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Gen. Mcclellan Accepts The Nomination

Gen. Mcclellan Accepts The Nomination image
Parent Issue
Day
16
Month
September
Year
1864
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Mew York, Sept. 3, 1864. Major-Qeneral Oeorge B. McCleflau : Sik - The undersigned wore appointed a committee by the National Democratie Convention, whicli met at Chicago, on the 29th of August, to adviso you of your unanimous noiuiuation by that body as the candidato of the democratie party for Presideut of the Uoited States, ■ and also to present to you a copy of ! the proceedings and rejolutions of tho couveution. It gives us great pleaaure to perform tnis dnty, and to act as tho representatives of that convention, whose cleliberations were witnessed by a vast assemblage of citizens, who a'tended and watehed its proeeedings with intense interest. Be assured that tbow for whoui we ppeak were animated with the most earnest, devoted, and prayful desiro for the salvation of the American Union, and the preservation of the eonstitution of the United States; and that the accomplisbment of tbese objects was tbe guiding and impeliing motive in every mind. And we may be permitted lo add that their purpose to maintain that Uuion is manifested in their selection as their candidate of one whose life ha3 been devoted to its cause, while it is their earnest hope and confident belief, that your election will restore to our country udíou, peaco ar.d coustitutional liberty. W' havo the honor to be, jour obfidieut servants HORATIO &EYMOUR, Chairnan. JOHN BIKI.KR, of California. AI.FRKI) H. KIWERTON. of Insana. ISAAC I.AWRF.XCR, of Rhorle IsVnd. JOHN' MKKR1TT, of Delaware JOHN CAIN, of Verroont. HUGH Ml-CI'RDY, of Michigan. JOgEPH K. SMITIl.of Maine. UEOROE H. CARMAN.of Marylan.i. BKNJAMIN STARK.ifOreg..n. JOnN vt. nOÜGiiJ, oflllinoi. CHABLEj NEGUS, of Iow. JONH II. STH.ES, of l'ennsylvanin. WIISON SHANNON, of Kansas, J (5. ABBuTT f M:ssachuaetts. C. II BF.RRY, oí Minnesota. JAME9 GUTHRIE, of Kentncky. CHAK1.KS A. WIUKLIFFE.nf Kentucky. C. (;. V. HARRINÜTON, of New Hampshire. G "CO. W. MORGAN, of Ohio. ALFKKU K BURR, of Connechciit. THEOriOHK RUNYÜN, of New Jersey. WII.TER r. HL'RCH, of Missouri. JOHN A. GREEN, Jr..of Xew York. YV. T. G.U,LOVAY,of Wisconsin. GENERAL Jl'CLELLAs's REPLY. Ouange, N. J., Sept. 8. 1864. Gentlemen - I have the honor to acknowledge tbe receipt of your letter, informing me of my nomination by the Democratie National Convention, recently as3embled at Chicago, as their candidate at the r.cxt election for President of the Uaited States. It is unneeessary for me to say to you that this nomiuation comes to unsought. I ani happy to know that when the noiuination 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, ha9 been to etrengthen and make indeliblo in my mind and beart the love and reverence for the Union, Oonstitutiou, laws and flag of our country, impreesed on me in early youth. These feelings have thus far guided the course of my life, and must continue to da so to its end. Tho esistence of more tlnn oae government over tbe región whieb once owned our flag is incompatible with the peace, the power, and the happiness of the peo1pi e, The preservation of our Union was tïte sole avowed object for which tbe war was cornmenced. It should bave been' conducted for that object only, and in aeeordnee with those principies wliich I taok occasion to declare when iu active service. Thus conducted, the work of reeonstruction would have been easy, and we might have reaped the benefits of our mauy victories on land anti sea. The Union was originally formed by the exercise of a spirit of conciiiation and compromise. To rettore and preserve it the same spirit must provaiJ in our conncils and in the hearts of the people. The re-establishment of the Union in all its integrity is, and must continue to be, tbe indispensable condilíon in any settlement. So soon as it is clear, or even probable, tbat our present adversaries are ready for peace upon the basis of tho Union, we should exhaust all the resources of statesman8hip practiced by civilized uations, and taught by the traditions of the American people, consistent with tho honor and interests of the country, to secure such peace, re-establish the Union and guarantee for the future the constitutional rights of cvery State. The Union is the one condition of peace, we aak no more. Let me add, what I doubt not was, ahhough unexpressed, the sentiment of the conventiou as it is of the people thev represent, that when any oue State is willing to returu to the Union it should be reccived at once, with a íull guarantee of all its coustitutionai rights. If a frank, earnest, and persistent effort to obtain those objects should failr the responsibility for the ulterior consequnnces will fall upon those who remai- in arms against the Uuion. But tbc Union must be preservcd at all hazardsI could not look in the face of ray gallant comrades of the army and navy who have stavivett so raany bloody battlcs, and teil them that their labors and the sacrifice óf so nniiiy of our slain and woundcd brethrên had been in vain ; that we had ubandoued that Uuion for which wo haii so oftun pcriled our lives. A vast nïajority of our people, wlicther the army and na?y or at home, woald, as I would, hail wilh inibowiiled joy, tbt3 permaneut restoration of peace, on the basis of tbe Union and the Constitu tion, without tbe effusion of another drop of blood. JSut no peace can bo perma nent without Union. As to the other subjects preseöted iu the resolutions of the Gonventfo, I need only say that I should seek in the Constitution of the United States, and tho laws ft-nined in accordance therewith the rule ol my dut?, and the limitations of esecutive power ; endoavor to'restoro economy in public expenditure,J re-establish tho supremaey of law, and by the of a mere vigorous nationality, resuma our commandiug position among the natïons of tho earth. The condition of our finances, the depression of the paper inoncy, and tho burthena thereby imposed on labor and capital, show $be neccsity of a to J a sound financial systeni ; while the righta of oitizens, aud tbe rigbts of States, and tlie binding authority of law over President, aruiy, and people, are subject8 of not less vital mportance iu war tban in peaco. Believing that the views here expresSted are thosc of the convention and the people you represent, I accept the nomination. I realize tbe weight of the responsibility to be borne should the people ratify your ehoice. Conscious of my own weakness, I can only seek fervently the guidance of the Ruler of tho univerae, and reljring on His all powerful aid, do niy best to restore anión aud peace to tbe sufferin pcople, and to establish and guard their libertieg and rights. I ara gei)tlemen. r?seotfuUy, Your obrtpdit'iit servant, OEO. B. McCLELLAN, To Hon. Horotio Seymour and otliers of the Ociininittee.

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Old News
Michigan Argus