Year: 1864

Gen. McClellan's Acceptance.


LETTER OF THE COMMITTEE


\, NRW YORK, Sept 8, 1s64:-Aaj. Gen. Geo. b.
pointed committee by the National Demo-
cratic Convention, which met at Chicago on
the 29th Of August, to advise you Of your unan-
date Of the Democratic party for President of
the United States; and also to present to You
copy OF the proceedings and resolutions Of the


It gives us great pleasure to perform this
duty, and to act as the representatives of that
convention, whose deliberations were wit.
messed by vast assemblage Of citizens, who
attended and watched its proceedings with in
tense interest.


Be assured that those for whom we speak
were animated with the most devoted and
prayerful desire for the salvation Of the Amer
ican Union, and the preservation OF the Con.
stitution OF the United States, and that the ac-
complishment Of these objects was the guiding
and impelling motive In every mind.


As we may be permitted to add, that their
purpose to maintain that Union is manifested
in their selection as their candidate Of one
it is their earnest hope and confident belief that
your election will restore to our country union,
peace and constitutional liberty.


We have the honor TO be your obedient ser
wants. [SIGNRD BY THE COMMITTEE.


THE ACCEPTANCE


ORANGE, M. Sept. 8, 1s64.-Gentlemen: I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter informing me OF my nomination,
by the Democratic National Convention, re-
Gently assembled at Chicago, as their candi-
United States.


1t is unnecessary for me to say to you that
this nomination comes to me unsought. / am
happy to know that when the nomination was
made, the record of my public life was keptin
view.


The effect of long and varied service in the
army during war and peace has been to
strengthen and make indelible in nv 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 so to the
end.


The existence of more than one government
over the region which once owned our flag is
incompatible with the peace, the power, and
the happiness of the people


The preservation OF our Union was the sole
ayowed object for which the war was com.
menced. 1t should have been conducted for
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 have
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 compro-
mise. 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 con.
tnue to be the indispensable condition in any
settlement. So soon as 1t is clear, or even prob
able, that our present adversaries are ready for
peace upon the basis OF the Union, we should
exhaust all the resources Of craftsmanship
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, re-establlsh 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, although
unexpressed, the sentiment Of the convention,
any one State is willing to return to the Union,
1t should be received at once, with full guar
anty Of all its constitutional rights.


IL frank, earnest, and persistent effort to
obtain these objects should fail, the responsi-
bility for ulterior consequences will fall upon
those who remain in arms against the Union;
but the Union must be preserved at all haz.
ards.


1 could not look in the face Of my gallant
comrades OF the army and navy, who have
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
lives. vast Majority OF our people, whether
In the army or navy or at home, would, as
would, hail with uLbounded joy the perma.
nent restoration @ OF peace, on the basis Of the
effusion Of another drop of blood. But no
peace can be permanent without union.


AS to the other subjects presented in the res
olutions of the convention, need only to say
that should seek in the Constitution of the
United States, and the laws framed in accord
ance herewith, the rule OF my duty and the
limitation OF executive power; endeavor to re-
store economy in the public expenditures, re-
establish the supremacy of law, and, by the
operation Of a more vigorous nationality, re-
sumo our commanding position among the
nations Of the earth.


The condition Of our finances, the deprecia-
tion of the paper money, and the burden there.
by imposed on labor and capital, show the
necessity of q return to a sound 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 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
be borne, should the people ratlfy your choice.
Conscious Of my own weakness, l can only
seek fervently the guidance Of the Ruler OF the
Universe, and, relying on His all-powerful
aid, do my best to restore union and peace to
suffering people, and to establish and guard
their liberties and rights.


1 am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.


Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others, Com
mittee.