The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-09-28
MccleIIan's Platform.
ORANGE. NEW JERSEY. Sent.


9 ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, Sept. g..
GENTLEMEN I have the honor to a
knowledge the receipt of your letter il
forming me of my nomination by Il
Democratic National Convention, recent
assembled at Chicago, as their candidat
!. at the next election for President of tt
, United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to 20
that the nomination comes to me uT
sought.
1 am happy to know that when tn
nomination was made the record of M
public life was kept in view.
The effect of long and varied service il
the army, during war and peace, ha
been to strengthen and make indellible ii
my mind and heart the love and rever
nee for the Constitution, laws AMI fas
OF our &C untry impressed upon me in m,
early youth.
These feelings have thus far guiaee
the course of my life, and must continue
to do so to its end.
The existence Of more than one govern.
ment over the region which once owned
our flag is incompatible with the peace,
the power, and the happiness of the PEG.
pie.
The preservation of our Union was the
cole avowed object for which the war was
commenced. 1t should have been con
Quoted for that object only. and in accord
ance with those principles which I took
occasion to declare when in active service.
Thus conducted, the work of reconcil-
iation would have been easy. and we
might have reaped the benefit of our
many victories on land and sea.
The Union was originally formed by
the exercise of a spirit of Cancellation and
compromise. To restore and preserve it,
tha same spirit must pravail in our u
ellis, and in the hearts of the people.
The establishment Of the Union in
all its integrity is, and must continae to
be, the indispensable condition in any set
Element. So socn as it is clear, or even
probable, that our present adversaries are
ready for peace, upon the basis of the
Union, we should exhaust all the re. our
ces Of craftsmanship practiced by civil
sed nations, and taught by the traditions
of the American people, consistent with
he honor and interests Of the country, to
such peace, re establish the Union
guarantee for the future the constitu.
tional rights Of every State. The Union
is the one condition Of pcace-we ask no
more. r-s
Let me add what 1 doubt rot was. al
unsurpassed, the sentiment of the
as it is of the people they
'epresent, that when any one State is will
ing to return to the Union, it should be
at once, with a full guarantee of
its constitutional rights.
If a frank. earnest and persistent effort
o obtain those objects should fail, the re-
portability for Interior consequences will
all upon those who remain in arms
gainst the Union. But the Union must
&C preserved at all hazards.
l could not look in the face my gallant
omrades of the army and navy who have
so many bloody battles, and tell
Rem hat their labors and the sacrifice of
} many Of our slain and wounded breth-
IN had been in vain; that we had aban-
oned that Union for which we have so
ften p%eriled our lives.
A vast majority CT orr people, whether
the army and navy or at home. would,
l would, hail with unbounded joy the
ornament restoration of peace, on the
Vi Lux III uuOcE tDC SOustlluLIOH,
the cfusion of another drop of
God. But no peace can be made per-
anert without Union.
As to the other subjects PRESENTED in
e resolutions of the convention, l need 4
ly say that / should seek in the Consti- 4
ton of the United States, and the laws |
lmed in accordance Herewith, the rule :
my duty, and the limitations of execu- J
re power; eDdeavor to restore economy 1
public expenditure, re-establish the SUI I
emacy of law, and, by the assertion of
IRE vigorous nationality, resume our
mmanding position among the nations
the earth. A
The condition of our finances, the de- ii
seiatioD OF the paper money, and the
rdens thereby imposed on labor and
oitai, show the necessity of a retura to
ind financial system; whilst the rights A
and the rights of states, and o,
binding authority of law over Presi- Dc
army, and people, are subjects of
less vital Importance in war than in
ice.
Believing that the views here express A
are those of the convention and the ia
pile you represent, l accept the nomi
ion.
realize the weight of the responsible
be borne should the people ratify A,
II choice or
Conscious of my own weakness, I can
y seek ferventiy the guidance of the
Ter of the Universe, and, relying on
all powerful aid. do my best to re- A,
e Union and peace to a suffering peo- -
and establish and guard their liber- =
and rights.
am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your obedieDt servant, h,
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN. n.
ION. Horatio Seymour, and others,