Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-09
GENERAL Me6LELLAN'S LETTER OF
ACCEPTANCE

NEW YORK, Sept 9.
The following is General McCleIlan's
letter accepting the Democrats nomina-
ton for President:
ORANGE, N. J., Sept. 8.
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt of your letter in
forming me Of my nomination by the
Democratic National Convention, recently
assembled at Chicago, as their candidate at
the next election for President of the Uni
ted States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to you
that this nomination comes to me unsought
l am happy to know that when the nomi-
nation was made the record of nv
public life was kept in view. The effect
of long and varied service in arms, during
war or11peace, sshas been to strengthen and
make indellible in my mind and heart
the love and revel ence for the Union, Con-
stftution, laws and flag of our Country
impressed upon me in early youth. These
feelings have thus far guided the course
OF my life, and must continue TO do so un-
til 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 |
commenced. 1t should have been
conducted for that object only |
and in accordance with those
principles which I took occa-
sion to declare, when in active service; thus
conducted, the work of reconciliation would
have been easy, and we might have reap
ed the benefits of our many victories on
land and sea. The Union was originally
formed for the exercise of spirit of con-
clliation and compromise, to restore
and preserve it, the same spirit
must prevail in our councils and hearts of
the people, the re-establishment of the
Union and all in its integrity, must con- {
tinue to be the indivisible condition in any !
settlement. So soon as it is clear or even j
probable that our present adverssries are {
ready for Peace on the basis of ]
Union, we should exhaust
all the sources of craftsmanship, practiced {
by the civilized nations, and taught by the Z
traditions of the American people, con- l
sistent of the honor and interest OF the {
country, because such peace re-establish the
Union and guarantee for the future the I
constitutional rights of every State I
The Union is the one condition of peace I
we ask, no more. Let me add, which I
loubt not was, although unexpressed, the s
sentiment of the Convention, as it was Of t
,he people: they represent that when any 8
1ne State is willing TO return to 8
he Union, it should be received at /
,nce, with full guarantee of ali its con- d
litutional rights. If frank, earnest, and t
prudent person should try to obtain these i
objects, and should fail, the responsibility a
or the ultimate consequences will fall 0
lpon those who remain in array against a
he Union. But the Union must be pre-
erved at all hazards. I
could not look in the facs h
f my gallant comrades of the army, and t
lavy who have survived so many bloody
,attles, and tell them that their labors
nd the sacrifice of so many Of our slain
nd wounded brethren has been in vair,
hat we had abandoned that Union for Il
which we have so often periled our lives b
vast majority of our people
Ehether in the Army or Navy, or at home, b
Tould hail with unbounded joy the per- p
lament restoration of peace on the basis of
be Union under the Constitution without
be efusion Of another drop of blood. But
10 peace can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in the Y
l need only say that should b
eek in the Constitution Of the Uniied o
tates and the laws framed in accordance n
herewith, the rule of my duty and the
limitations of executive power; endeavor
0 restore economy in the public expendi-
ures, re-establish the supremacy of law,
nd by the operations of more vigorous t
ationality, resume our commanding posi- Il
ion among the nations of the earth. Il
The condition of our finances, the de- f
'reciation Of the paper money, and the
urdens thereby imposed on labor and v
apital, show the necessity of areturn to
ound system; while right of the citizen, a
nd the rights of the binding authority of f
aw over the President the army, and the a
,eople, are subjects of not less vital
Importance in war than in peace.
Believing that the views here ex-
,ressed are those of the people you repre-
ent, accept the nomination.
1 realize the weight and responsibility to
,e borne should the people ratify your '
hoice Conscious of my own weakness 1
an only seek fervently the guidance of the
Ruler of the Universe, and relying I
N all powerful aid to do my best to re-
tore Union and Peace to suffering peo-
pie, and to establish and guard their lib
,rties and rights.
L am, sir, your obdt servant,
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN
To Honorable Horatio Seymour and 9TH
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