General George B. McClellan of New Jersey (1826-85) was the Democratic nominee for president in the 1864 US election, his running mate being George H. Pendleton of Ohio. McClellan supported the continuation of the Civil War and the restoration of the Union, although the Democratic party platform was opposed to that position. The platform was written by Copperhead Thomas H. Seymour, a radical peace democrat who favoured an end to hostilities without securing Union victory. Seymour and McClellan vied for the party nomination, Seymour unsuccessfully. The effectiveness of the Democratic campaign was damaged when McClellan repudiated his party's platform which promised an end to the war and peace negotiations with the Confederacy. Lincoln was reelected in 1864, and the Democratic nominee's lack of support for the party platform may be partly why. This political pamphlet contains Gen. McClellan's letter of acceptance of the nomination from the National Democratic Convention but also contains some quotations from his correspondence with others to show his consistency on political questions. Afterwards there is a series of quotes from Lincoln advocating the right of secession, his lack of interest in stopping slavery, the emancipation declaration, etc. designed to show a lack of consistency in Lincoln's statements. Also quote from Hon. Reverdy Johnson, Republican Senator who disparages Lincoln and praises McClellan. Comments from southern newspapers (Richmond Enquirer, Mobile Register, etc.) suggest McClellan is a far more dangerous man for the Southern cause. Finally, pro-McClellan speech from Hon. James Guthrie in New Albany, Indiana, letter from Ex-President Millard Fillmore expressing his unhappiness with Lincoln's administration, letters from S. P. Chase, Senator L. Chandler of Michigan, and Hon. John Van Buren. Fascinating piece of Civil War-era political propaganda.
