Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-09-15
McCleIlan's Letter Of Accept
anCe,

| anCe.
New YoRK, Sept. S.-The following is
General McClellans letter accepting the
Democratic nomination for President.
ORANGE, N. D., Sept.
GENTLEMEN--I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter inform
ing rue of my nomination by the Democratic
National Convention, recently assembled at
Chicago, as their candidate at the next cleo
ton for President of the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to YOU
that this nomination comes to me uusought.
| am happy to know that when the nomi-
nation was made the record Of my public
life was kept in view The effect OF long
and varied service in the army, during war
and peace, has been to strengthen and make
indelible in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for 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 until the 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 IL
vowed object for which the war was com
menced. 1t should have been conducted
for that object only, and i'll accordance with
those principles which | took OCCASION to de-
clare when in active service, Thus conduct
ed, the work Of reconciliation would have
been easy, and we might have reapcd the
benefits Of our many victories on land and
sea.
The Union was originally formed for the
exercise of spirit of conciation and COM
promise. To restore and preserve it, the
same spirit must prevail in our councils and
in the hearts of the people. The re-estab
lishment of the Union in all its integrity
must continue to be the indubitable condi-
ton in any settlement. SO soon as 1t is
clear or even probable that our present ad.
versalies are ready for peace on the basis Of
Union, we should exhaust all the resources of
statemanship practiced by civilized nations
and taught by the traditions of the Ameri
can people consistant with honor and the
interest of the country, to secure such peace,
re-cstablish the Union and guaranty for the
future the Constitutional rights of every
State.
The Union is the one condition of peace,
we ask no more. Let me add, which 1
doubt not was, although uneXprcsscd, the
sentiment of che Convention, as it was Of
the people 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.
If frank earnest and prudent person
should try to obtain these objects, and
should fail, the responsibility for the ulti
mate consequences will fall upon those who
remain III array against the Union. But
the Union must be preserved 1T all hazards.
could not look in the face Of one ofmy gal
lant comrades of the army and navy who
have survived so many bloody battles, and
tell them that their labors and the sacrifice
of 50 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.
A vast majority of our people, whether
in the army or navy, or at home, would hail
with unboundcd joy the permanent rcstora-
ton Of peace on the basis of the Union un-
der the Constitution, without the cffusion
of another drop of blood; but no peace can
be permanent without Union,
As to the other subjects presented in 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 in the
limitations of Executive power endeavor to
restore economy in public expenditures, re-
establish the supremacy Of law, and by the
operations of more vigorous nationality,
resume our commanding position among the
nations of the earth.
The condition of our finances, the deprc-
ciation of the paper money, and the burdens
thereby imposed on labor and capital, show
the necessity Of IA return to a sure system,
while the rights of citizen and the rights
Of the binding authority of the law over the
President, army and people are subjects Of
not less vital importance in war than peace.
Believing that the views thus expressed
are those Of the people you represent, | ac-
ccpt the nomination. realize the weight
and responsibilities to be borne should the
people ratity your choice.
Conscious Of my own weakness, can on
ly seek fervently the guidance Of the Ruler
of the Universe, and rely on His all power
tul aid to do my best to restore the Union
and peace to a suffering people, and to es-
tabhsh aud guard their liberties and rights
! am gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your obedicnt servant,
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN.
To Hon. Horatio Seymour and others, Com