Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-09-13
Gen. McClellan's Letter Of Acceptance.


y 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
TO know than when the nomination WAS made the
record OF my public life was kept in view.
The effect of long and varied service il the
army, during war and peace, has been TO strengthen
ADD make indelIbIe in my mind and heart love
and reverence for the Union, Constitution, laws
and hag Of our country. Impressed upon me in
early youth, these feelings have thu guided the
course Of my lie, and must continue to do 30
until it, end
The existence Of more than one government
over the region where once waved our dtg, Is in
compatible with the peace, the prosperity and the
happiness Of the people. The preservation Of our
Union was the avowed object for which this war
was commenced. 1t should have been continued
for that object only and in accordance with the
principles which took occasion to declare when
in active service Thus conducted, the work Of
reconciliation would have been easy, and we might
have reapsd the benefits of our many victories on
land and sea. The Union was originally formed
by the exercise OF spirit OF concliiaton and com.
promise. To restore it and preserve it, the same
spirit must prevail in our councils and the hearts
VI the people. The re-estabi.hment of the Union
in all OF Us integrity is, and must continue, the
indispensable condition Of any settlement. As
soon as i! is clear, or even probable, that our
present sdversarles are ready for peace upon he
basis Of the Union, We should exhaust oil the
resources of craftsmanship practced by civilized
nations, and taught by lht traditions OF the
American people, consistent win he honor and
interests OF the country, to secure such peace,
re establish the UoJn, and guarantee for the
future the constitutional rights of every State
The Ullon is the one condition of peace we ask
no more Let me add, what doubt not was,
although unexpressed, the sentiment of the con-
venton, as 1t IS OF the people they represent, that
when any State is willing TO return to the Union,
1t should be at once received with full guarantee
OF al It's constitutional rights. s8.B
liza frank, earnest and persistent effort to obtain
these objects should fail, the responsibility for
consequences will 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 Lave survived so many bloody battles,
and tell them that their labors and the sacrifice
Of so many OF our slain and wounded brethren
had been in vain that we had abandoned that
Uulon for which We have so often perilIed our lives
A vast msjory Of our people, whether in the
army or navy, or at home, would, as | would
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 with
out union. As to the other subj cts presented 10
the resolutions Of the convention, need only say
that should seek in the constitution o. the United
/ States and the lau. f,.aksd in thara
with, the rule Of my duty, and the limitations Of
executive power endeayor to restore economy IN
public expenditures, re.estabIish the supremacy
oil law, and by the operations OF a more vigorous
nationality resume our commanding position
among the nations Of the earth. Tue condition
OF our finances, the depreciation of the paper
money, and the burdens thereby imposed on
labor and its capital, show the necessity Of a
return TO sound financial system, while the
rights of States and the binding authority Of Law
over the President army and people, are subject,
OF no less vital importance in war than in peace
Believing tfat the views here expressed are
but those Of the Convention and the people you
represent, accept the nomination. | re,Iize thu
weight OF the responsibility to be borne should
tue people ntfy your choice. Conscious of my
own weskne. can only seek persstenty the
guidance Of the Ruler of the Universe, and rely
ing on His all powerful aid, do my hest to restore
the Union and peace to a suffering people, and to
establish and guard their liberties and rights
am gentlemen, Very respectfully,
your 0bedient servant,
GEO b. MCCLELLAN
To lloratio Seymour and Others of the Com
mittee.
In order TO Judge justly of the above letter, ",
must bear in mind, both that the nation is engaged
IN desperate struggle for existence, using tn
strong arm to put down treason and restore tn
Union, and that the convection, whose nomina
ton is accepted above, declared this effort
the government failure, tha, it mus, immediate
y be abandoned and hosiilites cease, while hence
l.. 'orth peaceable means only must be resorted t
a to pacfy and quiet rebellion, and restore the gov
, eminent to its integrity. The convention dis
f tnctly said that the war must stop, that it wa
}. all wrorgi and after having said SO with unan
@ nifty quite unusual, that convention presented t
Y the country, asa candidate for president on thu
. platform, George B. Mcclellan. Horatio Seymo.
aud others were then appointed to notify the eau
d didate Of the action Of the convention, and the
II performed this duty, conveying to Mr.. McCella
N the proceedings of the Chicago ooucave, ncIudir
10 its resolutions or PLATFORM And it is in respons
he 10 this committee, and whit the Chicago resolution
'. before him, that McClcllan accepts the nomin,
n. ton in the above communication
IN The letter. by itself and indepe ndent OF an
Of connection with the Chicago convention, is mi
be aud tolerably clear statement Of the authors de
m voton 10 the Union: and /, most significant
ut justlfes all the crci'm' on the Chicago plAtfor
d. asa disunion declaration by the pains here TAKE
IN to negative thu presumption that an acceptan
10 Of The nomination would be evidence Of disuuio
a. sentiment, 10 the candidate. But in these time
to with the pre,eat issue, before the count try, aud
L. face Of the danger 10 our nationality from treasC
nd IN arms against our aig mere rhetorical expire
Il. sion OF love Of the Union is not enough. Dew
b. ton to tue Flag must be something more than
IT, sentiment something more than desire merely
70 it must be a brave, heroic, mistaken, living pu
ut pose, not content alone with fine phr,,es, TT
ali confronting all enemies OF our nation,il, vii
he every energy and resource Of the republic An
II il McClelan's letter was not made even mo-
er nervele.s and hesit,ting than at frs, sight
,ir appears, by the fact that it is written express
" asa favorable response to nomination made /
a peace convention on peace platform /, wol
yet fall Infinitely short of the dsm,Lds of Il
q hour, and fail to command the admiration of al
p sincere and working enemy OF treason. Asst