Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-17
NIcClcilan,s Platform.


GKNTLENEN: have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter informing me of my nomina-
tion by tho DEMOCRATIC National Convention, recent
next election for President Of the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to you that the
nomination comes to me uns0ught
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,
make indellibe in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and flag of
cO%%pptry impressed upon me in early youth.
mylife, and must continue to do so to its end.
The existence Of more than one government over
the region which once owned our flag is incompati-
BILE with the peace, the power and the happiness of
The preservation of our Union was the sole ayowed
object for which the war was commenced. 1t 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 bene-
ftof our many victories on land and sea;
The U Union was originally formed by the exercise
OF spirit Of Cancellation and compromise. 10 re-
store and preserve it, the spirit must prevail in
TSs IN al ner
rity is and must continue to be, the indispensable
condition in any settlement. SO soon as it is clear,
or even probable that our present adversaries
ready for peace, upon the basis of tie Union, we
should exhaust all the resources of craftsmanship
practiced by civilized nations and taught by the
traditions of the American people, consistent with
the honor and interests of the country, to secure
such peace. 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. tE'
Let me add what doubt not was, although unex-
pressed the sentiment of the Convention, rs is of
the people they represent, that when any one State
is willing to return to tine Union, 1T should be receiv
ed at once, with full guarantee of all its consttu-
Ta frank, earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ulte
arms against the Union. But the Union must be
preserved at all hazards.
i could not look in the face my gallant comrades
OF the 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
that Union for which we have SO often periled our
lives.
vast majority of our people, whether in tho army
unbounded Joy the permanent restoration Of peace.
on the basis Of the Union under the Constitution,
without the eusSn Of snGRsT dTpP Of blood But
AS to the other subjects presented in the resolu-
tons Of the convention need only say that should
the laws framed in accordance Herewith the rule Of
my duty, and the limitations Of executive power;
endeavor to restore economy IN public expenditure,
tQn Of a more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations Of the
The condition Of our finances, the depreciation of
the paper money, and the burdens thereby imposed
on labor and capital. show the necessity Of return
to sound financial system; whilst the rights OF cit-
zens and the rights of states, and the binding
thofity Of lAwove President army, and people,
subjectso Of notless vital Importance in war than in
peace. ...
Believing that the views here expressed are those
Of the convention and the people you representa-
accept the nomination. ~. fn4 Qanf.H
IL realize the weight Of the responsibility to be
borne should the people ratfy your choice.
Conscious of my own weakness, i can only seek
fervently the guidance Of the Ruler Of the Uni
verse, and, relying His all powerful aid, do my
best TO restore Union and peace to suffering peo-
pie, and establish and guard their Liberties and
rights. ~
am. gentlemen, very respectfully.
q 81 81 AlAe Your obedient servant,
GEORGE Ii. MCCLELLAN.
Hon. Horatio Seymour. and others, committee.