Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-10-27
General MCCIeIIan'S Letter of
ACCe DtanCe
ORANGE, NEW JERSEY Sent g ,ss.

| ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, Sept. g, 1864
| GENTLEMEN: i have the honor to acknowl
edge the receipt Of your letter informing me 0
my nomination by the Democratic Nationa
Convention, recently assembled at Chicago, a.
| their candidate at the next election for Presi.
dent uf the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me To say to you tha,
the nomination comes TO me unSought
| | am happy 10 know that when the nomina-
ton was made the record OF my public life was
kept in view.
The effect OF long and varied service in the ar
my during war and peace, has been to strength
en- ana make lndeIllble IN my mind and heart
the love and reverence for the Constitution
laws, and nag OF our country impressed upon
These feelings have thus far guided the course
of my life, and must continue to do TO its end
The existence of more than one government
over the region which once owned our flag is
incompatible with the peace, the power and The
happiness OF the people.
The preservation Of our Union was the sole
avowed object for which the war was commen-
ccd. II should have been conducted for that OBJ
lect only, and in accordance with those princi-
pies which took occasion TO declare when in
active service.
Thus conducted, the work of reconciliation
would have been easy, and we might have reap
ed the benefit OF our many Victories on land
and sea.
The Union was originally formed BY the e1er.
else OF q spirit OF conciliation and compromise
To restore and preserve il, the same spirit must
! people
Tie re-establishment of the Union in all its
integrity is, and must continue to be- the indis-
pensable condition in any settlement. SO soon
as 1t Is clear, or even probable that present
Ia d.
OF the Union, we should exhaust all the resour-
ces OF statesmanship practiced by civilized ma
tions, and taught by the traditions of the Amer
lean people consistent with the honor and in
tere>ts of the country, to secure such peace re-
establish the Union, and guarantee for the fu-
turc the constitutional rights OF every state.
The Union is the one condition of peace-we ask
Let me add what doubt not was although
uneXpressed, the sentiment OF the Convention
as il Is OF the people they represent, that when
any one state is willing to return TO the Union,
Sh he ed Il %. wit ftr1I
antee OF all its constitutional rights.
Ifa frank, earnest and persistent effort to OBJ
for ulterior 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 of my gallant com.
rades of the army and navy who have survived
so many bloody battles, and tell them that their
iabors and the sacrifices 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.
4 vast majority OF our people whether in the
army and navy or at home, would, as would,
alton alto OF Of peace on the basis Of the Union under
the Constitution, without the effusion of anoth-
er drop of blood. But no peace can be perma-
As to the other subjects presented in the res
olutions OF the convention, need only say that
should seek in the Constitution of the United
States. and the laws framed in accordance there
with, the rule of my duty and the limitations
my in public expenditure, re-establish the
prenacy oflaw, and, by the assertion of a more
vigorous nationality, resume our commanding
position among the nations ofthe earth.
. The condition OF our finances, the deprecia-
ton of the paper money, and the burdens there
by imposed on labor and capital, show the me-
ctssity OF a return 10 sound financial system !;
whilst the rights OF citizens and the rights OF
states and the binding authority OF law over
President. army, and people are subjects of not
less vital Importance III war than in peace.
Believing that the views here expressed arc
those OF the convention and the people you rep
resent, accept the nomination.
realize the weight OF the responsibility 10 be
hnr Shn a nfn "A M af ffin
Conscious of my own weakness, can only
seek ferventiy the guidance Of the Ruler OF the
Universe. and, relying on His al powerful aid
fering people, and establish and guard their lib
critics and rights.
Your obedient servant
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN,
Uon Borntlo Seymour, and others, Com