The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-09-16
Letter OF Acceptance.

NA'H-''i ~ vs. ~ ~ ~ AOOh'
Gentlemen: | have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter,
informing me of my nomination by
the democratic national convention,
recently assembled at Chicago, as their
candidate ut the next election for
president of the United States 1t is
unnecessary for me to say to you that
this nomination comes to rue I'M
sought.
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 services in
the army, during war and peace, has
been to strengthen and make indelible
i'll my mind and heart the love and
reverence of the Union, constitution,
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 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 preser-
walton of our Union was the sole
ayowed object for which the war was
commenced 1t should have been con
Quoted for that object only, and in ac-
cordance with those principles, which
| took occasion to declare when in ac-
tive service. Thus conducted the work
of cancellation would have been easy,
aud we might have reaped the benefits
of many victories on land and sea. The
Union was originally formed by the ex-
ercise of spirit of Cancellation and
compromise; to restore and preserve
it, the same spirit must prevail in our
councils, and in the hearts of the peo-
pie
The re-establshment Of the Union
in all its integrity is and must contin-
ne to be the indispensable condition in
any settlement SO soon as it is clear
or even probable that our present adj
ycrsaries are ready for peace, upon the
basis of the Union, we should exhaust
all theresources of craftsmanship prac-
Used by civilized nations, and taught
by the traditions of the American peo-
pie, consistent with the honor and in
terests Of the country, to secure such
peace, re-establish the Union, and
guarantee for the future the constitv-
tioual rights of every State. The
! Union Is the one condition of peace
We ask no more.
Let me add, what doubt not was,
although unexpressed, the sentiment
of the convention, as it is of the peo-
pie they represent, that when any one
state is willing to return to the Union,
it should be received at once, with
full guarantee of all its constitutional
rights.
Ii frank, earnest and persistent
effort to obtain these objects should
fail the responsibility for Interior con-
sequences viii fall upon those who re-
main in arms against the Union. But
the Union must be preserved at all
hazards
| could not look in the face of my
gallant comrades of the army and ma
Wy, who have survived so many bloody
battles, and tell them that their labors
and the sacrifice of so many slain and
wounded brethren, had been in vain;
that we had abandoned the Union, for
which we had so often perilled our
lives 4 vast majority of our people.
whether in the army and navy or at
home, would, as would, hail with I'M
bounded JOY the permanent restoration
of peace on the basis of the Union un-
der the Constitution, without the etfu-
sion of another drop Of blood; but no
peace can be permanent without
Union.
AS the other subjects presented in
the resolutions of the convention.
need only say that I should seek in the
constitution Of the United States and
the laws framed in accordance there
with the rule Of my duty and the linn
itatlons OF executive power, endeavor
to restore economy in the public ex-
penditure, re-establish the supremacy
OF law, and by the operation of n
more vigorous nationality resume our
commanding position among the ma
tons OF tie earth. The condition of
our finances, the depreciation of the
paper money, and the burdens there
by imposed on labor and capital, show
the necessity of return to sound
financial system; while the rights of
citizens and the rights of states. and
the binding authority of law over
over president, army, and people, are
subjects of not less vital importance in
war than in peace
Believing that the views here ex-
pressed are those of the convention
and the people you represent, | accept
the NOMINATION. l realize the weight
OF the responsibility to be borne should
the people ratify your choice. Con-
scious OF my own weakness, / can only
seek fervently the guidance of the Ru.
Ter OF the universe, and, relying on His
an-powerful aid, do my hest to restore
union and peace to suffering people
and to establish and guard their liber-
ties and rights, l am, gentlemen
very respectfully, your obedient SER
want, GEORGEB. MCCLELLAN
Hon, horatio Seymour and others
committee NNANAH