Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-10-06
General Mcclellan letter Of
Acceptance.

ORANGE NEW JERSEY, Sept. 3, 1854
GENTLENEN: have the honor to cllnowl-
edge the receipt Of your letter Informing me of
my nomination by the Democratic National
Convention, recently assembled at Chicago, us
their candidate at the next election for Presi-
dent of the United States.
1t Is unnecessary for me to say to you that
the nomination comes TO me unsuught.
| am happy to know that when the nomna-
ton was made the record Of my public life was
The effect of long and varied service in the ar
my during war and pence, has been to strength
en- and make indellible in my mind and heart
the love and reverence for the Constitution
laws, ana Nag 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 to It's end.
The existence OF more than one government
over the region which once owned our flag is
Incompatible with the peace, the power and the
The preservation OF our Union was the sole
avowcd object for which the war was commen-
ced. 1t should have been conducted for that OBJ
IJect only, and in accordance with those princi-
pies which took occasion to declare when in
active service.
Thus conducted, the work of reconciliation
would have been easy, and we might have reap
and sen
! The Union was originally formed by the cxer-
else OF a spirit Of concillation and compromise
To restore and preserve 1t, the same spirit must
prevail in our councils, and In the hearts of the
/ people.
! The re-Cstablishmcnt of the Union in all its
integrity Is, and must continue to be- the indis-
! pensablc condition in any settlement SO soon
adycrsarics are ready for pence, upon tie basis
/ of the Union we should exhaust ull the resour.
/ ccS OF StHtcSmanship praCtiCCd by civilized ma
| tions, and taught by the traditions of the Amer
lean people, consistent with the honor and in
tcrcStS Of the country, to secure such peace, re-
establish the Union, and guarantee for the fll-
tnre the constitutional rights of every state.
no more.
Let me add what doubt not was, although
uneNprcSsed, the sentiment of tho Convention
na 1t rs oi the people they represent, that when
any one State is willing to return to the Union
II should be received ut once, with Il full guar
antcc of all its constitutional rights.
! II frank, earnest and persistent effort 10 OBJ
tain these objects should fail, the responsibility
Tor Interior consequences Will fall upon those
VINO remain III arms against the Union. But the
Union must be preserved at al hazards.
could not look in the face of my gall COM
radcs of the army and navy who have survived
50 many bloody battles, and tell them that their
ana wounded brethren had been ia vain; that
we had abandoned that Union for which we
have so often pcrilcd our lives.
\ vast majority of our people, whether in the
army aud navy or at home, would, as would
hail with unbounded JOY the permanent rrstor-
nilon OF peace, ON the basis of the Union under
tn" Constitution, without the cihison of anoth-
or drop Of blood But no peace can be pcrma-
A to the other subjects presented in the res
9lutionS of the convention, need only say that
should seek in the Constitution Of the United
states, ana the laws framed in accordance there
with, the rule of my duty, and the limitations
OF executive power; cndcaVor to restore ccono-
my In public expenditure, re-cstablish the su-
ptemncS oiluW, and by the assertion of n more
vigorous nationality, resume our commanding
position among the nations Of the earth.
The condition of our finances, the drprecp-
tion of the paper money aud the burdens there
by Imposed on labor ana capital, show the ne
crsSitN OF return to sound financial system /;
whilst the rights of citizens and the rights of
states, and the binding authority of law over
President, army, and people. are subjects ofnot
less vital Importance In war than In peace.
believing that the views here Expressed are
those OF the convention and the people you rep
resent, accept the nomination.
| realize the weight of the responsibility to be
bnthr should ia" people ratity your choice.
conscious OF my own weakness, | can only
sock lrrNcntly the guidance of the Ruler of the
Universe, and, relying ON His all powerful nid
10 my best to restore Union and peace to "A suf-
lcrlng people ana establish and guard their lib
critics and rights.
lam, gentlemen very respectfully,
Your obcdicnt servant,
GEORGE II. MCCLELLAN.
Hon. ll0rntlO ScNmomr. and Olhnrh. Com.