Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-18
mcclellan. platform.
ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, Sept. 8.


GENTLEMEN: | have the honor to acknowledge tn,
receipt Of your letter informing me If my nomina
tion by the Democratic National Convention, rec ent
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 that the
nomination comes to me unsOught.
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 Sc vice in the army,
during war and peace, has been to strengthen and
make indellible in my mind and heart the love aud
for the Constitution, laws and flag Of our
country impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus Tar guided the course of
my life, aud 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-
bic with the peace, the power. and the happiness of
The preservation of our Z Union was the sole ayowed
object for which the war was commenced. 1t should
have been conducted for that object only. and in
accordance with those principles which took Occa-
sion to declare when in active service.
Thus conducted, the work Of reconciliation would
hayo been easy, and might have reaped the bene-
ut OF our many victories on land and sea.
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
Of 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 re-establishment ofthe Union in all its integ-
rity Is, and must continue to be. the indispensable
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 siatesmanship
practiced by civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions Of the American people, consistent with
the honar and interests Of the country to secure
such peace re- establish the Union, and guarantee
for the future the constitutional rights Of every
Staic. The Union is the one condition of peace
we ask no more.
Let me add what doubt not was, although unexcc
pressed, the sentiment of the Convention, is Of
the people they represent, that when any one State
Ia wiling TO return 10 the Union should be receiv-
cd at once with full guarantee of all its constitu-
II frank, earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibilities ute-
rior consequences will fall upon those who remain in
arms against the Union. But the Union must DO
preserved at all hazards.
j 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.
A vast majority Of our people, whether in the army
and navy or at home, would. as | would, hail with
unbounded JOY the permanent restoration Of peace
on the basis Of the Union under the Constitution,
without the effuson 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 thatl 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;
endeayor TO restore economy in public expenditure
re-esablsh the supremacy of law, and, by the asser
ton Of q more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations of the
elrfh.
The condition of our finances. the depreciation of
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 citi-
gems and the rights Of states, and the binding
thority of law over President, army, and people,
subjects Of not less vital Importance in war than in
peace.
Believing that the views here expressed are those
of the convention and the people you represent, /
accept the nomination.
realize the weight Of the responsibility to be
Conscious Of nv own weakness. can only seek
fervently the guidance Of the Ruler Of the Uni
verse. and, relying on His all powerful aid. do my
best to restore Union and peace to suffering peo-
pie, and establish and guard their .iberties and
rights.
am. gentlemen, very respectfully,
.a-..-a-@---- Your obedient servant,
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN.
Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others, committee.