Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-09-16
NIcCIeIIan,s Platform.

GENTLEMEN: have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter informing me Of my nomiDa-
tion by the Demoeratic National Convention, recent
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 uns0ught 10
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 service in the army,
make indellible in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and nag OF our
country impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus lar guided the course df
my life, and 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.
BILE with the peace the power and the happiness OF
the people. rte
The preservation of our Union was the sole ayowed
object for which the war M was tbst
accordance with those principles which took occa-
sion to declare when in active service.
have been easy and we might have reaped the bene-
fit Of our many victories on land and sea;
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
store and preserve IT, the spirit must prevail in
our councils, and in the hearts Of the people.
The establishment ofthe Union in all its integ-
rity is and must continue to be, the indispensable
condition in any settlement. So soon as 1t is clear.
even probable, that our present adversaries arc
ready for peace. upon % the basis Of tie Union. We
practiced by civilized nations, and taught BY the
traditions Of the American people. consistent with
spch pesSe the 6nOn and
for the future the constitutional rights OF every
State. The Union is the one condition Of peace
we ask no more: r.rrI
Let me add what | doubt not was although unex-
pressed the sentiment Of the Convention, as it is Of
the people they represent, that when any one State
is willing to return to the Union, it should be receiv
ed at once, with full guarantee Of all its constitu-
If a 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.
Of the army and navy who have survived so many
bloody battles, and tell them that their abors and
the sacrifice S 50 many OF 9Ss slain % sdd
that Union for which we have so often periled our
lives. lr
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 efusion Of another drop Of blood. But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in the resolu-
tions 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, and the limitations OF executive power:
endeavOr to restore economy in public expenditure.
reestablsh the supremacy of law, and, by the asser
ton of more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations OF the
earth. So. .-v...gg "a .srs
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 cit-
zens and the rights Of states, and the binding
thority Of law over President, army, and people, are
subjects Of not less vital Importance in war than in
peace.
Believing that the views here expressed are those
of the convention and tho 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 sock
fervently the guidance Of the Ruler Of the Uni-
an1 Ix,s fxtI ~ 1fa
best to restore Union and peace to suffering peo-
pie, and establish and guard their liberties and
rights. i''t - t't''doiNe
~ Lam. gentlemen, very respectfully, - ~
Your obedent servant,
pig 90 A r.j GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN.i
Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others, committee.