Year: 1864

ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, Sept 8.


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


1t 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 indelli Bile in my mind and heart the love and
reverence for the Constitution, laws and flag Of
country impressed upon me in early youth.


These feelings have thus far guided the course 6f
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 happiness 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 we 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 cOnciliation 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-estabishment 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 adversaries are
ready for peace, upon the basis Of tie Union, We
should exhaust all the resources of statesmanship
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-establish the Union. and guarantee
for the future the constitutional rights OF every
we ask no more.


Let me add what doubt not was, although unex.:
pressed the sentiment of the Convention, as it is OF
the people they represent, that when any one State
is willing to return to the Union should be recev-
ed at once, with full guarantee of all its constitu-
tional rights.


II a frank, earnest and persistent effort to obtain
those objects should fail the responsibility for ule-
rior consequences will fall upon those who remain IN
arms against the Union. But the Union must bo
preserved at all hazards.


could not look in the face 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 Union for which we have so often periled our
lives. t
vast majority of our people, whether in the army
and navy or at home, would. as | would, hail with
unbounded Joy the permanent restoration of peace.
on the basis Of the Union under the Constitution.
without the efusion of another dropof blood. But
no peace can be permanent without Union.
As to the other subjects presented in the resolu-
tOns 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-estabsh the supremacy of law. and by the asser-
ton of a more vigorous nationality, resume our
commanding position among the nations OF tho
earth. -
The condition of our finances the depreciation Of
the paper money, and the burdens thereby imposed
labor and capital, show the necessity OF return
10 SOunu undncldl WHltst vi
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 hero expressed are those
of the convention and tho people you represent,
accept the nomination. s,-l
realize the weight Of tho responsibility TO be
borne should the people ratify your choice. l0.7g
Conscious of my own weakness, / can only sock
ferventy the guidance Of the Ruler Of the Uni-1i
verse, and, relying on His all powerful aid, do my
best to restore Union and peace to suffering pe0-
rights. t1Q


am. gentlemen, very respectfully.


ar $3.50 t.,f4 Your obedient servant,


GEORGE B. MoCLELLAN.


Hon. Horatio Seymour, and others, committee. ,,4r