Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-04
mcClellan,. Platform.

ORANGE. New JERSEY, Sept 8.
GENTLEMEN: l have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt q your letter Informing me Of my nomina-
next election for President of the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to you that the
nomination comes to me unsOught.
Il am happy to know that when the nomination was
The cs long and varied Use the sw
make indellible in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and flag of
country impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus far guided the course Of
~ ors tbsn on 80
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 avowed
object for which the war was commenced. 1t should
have been conducted for that object only. and in
accordance with those principles which took 0cca
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 spirit Of concliation 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 h in any settlement. s. soon as Il 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 craftsmanship
practiced by civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions Of the American people. consistent with
",
such peace, re-establish 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
ns sy
ed at once with full guarantee Of all its constitu-
III frank earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ulte
rior 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 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.
vast majority of our people, whether in the army
and navy or at homo, would. as woud, hail with
S o me nare bs q
without the efusion of another drop of blood. But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in the resou-
tons 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, aud the limitations of executive power;
endeavor to restore economy public expenditure,
re-estabish the supremacy Of law and, by the asser
tion Of more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations of the
eT5h. ,...,.s
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
borne should the people ratify your choice.
Conscious of my 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 Liberties and
rights.
am. gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN.
Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others, committee.