sea- The Union was origin
ally formed by the exercise of spirit of
couciliation and compromise. To restore
and preserve it, the same spirit must pre-
vail in our councils and in the hearts OF
the people The re-establishment Of the
Union in all its integrity, Is, and must
continue to be, the indis pensable condi
ton in any settlement. So soon as 1t is
clear, and even probable, that our present
adversaries are ready for peace, upon the
basis Of the Union, we should exhaust all
the resources of craftsmanship practiced
by civilized natious, and taught to the
traditions of the American people, consls-
tent with the honor aud interests of the
country, to secure 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
we ask no more. a
Let me add what 1 doubt not was, al
though expressed, the sentiment of the
Con vention, as it IS of the people they
represent, that when any one State is will
ling TO return to the Union. it should be
received at once, with full guarantee Of
all its constitutional rights. If frank,
earnest and persisteG effort to obtain those
objects should fail, the responsibility for
ulterior consequences will tall upon those
who remain in arms against the Union
But the Union must be preserved at ali
hazards | could not look In the face of
my gallant comrades of the army and navy,
- CO nIu hott
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 perilled our lives. A
yast majority OF our people, whether In the
army aud navy or at home, would, as L
would, hail with unbounded joy the per
manent restoration of peace, on the basis
of the u MON under the Constitution, with
out the effusion of another drop OF blood.
But no peace can be permanent without
union. -f faEl -s
AS to the other subjects presented in
the resolutions Of the Convention, need
only say that l should seek, in the Consti-
tuition of the United States, and the laws
framed in accordance Herewith, the rule
of my duty, and the limitations Of Execu-
tive power; endeavor to restore economy
IN public expenditure, re establish the SUI
premacy of law, and by the operation of a
more rigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations.
of the earth. The condition of our f.
nances, the depreciation of the paper
money, and the burdens thereby imposed
on labor and capital, upon the necessity
of return to sound financial system
while the rights of citizens and the rights
of States, and the binding authority of law
over President, Army and People, are
subjects of not less rival Importance in
war than in peace. Believing that the
views here expressed are those of the Con-
vention and the people you represent, l
accept the nomination. [ realize the
weight of the responsibility to be borne,
should the people ratify your choice.
Concious of my own weakness, L can
only seek fervently the guidance of the
Ruler of the Universe, and, relying on
His all-powerful aid, do my best to restore
union and peace to a suffering people, and
to establish and guard their liberties and
rights. Ea
[ am, Gentlemen, very respectfully,
your obedient servant, n
GEO. B MCCLELLAN
81 on. HoRATIo SEYMOUR and others, com
mittee.