Year: 1864

ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, Dept ..


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.


1t is unnecessary for me to say TO you that the
nomination comes to Inc unsought;


am happy to know that when the nominatlon ~ was
The effect of long and varied service IN the army,
during war and peace, has been TO strengthen and
make indellbe in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and flag Of our
country impressed upon me in early youth.


These feelings have thus Tar guided the course d
my life, and must continue to do so to its end.


The existence OF more than one government over
the region which once owned our flag IS incompati.
BILE with the peace, the power and the happinesso OF
The preservation of our Union was the sole ayowed
object for which the war was commenced. II should
have been conducted for that object only, and in
accordance with those principles which took occa-
sion to declare when in active service. . .


Thus conducted, the work Of reconciliation would
have been easy, and might have reaped the bene-
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 IN
our councils, and in the hearts Of the people.


The re-establishment 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
even probable, that our present adversaries are
ready for peace, upon the basis Of tie Union, we
should exhaust all the resources OF statesmanshlp
practiced by civilized nations, and taught by the
traditions of the American people, consistent with
the honor and interests OF the country, 10 secure
such peace, re-establish the Union. and guarantee
for the future the constitutional rights OF every
State. The Union is the one condition oil peace
we ask no more;


pressed the sentiment of tho 0onyontion, as IL i Of
the people they represent that when any one otate
is willing return to the Union, should be receiy-
ed at once, with full guarantee OF all its eonsttu-
tional rights.


liza frank, earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ute-
rOr consequences will fall upon those who remain IN
arms against the Union. But the Union must be
preserved at all hazards. - EN
Of the army and navy who have survived so many
bloody battles, and tell them that their abors and
brethren had been in vain that we had abandoned
that Union for which we have so often periled our
lives. ,


and navy or at home would. as L would, hail with
unbounded JOY the permanent restoration o. 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, and
the laws framed in accordance herewith the rule OF
my duty, and the limitations Of executive power
endeavor to restore economy IN public expenditure.
re-estabish the supremacy Of law, and by the asser-
ton Of n more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations Of the
The condition of our finances, the depreciation Of
the paper money and the burdens thereby imposed
on labor and capital show the necessity q return
to sound financial system whilst the rights OF cti-
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 10 be
borne should the people ratify your choice.
Conscious of my own weakness. ] car. only seek
verse. and, relying on His all powerful aid, domy
best to restore Union and peace to suffering peo.
pie, and establish and guard their liberties and


am. gentlemen, very respectfully,


Your obedient servant,
. -,H t GEORGE b. MCCLELLLN.


Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others, committee.