The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-09-16
General McClellan's Letter of Accent
ance.
ORANGE. N ]. Sent. 8.

ance.
ORANGE, N J Sept. 8.
Gentlcmen-I havo tho honor 10 ack novI-
eoge the receipt of your letter Informing
mo OF my nomiDa ton by the Democratic
National Convention. recently assembled at
Chicago, as thoir candidate at the next
election for Prcsiden, of the United States
It's unnecessary for mo to say to YOU
that this nomination comes to me unsoueht.
am happy 10 know that, whom tho nom.
nation was madc, the record of my public
hfo was kept in Wow. The effect of lorg
ana varied service in the army, during var
and peace, has boon to strcng thon and ma G
indeiiblo in thy. mind aud heart tho love
and reverence for the Union, Constitution
laws and flag OF our country impressed up.
on me 10 early youth. These feelings have
thus far guided tho course Of my life, and
must continue to do so until tho end.
The existence of moro than one govern.
mon, over tho region which once owned
our flag, is Incompatible with the peace,
tho power aud tho happiness of the people.
The preservation OF our Uuion was the sole
avowcd object for which the war commenced
II should have been conducted for that
object only, and in accordance with those
principles which took occasion TO declare
when 10 active service. Tins conducted
the work of reconciliation would have been
easy. and VIC night have rcaped The bene.
fits of our many victories on land and sea
.' Tho Union was originally formed for the
exercise of spirit of Cancellation and com.
promise To restore and preserve it. the
same spirit must prevail in our councils
and in the hearts Of tho people. The re-
establishment of the Union, in all its iuteg
rity, must cou,inuo TO DO tho indubilablt
condition in any settlement. So soon as il
is clear or ovon probable that our present
advorsarios aro ready for peace on tho ba.
Sis OF the Union, we should exhaust all the
sources OF Statesmanship practIced by civ
ilixed nations and taught by tho TRADITIONS
of tho American people, consistent with the
honor and the interest of the country, to
secure such peace, re-establ,sh the Union,
and guaranty for tho future tho Constitu.
tional rights of every State.
Tho Union is tho ono condition of peace;
VIC ask no moro. Lot mo add. which
doubt not was. although unexpressod, the
sentiment OF the Conv entiou, as Il was Of
the pcople they represent, that, when any
one State is willing to return to tho Union.
it should Ge received at once with full
guarantee Of all its Constitutional rights.
Ifa frank, honest and persistent person
should try to obtain this object, and should
fail, the responsibility for the ulterior cou
sequences will fall upon tho one who re-
mains in the army fighting against the
Union. But the Union must be preserved
at all hazards. could no: look in
the face one Of 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 40 many OF
our slain and wounded brethren had been
In vain; that We bad abandoned th at Union
for which We have so often periled our
lives. '~-'t ..'
-Avast majority of our people. whether
in the army or navy, or at home, would
hail with unbounded JOY the permanent
restoration Of peace on the basis of tho
Union under the Constitution, without the
tffusion Of another drop OF blood; but no
peace can be permanent without Union.
AS to the other subjects presented in the
Convention, need only to say that l should
seek 10 tho constitution OF tho United States,
and tho laws framed in accordance there.
with the rule of my duty. and in the Iimita.
tion OF Executive power endeavor to restore
economy in public expenditures, re-estab-
lish the supremacy of law, and by the op.
erations of a more vigorous nationality. re-
sumo cur commanding position among tho
nations of tho earlh. r
The condition of our finances, the depre-
citation of the paper money, and the bur-
dens thereby imposed on labor and capita,
show the necessity ofa return to a sure
system; while the rights of citizens and tho
rights and the binding authority of law
over the President. army and people ar 9
subjects OF no more vital importance in war
than in peace. .F
believing that the views thus expressed
are those of tho people you represent, l ac-
cept the nomination. l realize the weight
and responsibilities to bo bourn should the
people ratify your choice.
Conscious of my own weak ness, can only
seek fervently the guidance of the Ruler of
The Universe; and relying on oil 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
obt serv't,
,a... GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN.
To Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others,
Committee. F.. .. .'..
TIM non, Il a; ~. no;nsuo hu~;.. |