Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-10-05
mcCleIlan,s Platform.
ORANGE. New JERSEY. Sept. 8.

ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, Sept. 8.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to acknowledge the
ton by the Democratic National Convention, recent
ly assembled at Chicago as their candidate at the
next election for President of the United states.
1t is unnecessary for me to say TO you tnat inc
nomination comes to me unsought.
am happy to know that when the nomination was
made the record of my public life was kept in v1ew
The effect of long and varied SO, vice in the army,
during war and peace, has been to strengthen and
make indellble in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and nag OF our
country impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus lar guided the course of
mylife and must continue to do so to IT'S end.
g The existence of more than one government over
the region which once owned our nag Is lnconpa'lc
bic 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. should
have been conducted for that object only, and IN
accordance with those principles whlch 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 pene
fit of our many victories on land and sea;
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
of a spirit of cOnciGation and compromise 10 re-
store and preserve it, the same spirit must prevail IN
our councils and in the hearts of the people.
The re- establishment Of the Union in all its integ-
rty is, and must continue to DC, the indispensable
condition in any settlement. So soon as 1t Is clear,
or even probable, that our present adveTsarles are
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 win
the honor and interests of the country, 10 secure
such peace re-establish the Union, and guarantee
for the future the constitutional rights OF every
State. The Union is the one condition oil peace
Let me add what doubt not was, although unex--
pressed the sentiment of the Conyenton, as it Is Of
the people they represent, that when any one state
is willing to return to the Union, it should be recev-
ea at once, with full guarantee OF all It's constltu-
. tional rights IL.
those objects should fail the responsibility for ulte-
rior 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 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 have so often periled our
lives. , Il
and navy or at home, would. Ms would, hail with
unbounded joy the permanent restoration OF peace,
on the basis OF the Union under the Constitution,
without the etusion of another drop of blood. But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in the resolu,
tons of the convention need only say that fshould
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;
endeayor to restore economy in public expenditure,
reestabsh the suprcmacyo OF law, and, by the asser-
tion of a more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations OF the
earth ,....
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 cii-
zens and the rights of states and the binding au-
thority of law over President, army and people, are
subjects of not less vital Importance in war than IN
|. peace. '-.i'i-l
Believing that the views here expressed are those
l of the convention and tho people you represent, L
accept the nomination. go :.
borne should the people ratify your choice. II
Conscious of my own weakness, can only seek
fervcntly the guidance Of the Ruler Of tho Uni
verse, aud, relying on His all powerful aid do my
best to restore Union and peace to suffering peo,
pie, and establish and guard their Liberties and
rights. ~
! II am. gentlemen, very respectfully, i,ll' r,.
Your obedfent servant,
- a.t- GEORGE b. M0CLELL AN. lD
Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others, committees.