The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-09-22
McClellan's Letter of Accept
20 ,9...t. ance.
ORANGE, New Jersey, Septembt

.s ORANGE, New Jersey, September 8.
GENrLEMRs have tho honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter informing me of my nom
nation by the Democratic National Convention
recently assembled at Chicago as their candidate
at the next election for President Of the Unitet
States. 20
" It is unnecessary for me to say to you that thi
nomination comes to me unsought.
am happy know that when the nomination
was made the record of my public life was kept il
view.
The effect of long and varied service in thu
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, lava
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 On to its end
The existence of more than one government over
the region which once owned our flag is incompat-
i6le with the peace, the power, and the happiness
Of the people
The preservation Of our Union was the sole
avowed jsct for which the war was commenced
IL should have been conducted for that object only
and in 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 might have reaped the
benefits Of our many victories on land and sea
The Unieniwas originally formed by the exer-
cise. Of spirit of Cancellation and compromise
To restore and preserve 1t, the same spirit must
prevail in our councils, and in the hearts Of the
people.
The re.establlshment Of the Union in all its in
tegrity1s and must continue to be- tho indispensa-
bic condition In any settlement So soon as il ia
clear, or even probable, that our present adverse
ries are ready for peace, upon tho basis of the
Union, we should exhaust all the resources of
craftsmanship prsetioed by civilized nations, and
taught by the traditions Of ths American people
consistent with the honor and interests of the coun
try, to secure such peace, re- establish the Union,
and guarantee for the future the constitutional
rights of every State The Union is the one con-
dition Of peace-we ask no more.
q Let me add what doubt not was, although uu-
expressed, the sentiment Of the convention, as it
IL Of the people they represent that whom any one
state 10 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 effort to OBJ.
tain those objects should fail the responsibility for
Interior consequences will fall upon those who re-
main in arms against the Union. But the unicn
must be preserved at all hazards.
lcould not look in the face of my gallant comrades
o. the army and navy who have survived 20 many
. cody battles, and tell them that their labors and
ING saerihee Of 30 many Of our slain and wounded
Dfe.Dren had been in vain; that we had abandoned
:nss Union for which have go often psriled our
A vast majority of our people, whether in the
army and navy or at home, vonld M .uonlJ
had Nth uuboundsd joy the permanent restors' |
ton OF peace. on the basis of the Union under the
Constitution, without the effasion of another dron
q blood. But no psacs can be permanent without
Union. -.H ~-l- = ''''lV
Al to the ether subjects presented in the rsso,u.
lions ct the Convention l need only say that
and the laws framed in accordance Herewith tha
ruie of my duty. and the limitations of executivs
povers endsaFof 10 restore economy in public an.
penditure. re-estailish the supremacy Of law, and
By the operation of more vigorous nationality
resume our commanding position among the ma.
;ism Of the earth.