Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-09-17
Peace on any Other Basis is Impossible

New YORK, Sept. 8.
The Committee appointed by the Chicago
Convention to notify Gen. Mcclellan of his
nomination, met this morning at the st. Mich
olas Hotel. Nearly all the members of the
committee were present At one o'clock the
committee left the hotel and proceeded in
carriages to the mansion of Gen. Mcclellan
in 3lst street where they were received by
the General and Col. Lansing. After the
ceremony of introduction and a brief inter
view, the committee presented to General
Mcclellan copy of the proceedings of the
Chicago Convention and letter advising him
of his nomination.
The General accepted the nomination, and
his letter to that effect is as follows:
ORANGE, NJ. Sept. s.
To Hon. HOratiO Seymour and Others, Commit
Tee, de-:
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to aeknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter informing me
of my nomination by the Democratic Nation
al Convention recently held at Chicago, as
their candidate at the next election for Pres
ident of the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say 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 war and peace,
has been to strengthen and make indelible in
my mind aud 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 its end The existence of more
than one Government over the region which
sc NIT fh.a
peace, the power, and the happiness of the
people. The preservation of our Union was
the sole avowed object for which the war was
commenced. 1t should have been conducted
for that object only, and in 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 reaped the
benefits of our many victories on land and
sea.
The Union was originally formed by the
exercise of a spirit of Cancellation and COM
promise. To restore and preserve il, 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, is
and must continue to be the indispensable
condition in any settlement. So soon as it is
clear, or even probable, that our present adj
versaries are ready for peace upon the basis
of the Union, we should exhaust all the re-
sources of craftsmanship practiced by civiliz-
ed 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 guar
anteeing 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 COnven-
ton, as it is 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 persistent eff
fort to obtain these objects should fail, the
responsibility for Interior consequences will
fall upon those who remain in arms against
the Union, but the Union must be preserved
at all hazards l could not look in the face
of my gallant comrades of the army and navy
who have survived so many bloody battles,
and tell them that their labors and the sacri-
fee 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, as would, hail with unbound
ed 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
resolutions of the Convention, need only
say that | should seek in the Constitution of
the United States and the laws framed in ac-
cordance Herewith the rule of my duty and
the limitation of Executive power; endeavOr
to restore economy in public expenditures,
re-establish the supremacy of the law, and
by the operation of more vigorous nation
atty resume our commanding position among
the nations of the earth. The condition of
our finances, the depreciation of the paper
money and the burdens thereby imposed on
labor and capital, show the necessity of re-
turn to a sound financial system, while the
rights of citizens and the rights of States and
the binding authority of law over the Presi
dent, 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. L
realize the weight of the responsibility to be
borne should the people ratify your choice.
Conscious of my own weakness, | can only
seek fervently the guidance of the Ruler OF
the Universe, ard relying on His all-powerful
aid, do my best to restore Union and peace
to suffering people, and to establish and
guard their liberties and rights.
am, gentlemen,
Very respectfully,
Your obed't servant,
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.