Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-19
mcClellan,s platform.
ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, Sept.

ORANGE. New JERSEY, Sept. 8.
GENTLEMEN ] have the honor to acknowledge tn,
receipt u your letter Informing me Of my nomina
ton by the Democratic National Convention, recent
ly assembled at Chicago, as their candidate the
next election for President Of the United States.
1t Is unnecessary for me to say to you that the
nomination comes 10 me unsOught.
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 Sc vice 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
country impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus lar 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 s incOmpati-
BILE with the peace. the power and the happiness Of
the people.
The preservation of our L non was the sole ayowed
object for which the war was commenced. Ii should
have been conducted for that object only. and in
accordance with those principles which took occa-
eion 10 declare when in active service.
Thus conducted, the work Of reconciliation would
have been easy and we might have reaped the bene-
bt Of our many victories on land and sea.
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
OF spirit Of c0nciliati0n and compromise. To re-
store and preserve it, the spirit must prevail in
our councils, and in the hearts Of the people.
The establishment Ofthe Union in al its integ
rity is. and must continue TO be- the indispensable
condition in any settlement. So soon as il 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 statesmanship
practlced by civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions Of the American people consistent with
the honur and 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.
pressed the sentiment of the Convention vs. it is Of
the people they represent, that when any one state
10 willing to return To the Union IT should be receiy
ed at once, with full guarantee OF all its cOnstitu
tiQnal rights.
II frank earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ute
iior consequences will fall upon those who remain in
arms against the Union. But the Union must be
preserved at all hazards.
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 abors and
the sacrifice Of SO many OF our slain and wounded
that Union for which We have so often periled our
lives.
A vast majority 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 effusion Of another drop Of blood. But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
As 10 the other subjects presented in tho resolu-
tions Of 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
endeavoT to restore economy in public expenditure,
re-establish the supremacy OF law and, by the asser
ton of q 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
20 sound financial system; whilst tine rights OF cti-
sens and the rights of states, and the binding
thority Of law over President army. and people, are
subjects Of not less vital Importance in war than in
peace.
Believing that the views here expressed are those
Of the convention and tho people you represent,
accept the nomination.
| realize the weight Of the responsibility to be
borne should the people ratify your choice.
Conscious of my own weakness, i can only seek
verse, and. relying on His all powerful aid, do my
best to restore Onion and peace to suffering peo-
pie, and establish and guard their liberties and
/ am. gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your Obedient servant
~. =. GEORGE Il. McCLELLAN.