The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-09-15
GEN. Me olellan's Letter of Acceptance


ORANGE, N. J. Sept. 8.
GENTLEMEN | have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt ofyour letter,
informing me Of my nomination by
the Democratic National Convention,
recently assembled at Chicago, as the
candidate at the next election for the
Presidency Of the United States. 1t
is unnecessary for me to say to you
that this nomination comes to me un-
sought, l am happy to know that
when the nomination was made, tho
record ofmy 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 indeible in my mind and
heart, the love and reverancc for the
Union, Constitution, laws and flag of
our country impressed upon me in
early youth These feelings have
thus far guided the course of my lite,
and must continue to do so until its
end. The existence of more than
one Government over the region
which once owned our flag is incom-
patible with the peace, the power and
the happiness of the people. The
preservation of our Union was tho
sole avowed object for which the war
was commenced, 1t should have
been conducted for that object only,
and in accordance with those princi
pies which took occasion to declare
when in active service. Thus con-
Quoted, the work of reconciliation
would have been easy, and we might
have rcaped the benefits of our many
victories en- land and sea.
The Union was originally formed
by the existence of spirit of concilia.
ton and compromise. To restore
and preserve it the same spirit must
prevail in our councils and in the
hearts of the people. The re-estab-
lishment of the Union in all its inter-
ests must continue to be the indispen.
sible condition in any settlement.
So soon asit is clear, or even proba-
ble that our present adversaries arc
ready for peace upon the basis of the
Union, we should exhaust all the re-
sources of craftsmanship practiced by
civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions of the American people,
consistent with tho honor and inter
ests of the country, to secure such
peace, re-establish the Union, and
guarantee for the future the constitu-
tional rights of every State. Tho
Union is the condition of peace. We
ask no more. Let me ask, what L
doubt not was, although unexpresscd,
the sentiment of the Convention, as it
is of the people they represent, that
when any one State is willing TO re.
turn to the Union, it should be met at
once with full guarantee of all its
constitutional rights. If q frank,
earnest and persistent effort to OBTAIN
these objects should fail, the RESPONSE
bility for ulterior consequences will
fall upon those who remain in arms
against the Union, but tho Union
must be preserved at all hazards. 1
could not look in the face of my gal
liant comrades of the army and navy,
who served in so many bloody battles,
and tell them that their labors and
the sacrifice ofso 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,
whether in the army and navy or at
homo, would, as | would, hail with
unbounded joy the restoration of
peace on the basis of the Union under
the Constitution without the effusion
of another drop of blood; but no
peace can bo permanent without
Union.
AS to the other subjects presented
in the resolutions of the Convention,
| need only say that 1 should seek in
the Constitution of the United States,
and the laws framed in accordance
Herewith, the rule of my duty and
the Limitation of executive power, en-
dcavor to restore economy in public
expenditures, re-establish the suprema-
cy of our laws and by the operation of a
moro vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the ma
tions of the earth. The condition of
our finances, the depreciating of the
paper money, and the burdens there
by imposed upon labor and capital,
show tho necessity of return to o
sound system. The right and the
binding authority of law over the
President, the army and the people,
are subjects of not less vital impor-
tNncc in war than in peace. Believ-
ing that tho views here expressed are
those of the Convention and the peo-
pie you represent, | accept the nomi-
nation. realize the weight of re-
sponsibiity to be borne should the
people ratify your choice. Concious
of my own weakness, l can only seek
fcrvently the guidance of the Ruler of
the Universe, and relying on His all
powerful aid, do my best to restore
union and peace to suffering people,
and to establish and guard their liber-
tics and rights,
| am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
GEO B. MCCLELLAN.
To Hon. Horatio Seymour, and
others. committee.