The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-10-08
McCIelIan's Letter of Accept.
ance.

ORANGE, New jersey September 8.
GENTLEMEN have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter informing me Of my NOM
ination by the Democratic National Convention
recently assembled at Chicago, as their candidate
at the next election for President of the United
States
1t is unnecessary for me to say to you that this
nomination comes to me unsOught.
am happy t 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 indelible in my mind and heart the love
and reverence for tho Union, Constitution, laws
and flag of our country, impressed upon me in
carly youth.
These feelings have thus far guided the course
of my life and must continue to do 50 to its end.
The existence of more than one government over
the region which once owned our Gag is incompat-
lille with the peace, the power, and the happiness
of the people
The preservation of our Union was the 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 active service.
Thus conducted the work of reconciliation 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 eXer-
else Of spirit of Cancellation and compromise
70 restore and preserve it, the same spirit must
prevail in our councils, and in the hearts of the
people. ...
The re-estsblishment of the Union in all its in.
tegrty Is and must continue to be, the indispensa-
bic condition in any settlement So soon as il IL
clear or even probable, that our present adverse
les are ready for peace upon the basis of the
MON, We should exhaust all the resources of
stesmanshp practioed by civilized nations. and
dught by the traditions Of the American people,
onsistent with the honor and interests of the conn
try, to secure such peace, re-establish the Union.
and guarantee for the future the constitutional
rights Of every State The Union is the one con.
dition Of peace~-we ask no more.
Let me add what doubt not was although un
expressed the sentiment Of the convention, as Il
is Of the people they represent that when any one
State is willing toreturn to the Union, it should be
received at once with full guarantee Of all its
constitutional rights.
If frank. earnest, and persistent effort to OBJ.
tain those objects SHOULD fail the responsibility for
Interior consequences will fall upon those who re-
main il nrIns sgainst the Union But the Unicn
must be preserved at all hazards.
could not look in the face Of my gallant comrades
o. the army and navy who have survived so many
toody battles and tell them that their labors snd
ne sacrifice of so many Of our slain and wounded
5retbrsn had bsen in vain; that we had abandoned
that Union for which We have 50 often periled our
ives. 81 -S.~-Ft
Avast majority of our people, whether in the
army and navy or at home. would. AZ T vond
hail with unbounded joy the permanent restora-
ton OF peace on the basis Of the Union under the
Constitution, without the efusion of another drop
OF blood But no peace can be permanent without
Union. 'L4a
As to tho other subjects presented in the ,e.o,p.
tions Of the Convention. l need only say that /
should seek mthe Constitution Of the IJnfsa Ssot..
and the Laws framed In accordance herewith the
rule Of my duty, and the limitations Of executive |
power; endesvor to restore economy in public az.
psnditurs, re-estsslish the supremacy of law and
BY the operation Of more vigorous nationality
resume our commanding position among the ma,
tons Of the earth.
The eondit on Of our finances, the depreciation
Of the paper money, and the burdens thereby Inn. !
,sed on labor and capital, show the necessity of
return to ssound 6nsnsal system, while the rights
Of eitssns and the rights Of States and the bind.
ins authority Of law over President, army, sad