Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-15
McClellan's Platform.
eFi ORANGE. NEW Jersey. Sept


GENTLEMEN: have the honor TO acknowledge th,
receipt Of your letter informing me Of my nOmina
ton BY the Democratic National Convention, recent
ly assembled at Chicago, as their candidate at the
next election for President of the United States.
is unnecessary for me to say to you that the
nomination % comes & to me =, =, unsGSughtSi SOL + ;.;
made the record Of my public life was kept in view
The effect of long and varied vice in the army,
nS SeoS 70 Ss oSs
reverence for the Constitution, laws and flag Of our
country impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus far guided the course Gf
my life, 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-
BE with the peace, the power. and the happiness Of
The preservation Of our Union was the sole avowed
object for which the war was commenced. ltshOuld
have been conducted for that object only, and in
accordance with those principles which took occa-
sion TO declare whenin active service. -1r..
Thus conducted, the work Of reconciliation would
have been easy, and we might have reaped the bene
ut Of our many victories on land and sea:
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
Of spirit Of concilatiOn and compromise. To re-
store and preserve it. the same spirit must prevail in
our councils, and in the hearts of the people.
The re-establshment Ofthe Union IN all its integ-
rity is, and must continue to be- the indispensable
condition in any settlement. SO soon as 1t is clear.
or even probable, that our present adversares are
ready for peace, upon the basis Of tie union we
should exhaust all the resources Of statesmanship
praeticed 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, e-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.
Let me add what l doubt not was, although unexS
pressed the sentiment Of the Convention, as It Of
the people they represents that when any one State
Ia willing 10 return TO tine Union 1t should be receiv
ed once with full guarantee Of all its cOnStitu-
III frank earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ute-
arms against the Union. But the Union must be
fcouid not look in the fa,e 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
brethTen had been in vain: that we had abandoned
that Union for which we have so often periled our
vast majority of our people, whether in the army
and navy or at home. would. as l would, hail with
on the basis of the Union under the Constitution,
without the efusion Of another drop Of blood. But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
tonsof the convention. need only say that should
seek in the Constitution OF the United States. and
the laws framed in accordance Herewith the rule Of
my duty, and the limitations Of executive power;
endeayort restore economy In public expenditure,
re-estabish the supremacy Of law and by the asser-
ton OF more vigorous nationality resume our
Commanding position among the nations OF the
The condition of our finances the depreciation of
ON sSor snd csps lu show the necessity cf RETURN
to sound financial system; whilst the rights OF cit-
zens and the rights Of states, and the binding au-
thority OF law President, army and people, are
subjsstsof not less vital Importance in war than in
Bsevins that the views here expressed are those
of the convention and the people you represent.
T realize die weight OF the responsibility TO be
borne should the people ratify your choice. :,
fervently the Guidance of the Ruler of the Uni