Year: 1864




GENTLEMEN / have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter informing me Of my nomina-
ton by the Democratic National Convention recent
ly assembled at Chicago, as their candidate at the
next election for President Of the United States.


It is unnecessary for me to say TO you that the
nomination comes to me unsought.


am happy to know that when the nomination 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 indellible in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and nag OF our
country impressed upon me in early youth.


These feelings have thus far guided the course d
my life, and must continue to do so 10 It's, ,end


The existence of more than one government over
the region which once owned our flag Is incompatl,
BILE with the peace, the power, and the happiness oil
the people.


The preservation of our Union was the sole ayowed
object for which the war was commenced. tsnouid
have been conducted for that object only. and M IN
sion to declare when in active service.


Thus conducted, the work Of reconciliation would
have been easy, and might have reaped the Dene-
fit of our many victories on land and sea;


The Union was originally formed by the exercise
of spirit of Cancellation and compromise. To re-
store and preserve it. the same spirit must prevail III
our councils, and in the hearts of the. people.


The re-establishment of the Union in all its integ
rity is and must continue to be, the indispensable
condition in any settlement. SO soon as 1t IS clear,
or even probable, that our present adyeTsares are
ready for peace, upon the basis Of tie Union, we
should exhaust all the resources OF statesmansnip
practiced by civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions Of the American people. consistent with
the honor and interests Of the country, to secure
such peace, e-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. -, n


Let me add what doubt not was, although unex.:
pressed the sentiment of the Convention as 1t OF
the people they represent, that when any one State
is willing to return to the Union, tshould be receiv
ed at once, with full guarantee of all its oonstitu-


If frank, earnest and persistent effort TO- obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for plte-
riOr consequences will fall upon those who remain N
arms against the Union. But the Union must DO
/ could not look in the face my gallant comrades
Of the army and navy who have survived s 50 many any
the sacrifice of so many Of our slain and wounded
brethren had been in vain; that we had abandoned
that Union for which we have so often periled our
lives.


vast majority of our people. whether in the army
and navy or at home, would. Ms would, hail with
unboupded Joy the permanent rsstGra9n .b q peace
without the efusion Of another drop Of blood. but
no peace can be permanent without Union.


As to the other subjects presented in the resolu-
tions of The convention need only say that should
SEEK in the Constitution OF the United States, ana
the laws framed in accordance therewith the rule OF
my duty. and the limitations Of S: executive power
re-establish the supremacyOf law and by the assert
tion Of more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations oil the
earth. a.,
the paper money, and the burdens thereby imposed
on labor and capital, show the necessity Of return
to sound financial system; whilst the rights OF cit
zens and the rights of states and the binding au-
thority Of law over President, army and people, are
subjects of not less vital 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.
realize the weight Of the responsibility TO DO
borne should the people ratify your choice.


Conscious of my own weakness, can only seek
fervently the guidance Of the Ruler Of the Uni
verse; and, relying on His all powerful aid, do my
best to restore Union and peace TO suffering pco-
rights. l.ntr, r r


VIZ Your obedent servant, Ng


.rtrr GEORGE B. McULELLAy.y
Hon. Horatio Seymour. and others, committee.