Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-10-29
Mcclellan. Platform.
ORANGE. NEW JERsEY. S

ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, Sept. 8.
GENTLEMEN: 1 have the honor to acknowledge the
tion by the Democratic National Convention, recent
ly assembled t Chicago. as their candidate at the
next election for President OF the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to you that the
nomination comes to me unsought.
i am happy to know that when the nomination was
The effect Of long and varied service in the army
during war and peace, has been 70 strengthen and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and flag Of
country impressed upon me in early youth.
Thesefeelings have thus far guided the course d
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 preservation of our Union was the sole ayowed
object for which the war was commenced. IL should
accordsnco with those princpies wkch tock occa
sion TO declare when in active service.
Thus conducted the work Of reconciliation would
have been easy, and we might have reaped the bene-
ft Of our many victories on land and sea.
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
Of q spirit Of conciliation and compromise. To re-
store and preserve it. the same spirit must prevail in
our councils, and in the hearts Of the people.
The establishment of the Union in all its integ
condition in any settlement So soon as it is clear
or even probable that our present adversaries are
ready for peace, upon the basis OF tie Union, we
should exhaust all the resources of statesmanshp
practced BY civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions Of the American people consistent with
interests ry,UO
such peace, re-estabiish the Union. and guarantee
for the future the constitutional rights Of every
State. The Union is the one condition of peace
Let me add what doubt not was although unex-
pressed the sentiment Of the Convention, as it is of
the people they represent that when any one State
is willing TO return to the Union should be receiv
ed at once, with full guarantee Of all its consttu-
Ia franh earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ulte
arms AGAINST the Union. But the Union must be
could not look in the face my gallant comrades
Of the army aud navy who have survived so many
the sacrifice of SO many Of our slain and wounded
brethren had been in vain; that we had abandoned
that Union forwhich we have SO often periled our
vast majority Of our people, whether in the army
and navy or at home, would. as would, hail with
on the basis u the Union under the Constitution,
without the efusion Of another drop of blood. But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
tions Of the convention need only that should
seek in the Constitution OF the United states. and
the laws framed in accordance therewth the rule Of
my duty, and the limitations of executive power;
endeavor TO restore economy in public expenditure,
re-estabish the supremacy of law and by the assor-
tion of q. more vigorous nationality resume our
commanding position among the nations Of the
The condition Of our finances tho depreciation Of
the paper money, and the burdens thereby imposed
labor and capital, show the necessity Of return
to sound financial system whilst the rights Of citi-
sens and the rights Of states, and the binding au-
thorty Of law over President, army and people. are
subjects Of mot less vital Importance in war than in
Of hs convention and t6o people you represent.
/ realize tho weight Of the responsibility to be
Conscious on % of my own weakness, can only seek
fcrvently the guidance Of tho Ruler Of the Uni-
verse and relying on HIS ~ al powerful sid, 90 my