Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-09-15
McCIeiinnss Letter OF Acceptance.

ORANGE, n. j., Sept. 3, 1864.
GENTLEMEN have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt OF your letter, in
forming me of my nomination by the
Democratic National Convention, recent
ly assembled Mt Chicago, as their can
didate at the next election for President
of the United States.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to you
that this nomination came to me I'M
sought.
l 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, during war and peace, has
been to strengthen and make indellible
in my mind and heart, the love and rev.
erence for the Union, constitution, laws
and flag Of our country, impressed up
on me in early youth.
These feelings have thus far guided
the course of my life, and must continue
to do so to its end.
The existence of but one government
over the region which once owned our
flag is Incompatible with the peace, the
power and happiness of the people.
sole avowed object for which the war
was commenced. 1t should have been
conducted for that object only, and in
accordance with those principles which
/ took occasion to declare when in ac-
tive service.
Thus conducted, the work ofreconcil-
iation would have been easy, and we
might have reaped the benefits 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 pre-
serve it, the same spirit must prevail
in our councils and in the hearts OF the
people.
The establishment of the Union in
all its integrity, is, and must continue
to be, the Indispensable condition in any
settlement. So soon as it is clear or
even probable, that our present adver-
saries are ready for peace, upon the basis
of the Union, we should exhaust all the
resources of craftsmanship practised by
civilized nations, and taught by the ira
ditions of the American people, consist
ent with the honor and interests of the
country to secure such peace, re-estab-
fish the Union and guarantee for the
future the constitutional rights of every
State. The Union is the one condition
of peace-we ask no more.
Let me add what / doubt not was, al
though unexpressed, the sentiment of
the Convention, as it is of the people
they represent, that when any one State
is willing to return to the Union, it
should be received at once, with full
guarantee Of all its constitutional rights.
Ii frank, earnest ans persistent eff
fort to obtain those objects should fail,
the responsibilityfor ulteTior consequeces
will fall upon those who remain in arms
against the Union. But the Union mast
be preserved at all hazards.
/ could not look in the face of my gal
liant comrades of the army and navy,
who have survived so many bloody bat
ties, and tell them that their labors and
the sacrifices of so many of our slain and
wounded brethren had been in vain !;
that we had abandoned that Union for
which we have SO often periled our
lives.
A vast majority of our people, wheth-
er in the army and navy or at home,
would, Jas / would, hail with unbound
ed joy he permanent restoration of
peace, on the basis of 1.-THE Union under
the Constitution, without the effusion Of
another drop of blood, But no peace
can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in
the resolutions OF the convention. need