The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1864-09-15
GEN. MCCLELLAN'S LETTE X
OF ACCEPTANCE.
OTANGE, New JERs Ely,
September 9th, 1854.

september SIN, 1904.
GENTLEMEN / have the honor TO
acknowledge the receipt of your
letter Informing me of my nomin
alton by the Democratic National
Convention, recently assembled at
Chicago, as their candidate at the
next election for President of the
United Stutes.
1t Is unnecessary for me to say
TO yon that this nomination comes
to me unsought.
am happy to know that when
the nomination was made, the rec
ord 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 indelibIe in my mind and
heart the love and reverence for
the Union, Constitution, laws, ard
fig of our country, impressed up'
on ME in early youth.
These feelings have thus far
guided the course OF 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-
BILE with the peace, the power, and
the happiness of the people
The preservation Of our Union
t VAS the sole avowed object for
which the war was commenced. 1t
should have been conducted for
that object only, and in accordance
y with these principles which | took
e occasion TO declare when in active
oI service.
r. Thus conducted. the work of re-
u Cancellation would have been cay.
= and we night have r, o red the
benefits OF oar many victories on
n land and e IL
The Union was originally formed
by the exercise of a spirit of con.
ciliution aud compromise. To rel
II store and preserved it, the same spi
r. rit must prevail in our councils
and in the hearts Of the people.
The establishment of the Uni
IL on in all its integrity IL, and mus
nj continue 20 be, the Indispensable
y, condition in any settlement. 81
ID soon as j. is clear, or even probable
that our present adversaries arr
" ready for peace, upon the basis o
10 the Union, we Should exhaust i
the resources OF craftsmanship
practised by civilized nations. ant
taught by the traditions Of the A
in merican people, consistent with thu
honor and interests OF the country
y to s"rnre such peace, re establish
&" the Union, and guarantee ter th
he future the constitutional rights /
ay every state. The Union is the on
ID. condition Of pcace-we ask II
more.
Let me add what I doubt nc
he was. although unexpressed, I'll
Of sentiment Of the convention, as
nd is ct the people they represen
that when any n STATE is willin
- to return to the Union, it shoul
ay be received at once, with a flu
ST. guarantee of all its constitution,
re- rights
M. If a frank. earnest, and por-i4
- emf effort should tail, the repons
y" bility for ulterior conseq FENCES wi
Tor fall upon those who remain
Md arms against the Union. But tn
ion Union must be preserved at 6
hazards
] could not look in the face nj
gallant comrades of the army al
navy, who have survived so maj
has bloody battles, and tell them tn
ara their labors and the sacrifice of
many OF our slain and wound
n' brethren had been in vain I'll
nds we have abandoned that for viii
one we have so often periled III liv'
\ vast majority of our Peep
,oro whether n the army and navy,
at home, would. as l would, b
the with unbouirded joy the permane
hat restoration of peace, on the ba
bed of the Union under the Consti1
ten, without the effusion of ano'
err drop of blood. But no pea
Win can be permanent without Unto.
luse AS to the ether subjects presel
I'M. ed in the resolutions ofthe convC
,ons ton, l need only say that | shou
seek, in the Constitution of
not United States. and the laws fran
ken in accordance Herewith, the r
race Vt my duty and the limitations
fore executive power +; endcavor to
:. store economy in public exlei
''eal ture, re establish the Supremacy
y of law, aud, by the operation o
more vigorous nationality. resu
our commanding position amc
the nations of the earth.
.nti- The condition Of our fnan'
NIT. the depreciation of the payer !
ney, and the burdens therby
oS"' posed OH labor and capital, ell
,hus tie necessity OF a return to u Sol
orty finan cial system ; while the rig