East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-09-14
GENERAL M'cLELLAN's LETTER OF ACCEPT.
ANnR


ORANGE, n. j., Sept. 8, 1864.
Gentlemen-I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of ysur let
ter, informing me of my nomination
by tho Democratic National Conven-
ton, recently 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 that this nomination comes to me
unsought.
am happy to know that when the
nomination was made, record OF my
public life was kept in view.
The effect Of long and varied ser
vice in the army, during war and
peace, has been to strengthen and
mako indelible i'll my heart the love
and reverence for the Union, Consti-
tuition, laws and flag of our country,
impressed on me in early youth.
These feelings have thus far guided
the course Of my life, and must con-
tinue to do SO to its end.
The existence of more than one
government over the region that once
owned our flag is incompatible with
the peace, the power and the happi-
ness Of the people.
The preservation of our Union was
the sole avowed object for which the
war was commenced. 1t should have
boon conducted for that object only,
and in accordance with those princi-
pies which / took occasion to declare
when in active service.
Thus conducted, the work Of recon-
struction would have been easy, and
we might have reaped the benefits of
our many victories on land and sea.
The Union was originally formed
by a spirit of Cancellation and COM
promise. To restore il the same spirit
must prevail in our councils and in
the hearts Of tho people.
The establishment Of the Union
in all its integrity is, and must contin-
ue to be, the indispensable condition in
any settlement SO soon as it is clear,
or even probable, that our present adj
versaries are ready for peace upon the
basis of the Union, we should exhaust
all the resources of craftsmanship
practiced by civilized nations, and
taught by the traditions of the Amer
lean people, consistent with the honor
md interests Of the country, 10 secure
such peace, re-establish the Union
and guarantee for the future the con-
situtional rights of every State. The
Union is the one condition Of peace
we ask no more.
Lot mo add, what I doubt not was,
although unexpressed, tho sentiment
Of the onyention as it is of the people
they represent, that when any one
State is willing to return TO the Union
it should be received at once, with Il
full guarantee Of all its constitutional
rights.
If frank, earnest and persistent
effort TO obtain those objects should
fail, the responsibility for the Interior
consequences will fall upon those who
remain inarms against the Union
But tho Union must be preserved at
oil hazards.
could not look into 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 80 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, hail with
unbounded Joy, the permanent resto-
ration Of peace, on the basis of the
Union and tho Constitution, without
the elfusIon of another drop of blood.
Butno peace can be permanent with
out Union.
As to the other subjects presented
in the resolutions 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; en-
deavor to restore economy in public
expenditure, re-establish the supreme
cy of law, and by the operation of
more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the ma
tons of the earth.
The condition Of our finances, the
depression Of our paper money, and