Year: 1864




ORANGE, \. J September 8.


GENTLEMEN: l have the honor to acknowf
edge the receipt of your letter, informing me-
OF my nomination by the Democratic Nation@
al Convention, recently assembled at Chicago,
as the candidate at the next election for tho
| Presidency Of the United States. It is unnec
essary for me to say to you that this nomina=
ton comes to me unsought. l 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 warand peace has been to-
strengthen and make indelible in my mind
| and heart, the love and reverence for the UE-
ion Constitution, laws and flag of our country
impressed upon me in early youth.
These feelings have thus far gnided tie
course Of my life, and must continue to do so
until its 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 avowS
ed object for which the war was commenced:
1t should have been conducted for that object
only, and in accordance with these principles
which l took occasion to declare when in acS
tive service. Thus conducted, the work of re-
Cancellation would have been easy, and we
might have reaped the benefits our many vics
tories on land and sea.


The Union was originally formed by the ex-
istence of spirit of Cancellation and compro--
mise. Torestore and preserve it the same spirit
must prevail in our councils and in the hearts
Of the people. The recstablishment of the
Union in all its interests must continue to be
the indispensable condition in any settlement.


So soon as it is clear, or even probable, that
our present adyersaries are ready for peace
upon the basis of the Union, we should ex-
haust all the resources of craftsmanship prac-
ticed 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 State. The Union is the only
condition ofpeace. We ask no more. Let me
ask, what doubt not was, although unexpresss
ed, 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, it
should be met at once VITA a full guarantee of
all its constitutional rights If frank, ear
nest and persistent effort to obtain these objects
should fail, the responsibility for ulterior con-
sequences will fall upon those who remain in
arms against the Union, but the Union must be
preserved at all hazards. I could not look in
the face Of my gallant comrades of the army
and navy, who served with me in so many
bloody battles, and tell them that their labors
and the sacrifice Of so many of our slain and
1a1 b0H in Ioio hot
had abandoned that Union for which we have
so often periled our Iives.


A 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 effusion Of
another drop of blood but no peace can be-
permanent without Union.


As to the other subjects presented in the
resolutions of the Convention, need only say
that l should seek in the Constitution of the
United States, and the laws framed in accors
dance Herewith, the rule of my duty and the
limitation of executive power, endeavor to re-
store economy in public expenditures, re-es-
tabli8h the supremacy of our laws by the ops
Grafton of a vigorous nationality, and resume
our commanding position among the nations
of the earth The condition of our finances,
the depreciation of the paper money, and the
burdens thereby imposed upon labor and capis
tai, shows the necessity of return to sound
system


Tha right and the binding authority Of law
over the President the army and people, are
subjects of not less vital Importance in war
than in peace Believing that the views here
expressed ere those Of the Convention and the
people you represent, accept the nomination..
I realize the weight Of the responsibility to be
borne, should the people ratify your ehoice.--
Conscious Of my own weakness, Z can only
seek fervently the guidance Of the Ruler of
the Universe, and relying His all-powerful
aid, do the best to restore Union and peace to-
a suffering people, and to establish and guard
their liberties and rights:


/ am, gentlemen, very respectfully, YouE'
0bedient servant


GEO. B. MCCLELLAN:


To Hon. Horatio Seymour and others, Comsa-
Inittec


Good princes easly obtain good snbiects:nok