Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-09-16

ORANGE, N. j., Sept. S.-Gentlenen: ! have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your let
ter informing me OF my nomination by the Dem
ocratic National Convention, recently assembled
at Chicago, as their candidate at the next cleo
| ton for President of the United States. It's
unnecessary for me to say that this nomination
to me is unexpected. / 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 in
deliable in my mind and heart, the love and rev.
erence for the Union, Constitution, laws and flag
Ofour country impressed upon me in my early
youth. These feelings have thus far guided the
course of my life, and must continue to do so
until its end. The existence of more than one
Government over the region which once owned
our flag is incompatible with the peace, the pow
er and happiness of the people. The preserva-
tion of the Union was the sole avowed object for
which the war was commenced. 1t should have
been conducted for that object only, and in ac-
cordance with those principles which l took oc-
casIon to declare when in active service Thus
conducted the work ofrecohciliation would have
been easy, and We might have reaped the bene-
fits of our many victoreso on land and sea. The
Union was originally formed by the exercise of
spirit ofconcihation and compromise. Tore
store and preserve it, the same spirit must pre-
Nl Ia our COuCllS anu IN J0e nedfbSOl the people.
The re-establshment ofthe Union in ali its in
tegrity is, and must continue to be- the indis
pensible condition in any settlement. So soon
as it is clear or even probable that our present
adversarys are ready for peace upon the basis
of the Union, we should exhaust all the resour-
ces of statemanship practiced by civilized ma
tions and taught by, the traditions of the Amer
ican people, consistent with the honor and inter-
ests OF the country, to secure such peace. re-es-
tablisb the Union, and guarantee for the future
the constitutional rights of every State The
Union is the one condition of peace; we ask DO
more. Let me add what doubt not was, al
though unexpressed, the sentiment of the Con-
vention, as is OF the people. They represent
that when any State is willing to return to the
Union it should be received at once. With full
guarantee of all the Constitutional rights of
4 frank, earnest and persistent effort To obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for
ulterior 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 of 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 brethren had been in vain, that we
had abandoned that Union for which we had
so often periled our lives. A vast majority of
our people, whether in the army and navy, or at
home would as would bail with unbounded
joy, the permanent restoration of peace, on the
basis of the Union under the Constitution with
out the effusiOn of another drop of blood But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in the the
resolutions of the Convention, l 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 limita-
tion of Executive Power, endeavor to restore
economy in public expenditure, necessitate the
supremacy of law, and by the operation of a
more vigorous nationality, resume our command
ing position among the nations of the earth-
The condition of our finances, the depreciation
of the paper money, and the burdens thereby
impaired on labor and capital, show the necessi-
tY of return to asound financial systemn while
the right of citizens, and the rights of States,
and the binding authority of law over the Pres
ident army and people, are subjects of not less
vital Importance in war than ia peace. Believ-
ing that the views here expressed are those of
the Convention and the people you represent
accept the nomination. L realize the weight of
the responsibility to be borne shouldIthe people
ratify your choice Conscious Ofrny own weak
ness can only seek fervently the guidance of
the Ruler of the Universe, and relying on his
aid, do my duty to restore Union
and peace to suffering people, and to establish
and guard their liberties and rights
L am, gentleman, your obedient servant,
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.
Hon Horafio Cavuoo,r