Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-24
mcclelInn,s Platform.


,GEsrLEMEN: have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter informing me Of my nomna-
tion BY the Democratic National Convention. recent
next election for President Of the United States.
II is unnecessary for me to say to you that the
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,
make indellihie IN my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and nag OF our
country impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus tar guided the course Cf
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 inccmpati,
bic with the peace the power and the happiness OF
The preservation Of our Unon was the sole ayowcd
have been conducted for that object only. and in
accordance with those principles which took occa-
sqr 70 declare when in sctiys o service would
have been easy and we might have reaped the bene-
of our many victories on land and sea;
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
Of aspirit Of eOnciliation and compromise. 10 re-
store and preserve it. the same spirit must prevail ID
our councils and in the hearts q the pe9Pe:
riy is, and must continue to be, the Indispensable
condition in any settlement SO soon as it is clear,
or even probable, that present adversarles are
ready for peace, upon the basis Of tie Union, we
should exhaust all the resources OF statesmanshlp
practiced by civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions of the American people, consistent with
tho honer and interests Of the country, to secure
such peace re-establish tho Union. and guarantee
for tho future the constitutions ST. rights &C q every
Let me add what doubt not was. although unex--
he people they represent that when any one State
is willing to return 10 the Union II should be recelv-
cd at once with full guarantee Of all its constitu-
II frank. earnest and persistent effort TO obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ulte=
srms ssss he Gno But the Union Be
preserved at all hazards.
j could not look in the face my gallant comrades
OF the army and navy who have survived so many
bloody battles, and tell them that their labors and
the sacrifice Of so many Of our slain and wounded
that Union for which we have SO often periled our
A vast majority of our people, whether in the army
and navy or ut home, would. as would, hail with
uubounded JOY the permanent restoration Of peace.
on the basis OF the Union under the Constitution,
without the efusion Of another drop o. blood. But
As to the other subjects presented in the resolu,
lions of tho convention. need only say thatI 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;
endeavor to restore economy IN public expenditure,
re-estabs tho supremacy OF law, and, by the asser-
tion Of more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations of the
The condition Of our finances the depreciation Of
the paper money and the burdens thereby imposed
on labor and capital show the necessity Of return
10 sound financial SYSTEM whilst the rights OF citi-
gems and the rights Of states, and the binding au-
fhority Of law over President army and people, are
subjects Of not less vital Importance in war than In
Believing that the views here expressed are those
of tho convention and the people you represent,
accept the nomination.
1 realize the weight OF the responsibility to be
borne should the people ratfy your choice.
= Conscious Of my own weakness, can only seek
fcryently the guidance of the Ruler Of the Uni
verse, and relying on His all powerful aid. do my
best TO restore Union and peace 70 suffering peo-
rights.
am. gentlemen, very respectfully,
49, Your obedient servant,
~ ~ ~ > GEORGE b. McCbBLLAN.
Hon. Horatio Seymour. and Others. committee.