The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-14

Convention recently assembled at Chicago, as
their candidate at the next election for Presi-
dent of the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to soy to you that
this nomination comes to me unsOught. 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 during the war and peace has been
to strengthen and make indelible in my mind
and heart the love and reverence of the Union,
Constitution, laws, and flag of our country inn
pressed upon me in early youth. These feel
ings have thus far guided the course of my life
and must continue to do so until 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 preservation
of our Union was the all avowed object for
which the war was commenced. 1t should
have been conducted for that object only, and
in accordance with views which took occasion
to declare when in active services Thus con-
Quoted the work of reconciliation would have
been easy, and we might have reaped the ben.
efits of our many victories on land and sea.
The Union was originally formed by the ex-
ercise of o spirit of Cancellation and compro-
mise. To restore and preserve it, the same
spirit must prevail in our councils and In the
hearts of the people. The re.establishment of
the Union in all its integrity is and must con-
tinue to be the indispensable condition in any
settlement. SO soon as it is clear or even prob
able that our present adversaries are ready for
peace upon the basis of the Union we should
exhaust all the resources OF craftsmanship prac-
ticed by civilized nations and taught by the
traditions of the American people, consistent
with the honor and interests of the country, to
secure 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. We ask no more.
Let me add, what doubt not was, although
unexpressed, the sentiment of the convention
as it is of the people they represented, that
when any one State is willing to return to the
Union 1t should be received at once with full
guarantee of all its constitutional rights.
If a frank, earnest and persistent effort to OBJ
tain these objects should fall the responsibility
for Interior consequences win fall upon those
who remain in arms against the Union; but
the Union must be preserved at oil hazards.
could not look in the face of my gallant
comrades of the army and navy, who have sun
vived 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 perilled our lives. A
vast majority OF our people, whether in the
army and navy or at home, would hail as
would hail with unbounded joy, the permanent
restoration of peace on the basis of the Union
under the constitution. without the effusion of
another drop of blood-but no peace can be
permanent without union.
As to the other subjects presented in the re-
solution of the Convention, can only say
should seek in the Constitution of the United
States and the laws framed in accordance
Herewith, the rule of my duty and the limita-
ton of executive power, endeavor to restore
economy in public expenditure, re-establish
the supremacy of law, and by the operation of
q more vigorous nationality, resume our COM
manding position among the nations of the
earth.
The condition of our finances, the deprecia-
ton of the paper money and the burdens there
byimposed on labor and capital, show the ne
cessity of return to sound financial system
while the rights OF citizens and the rights of
states, and the binding authority 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 the people you
represent, accept the nomination.
Irealize the weight of the responsibility to
be borne should the people ratify your choice
Conscious OF my own weakness, l can only
seek fervently the guidance of the Ruler of the
Universe, and relying on His all powerful aid
l shall do my best to restore the Union and
peace to suffering people and to establish and
guard their liberties and rights.
| am, gentlemen, very respectfully your
Obedient servant.
GEORGE r MCCLELLAN