North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-10-19
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
GENERAL McCLELLAN,S LETTER OF
ACCEPTANCE,
ORANGE. New JERSEY. }
September S, 1864 !

GENTLEMEN: I have the honor TO acknoWi
edse the receip: of your letter informing me
OF my nomination by the Democratic Nation
a. Convention, recently assembled at Chicago,
as their candidate at the next election for
President of the United States.
II is unnecessary for me to say to you that
this comes unsought. -...
am happy to know that when the nomIn-
alton was made, the record of my public life
was kept in view.
The effect of Ion and varied service in the
army during war ard peace, has been to
strengthen and make indeIible in my mind
and heart the love and reverence fer the Tn
ion, Constitution, laws, Al d flag of our coun-
try impressed upon me in early youth.
These fcelin:s have thus far guided the
course Of my life, and must continue to do 80
/ TO Is end.
The existercc Of mere 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 preserg alton Of our Union was the sole
avowed object for which the war was com
rncnced. 1t should have been conducted for
that nbject onlv,al n accordance with those
principles which took occasion TO declare
when in active service.
| Thus conducted, the work of reconciliation
would have been easy, and we nigh, have
reaped the benefits Of our many victories on
land and sea.
The Union was originally formed by the
exercise of a spirit Of concIliation and com
promise To restore and preserve il, the
same spirit NUT prevail in our councils and
! in The hearts Of the people.
The ree>tablishment Of the Union in oil its
integrity is, and must continue to be, the
Indispensable cnnltion'' in any settlement
So soon as II is clear, or even probable, that
our present adyersarles are ready for peace
upon the bass of the Union, We should ex
/ hauSt nli the r. sources Of Craftsmanship prac-
| tsed by civilized nations, and taught by the
TRADITIONS OF the Amer can PEI pie, consistent
with the honor ana interests Of the country,
to secure such peace, reestsblish the Union,
and guarantee for The future the canstitution-
q rights OF every State. The Union is the
one condition of peace-we ask no more.
Let rne add what, doubt not was, altho'
unexpresss'i, the sentiment IF the Convention
as it ia of The people thsy represent, that
when any one Stale is willing to return to
the Union, it should be received st once,
with full guarantee Of all its constitutional
rights
II frank, earnest, and persistent effort 20
obtain those objects should fail, the responsi-
billty for ultertor consequences will fall upon
those who remain in arms against the Union,
, But the Union must be preserved at al haz
= rls.
could not ok in the face Of my gallant
C lsdrs Of the army and navy, who have
survived 40 many bloody battles, and tell
them that their labors and the sacr lice OF so
many of our SIAM and wounded brethren had
been in vain tlat we had abtnIoned that
Union fer which we have so often perled our
lives.
A vast majerity Of our people, whether in
the army and navy or al n ONE, would. as
would, hail with unb)unded joy the perma.
nent restoration of peace, on the basis of the
Union under the Constitution, without the
effa>ion of another drop of blood. Bnt no
peace can be permanent Rithout Union,
As to the other subjects presented in the
resolutions of tho 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; en-
deavor to restoIc economy in public expendi
turc, reestablish the supremacy of law, and,
by the operation of q more vIgrr 'us national,
| ity, resume our commanding positions among
| the nations of the earth,
! The condition of our finances, the deprecla
ton of the paper money, AMI the burdens
thereby imposed on labor and capital, show
the necessity of a return to n sounl financial
| system while the rights Of citizens, and the
rights Of States, and the binding authority OF
law over President, army. AMI people, are
| subjects of not les, vial 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.
| realize the weight of the responsibility
to be born, should the people raufy your
choice.
/ Conscious of my own weakness, can only
seek ferventIy the guidance of the Ruler of
the universe, and, relying on His all powerful
| aid do my best to restore union and peace to
a suffering people, and to establish and guard
their liberties and rights,
| am, gentlemen,
very respectfully,
your ohedent servant,
I Geo b. MCCLELLAN