The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-09
Letter from Gen. Mcclellan Accepting
the Chicago Nomination.
UNION MUST BE PRESERVED
AT ALL HAZARDS.


The following is the letter Of General McClel-
Ian accepting the Chicago nomination -
opAnor N. j. Sept 8, 1864. f.--Gonuomcn; Il have
,bo honor 10 acknowledge the receipt your letter
inlormjng me OF my nomination by the Democratic
National Convention recently assembled at Chicago
a. their candidate at the next election for President
oftho United States.
IL is unnecessary for me 20 say 10 you that this
nomination comes to me unsought.
/ am happy 10 know that when the nomination
was made the record OF my public lie was kept In
view.
The effect of long and varied service in the armv
during war and peace has been 70 strengthen and
make indelhbo in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Union, Constitution laws and fag
Of our country impressed upon me In early youth
These feelings have thus tar guided the course Of
my life, and must continue TO do so to its end.
The existence of moro than one Government over
the region which once owned our fap is incompati-
bic with the peace the power and the happiness Of
the people,
Tbe preservation Of our Union was the sole avowcd
object for which the was commenced, and Il
should have been conducted i'm accordance with
those principles, which took occasion 10 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 the
land and the sea.
The Union was originally formed by the exercise
of a spirit Of conciation and compromise, and to
in our councils and in the hearts of the people. Tho
re-estabshment of the Union in oil its integrity
and must continue TO be the indispensable condition
in any settlement
So soon as IL Is clear, or even probable that our
present adversaries are ready for peace upon the
basis Of the Union, we should exhibit all the re-
sources OF statesmanship practiced by civilized ma
tons and taught by the traditions OF the American
people, consistent with the honor and interests OF
the country, TO secure such peace re-establsh the
Union and guarantee for the future the conditional
rights Of every State. The Union Is the one cond-
ton Of peace, and we ask no more.
Let me add v hat doubt not was, although unex-
pressed. the sentiment OF the Convention It is OF
the people they represent, that whe any one State
willing to return to the Union it should be received
at with iull guaranety of all its constitutional
rights. II frank, earnest and persistent effort TO
obtain these objects should fail the responsibility for
Interior consequences will fall upon those who re,
pain in arms against the Union, but the Union must
he preserved at all hazards.
could not look in the face of my gallant com
rades Of the army and navy, who have survived SO
many bloody battles, and toll them that their labors
and the sacrifice of so many Of our sla and
wounded brethren had been IN van-that we had
abandoned that Union for which we have so otter
peried our lives.
A vast majority of our people, whether in thu
army and navy at home, would, as would, hal
~ lnbounded JOY the permanent restoration o
poace, on the OASIS OF tDt UNION uhuel NOhhIlu
tion without the efusion OF another drop Of blood
but no peace can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in the resolI
lions of the Convention, I need only say that
should seek in the Constitution of the United State
and the laws framed in accordance therowith, tn
rue of my duty and the limitations of cXecuty
power, endeavoring to restore economy In publ
expenditure. re-establish the supremacy of law, an
BY the operation OF a vigorous nationality re
sumo our commanding position among the nation
OF the earth.
The condition of our finances, the depreciation o
the paper money, ana the burdens thereby imposed
on labor and capital, show the necessity of a return
to a sound financial system, while the rights of citi
zens and the rights of States, and the binding auho
rity Of law over the President the army aud the peo
ple are subjects OF not less vital importance in wa
than in peace.
Believing that the views here expressed are those
of the Convention and the people you represent,
accept the nomination. l realize the weight OF th
responsibility to be borne, should the people ratiiy
your choice.
Conscious of my own weakness, can only seel
fervently the guidance of the Ruler oftho Universe
and relying on His all-powerful aid, do best t
restore Union and peace to a suffering people, and
TO establish and guard their liberties and rights.
lam, gentlemen, yerv respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GEORGE b. MCCLELLAN
Hon. HoRAro SEYMOUR and others, Committee