Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-09-14
General McCIeIIaa's Letter of
Acceptance.

NEw 1ngE, Sept. D.
The foil " ing l. GrnernI Mcclellan
letter Hcrr p,Ing tia, b .IuOrr0Ic nnmina
ton tor President:
OGANGE. n. j Sep. s
GEsTLEsEN-i have tbr hunnr Io ac-
knowledge the receipt OF ynur letter lu-
forming ME al my nolnInntI, III L., the
Democratic National Convent at. IrceLt
ly assembled Mt Chicago as their ,-undi
date at the mex election OF fresiden,
If the UniIcd State.
1t is unnece -:lrN Ter III. to say TO YOU
that this nomination a"nes 10 me un-
sought. l am happy la know that when
the nomination was maGir the record al
my public life WAS keut in view. The ct
feet of long ami wired service in arms.
during war Ur p1ac,,, has been To strength.
en- and make indellible in my mind an.l
heart. the reverence for the Union, Con
stituLion, laws and flag oruur Country i'm
pressed upon ME in early youth. These
feelings nave thus far guided the course
of my life, and must continue to do 81
until its end.
The existence OF mare Than one gov
erninenL over the region which one
owned our flag is Incompatible with the
peace, the power and the hHppienss Of
the people. The preservation OF our UI-
ion was the sole ayOwed 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 act
i've service; nus 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 for the ex-
eroise of a spirit of Cancellation and COM
promise, to restore and preserve il, the
same spirit must prevail in our councils
and hearts of the people, the re-estab-
lishment of the Union and all in its in
tegrity, must continue to be the indivis-
BILE condition in any settlement. So soon
as it is clear or even probable that our
present adversaries are ready for Peace
IN the basis of Union, we should exhaust
all b sources of statesmanship, practic-
ed by The civilized nations, and taught by
the traditions OF the American people,
consistent with the honor and interest of
the country, because such peace re-es-
tablish 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,
which l doubt not was, although unex-
pressed, the sentiment of the Conven-
sent, that when any one State is willing
to return to the Union, it should be re-
ceived at once, with a full guarantee of
all its constitutional rights. If a frank,
earnest, and prudent person should try
to obtain these objects, and should fail,
the responsibility for the ultimate con-
sequence will fall upon those who remain
in array against the Union. But the
Union must be preserved at all hazards.
/ could 10 look in the face of my gal
liant comrades of the army and navy. who
have survived so many bloody battles.
and tell them that their labors and the
sacrifices of so many of our slain and
wounded brethren has beef 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 or Navy, or at home, would
hail with unbounded joy the permanent
restoration of peace on the basis of the
Union under the Constitution without
the e%ffusion of another drop of blood
But no peace can be permanent without
Union.
As to the other subjects presented in
the Convention, need only say that
should seek in the Constitution of the
United States and the laws framed in &C
cordance Herewith, the rule Of my duty
and the limitations of executive power;
endeavOr TO restore economy in the pub
lie expenditures, re establish the supren-
acy of law. and by the operations of q
more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations
of the earth.
The condition of our finances, the de
probation of the paper money, and the
burdens thereby imposed ON labor and
capital. show the necessity of a return tC
a sound system; while a right of the cit
izen, and the rights of the binding au
thority of law over the President, the
army, and the people, are subjects of not
less vital Importance in war than in
peace
Believing that the views here express
ed are those Of the people you represent
| accept the nomination.
l realize the weight and responsibility
to be borne should the people ratify youi
choice. Conscious of my own weakness:
| can only seek fervently the guidanct
of the Ruler of the Universe, and rely
ing on all powerful aid to do my best tc
restore Union and Peace to a suffering
people, and to establish and guard theil
liberties and rights.
! am, sir, your obd't servant,
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN
To Honor0hs Hor0f;o ,HsarDtnsfr and ofh,rs