Year: 1864




Cen. McClellans Letter of Acceptance


ORANGE, N. J., September 8, 1864.


GENTLEMEN: | have the honor 80 acknow-
)paue the receipt OF your letter informing me
of NV nomination, by the Democratic Natlonal
nongention. recently assembled at Chicago, as
their candidate at the next election tor Presl-
dent of the United States.


It is unnecessary tor ne to say to you tnat
this nomination comes so me nnsought. am
hanny "a know that when the nomination was
made the record OF my public life was kept III
view.


The effect Of long and varied service in the
army during the war and peace has been to
strengthen and make indeible 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 nay
life, and must continue to do 50 to It's end.


The existence Of more than one government
over the region which once owned our tag IS
incompatible 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 com
menced. It should have been conducted tor
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 nave
reaped the benefits of our many victories on
land and sea.


The Union was originally formed by the ex-
ercise of spirit Of Cancellation and colnpro-
mise, To restore and preserve it the same
spirit must prevail in our councils and IN the
hearts OF the people The re-establlshment OF
the Union in all It's integrity is and must con-
Ginue to be the Indispensable condition. IN any
settlement. So soon as it is clear; or even pro
bable. that our present adyersarles are ready
for peace upon the basis OF the Union, we
should exhaust all the resources OF statesman
ship practised By civilized nations and taught
by the traditions of the American people, con
sistent with the honor and interests OF the
country, to secure such peace, re establish the
Union. and guarantee for the future the con
stitutional rights Of every State. The Un1on
IS the one condition Of peace we ask no more.


Let me add what [ doubt not was, although
unexpressed, the sentiment OF the convention,
asit is Of the people they represent, tflag when
any one State is willing to return1to to the Uhloh'
it should be received at once. with tulI guar.
anty of all it's constit ltlonal rights.


Il frank, earnest, and persistent effort 90
obtain these objects should tail, the RESPONSE
bility for ulterior consequences will tall upon
those who remain in arms against the Union;
but the Union must be preserved at all haz-
ards.


could not look in the face OF my gallant
comrades of the army and navy, who nave
survived so many bloody battles, and tell them
that their labors and the sacrifice OF SO many
OF our slain and wounded brethren had 70 oeen 10
vain that we had abandoned that Union for
which we have so often perilled our lives. A
vast majority of our people, whether in the ar
my and navy, or at home, would, as [ would,
hail NTH ! al ov the narmanent reStOr