The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-09-14
Gen. MeCIslIan's Letter Of acceptance.

ln6 OhlcaSO nOmlnatlOn:
ORANGE, N. J Seprembers 8, 1864.
GENTLEMEs: have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter in
forming ne of my nomination by the DEM
~ocralic National Convention, recently as
sembfed at Chicago, as their candidate at
the next election for President of The Uniled
States.
II is unnecessary for me TO say to you that
this nomination comes to me unsought.
am happy to know that when the nomi.
nation was made the record of my public
life was kept in view.
The effect of long and varied service in
the ARMY Outing war and peace has been TO
strengthen and make indeIlibIe in my mind
aud heart, the love and reverence for the
Union, Constitution, laws and flag of our
county il impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus far guided the
course of my life, aud must continue 10 do
30 to its end.
The existence Of more than one Govern
ment 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
recommended, and it should have been con-
Quoted in accordance with those principles,
which | took occasion to declare when in
active service.
Thus conducted, the work of reconstruc-
ton would have been easy and we might
have reaped the benefit of our many victo-
| ries on land and ses.
The Union was originally formed by the
exercise Of a Bpirit of Cancellation and com
promise, and to restore and preserve it the
same spirit must prevail in our councils and
in the hearts of the people. The re>estab.
| Iishment of the Union in all its integrity is,
and must continue to be, The indispensable
condition in any settlement.
So soon as it is clear, or even probable,
that our present adversarieg are ready for
peace upon the basis of The Union, we
should exhibit all The resources OF states
manship practiced by civilized nations and
taught by the traditions of the American
people-consistent with the honor and in
tOhOShC - hhS OO6hlOO ACu p0dC0.
re- establish the Union and guarantee for the
future the conditional rights of every State.
The Union is the one condition of peace,
and we ask no more.
Lot me add what | doubt not was, eitho'
unexpressed, the sentiment of the Conven-
zion, as it is OF the people they represent /;
that when any one State is willing 10 return
to the Union, it should be received at once
with a full guarantee of all its Constitution
al rights. If a frank, earnest, and persis-
tent effort 10 obtain these objects should fail,
the responsibility for ~ultsrior consequences
will fall upon those who remain in arms
against the Union but the Union must be
preserved at all hazards.
/ could not look ID the face of nv pal.
liant comrades of the army and navy who
have fought in so many bloody battles, and
tell them that their Iabors and the sacrifice
of so many of our slain aud wounded broth.
rem had been in vain, that we had aban.
doned that Union for which we have so Of
len perllled our lives. A vast majority Of
our people, whether in the army or 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 effusion oil
another drop of blood but no peace can
be permanent without Union.
AS 10 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 avs framed
in accordance Herewith, the rule of my du
ty and the limitations of executive power
endesvor TO restore economy in public ex-
penditure, re.establish The supremacy OF
law and by the operation Of a more vigor-
Gus nationality, resume our commanding
position among the nations Of the earth.
The condition Of our finances, the deprs.
citation of the paper money, and the bur
dens thereby imposed on labor and capital
show the necessity Of a return TO a SOUND
financial system, while the rights of ~ci!izenl
and the rights of States, and the binding au
thority of law over the President, the army
and the people, are subjects of not less vi.
tai importance in war than in peace.
Believing that the views here expressed
are those of the Conv ention and the peo-
pie you represent, I accept the nomination
realiz re the weight of the responsibility to
be borne, should the people satisfy YOU
choice.
Conscious of my own weakness, ] can
only seek fervenuy the guidance Of tie
Ruler of the Universe ; and relying on His
~all-powerful aid do my best to restore Union
and peace to a suffering people, and SO es-
tablish and guard their Liberties and rights.
am, gentlemen,
Very respectfully,
Your oeedient servant,
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.