The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-09-15
GEN. MCCLELLAN.

Talks all Around the Peace
Propositions IgaOres the Idea
Of u Cessation Of HOstilittes
-aad goes for the Whele Union,
ORANak, New Jersey, Sept 8, 1854.
GENrLExsN:-I have the honor to ack.
nowledge the receipt of your letter, inform
ing me Of my nomination by the Democratic
National Convention, recently held at Chi.
cago, 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.
Fam happy to know that when the nom,
nation 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 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 life. and must continue to do
50 to its end.
The existence of more than one Govern.
ment over the region which once owned our
flag is incompatible with the peace, the pow
er, and the happiness Of the people.
The preservation Of our Union was the
sole ayowed object for which the war was
commenced. It should have been conducted
for that object only and in accordance with
those principles which took occasion to de-
clare when in active service
Thus conducted, the work Of reconcilia.
ton would have been easy, and we might
have reaped The benefits of our many victo-
ries on land and sea.
The Union was criginai.y formed by the
exercise Of spirit Of Cancellation and COM
promise. To restore and preserve it, the
same spirit must prevail in our councils and
in the hearts of the people.
The re establishment of the Union in all
its integrity, is, and must continue to be,
the Indispensable condition in any settle
ment. So soon as it is clear and even prob
able, that our present adversaries are ready
for peace. upon the basis Of the Union, we
should exhaust all the resources of states
manship practised by civilized nations. and
taught by the traditions Of the American
people. consistent with the honor and inter-
ests of the country, 70 secure such peace, re-
establish 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 rep.
resent, than when. any one State is willing
to return to the Union, it should be received
at once, with a full guarantee of all its con
stitntional rights.
ia frank, earnest and persistent effort to
obtain those objects should fail, the resp n
sibility for superior consequences viii fall
upon those who remain in arms against the
Union. But the Union must be preserved
at all hazards.
could not look in the face of my gallant
comrades Of the army and navy. who have
survived 50. many bloody battles, and tell
them that their labors and the sacrifice of so
many Of our slain and wounded breth' en-
had been in vain; tat we had abandoned
that Union for which we have so often per-
illed our lives.
A vast majority of our people, whether in
the army and navy or at home, would as
would. hail with unbounded joy the perrna-
ment restoration of peace, on the basis Of
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
of the Convention, need only
say that should seek, in the Constitution
Of the United States. and the laws framed in
accordance Herewith, the rule of my duty,
and the limitations of Executive power; en-
deavor to restore economy in public expen-
diture, re establish the supremacy Of law,
and by the operation Of a more rigorous ma.
tionality. resume our commanding position
among the nations of the earth.
The condition of our Frances, the depre.
citation Of the paper money, and the burdens
thereby imposed on labor and capital, upon
the necessity Of a return to financial sys-
tenn; while the rights of citizens and the
rights Of States. and the binding authority
of law over President, Army and People.
are subjects of not less rival Importance in
war than in peace.
Believing that the views here expressed
are those of the Convention and the people
you represent, accept the nomination. I
realize the weight of the responsibility to be
borne, should the people rstify your choice
Conscious Of nv own weakness, | can on.
" seek fervently the guidance of the Ruler
of the Universe, and, relying on His all-pow-
erfnl aid, do my best to restore union and
peace to suffering people, and to establish
and guard their libert es and rights.
! am, Gentlemen, very respectfully, your
obedent servant. GEO. B MCCLELLAN
Hon. HoRAzIo SEYMOUR and others, Com.
mittee.
The INDIAN WAR.-The Omaha Repub
licar of last week, after noticing the excit
ing rumors IN relation to Indian disturbances