New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-11
Governor Hayes, Letter of Acceptance.

Hayes. accepting the Republican nomina-
ton for the presidency:
COLUMBUS, Ohio. July 8, 1876.
Hon. Edward Mcpherson Hon William A. Howard,
Hon. Joseph H. Rainey and others. Committee
OF the Republican Satioua. ConventIsn;
GEN1LEMES-In reply to your communi.
cation of June Il, by which am informed OF
nv nomination for the Office of President OF
the United States by the Republican Ma
tional Convention at Cincinnati, accept
the nomination with gratitude, hoping that
under Providence shall be able II elected
TO execute the duties Of the high Office as q
trust for the benefit of all the people. do
not deem in necessary to enter upoa any
extended examination of the declaration OF
principles made by the convention. The
resolutions are in accord with my views,
and heartily concur in the principles they
announce.
In several Of the resolutions, however,
questions are considered which are OF such
importance that deem it proper to briefly
express nv convictions n regard to them.
The fifth resolution adopted by the con.
yention is of paramount interest. More
than forty years ago q system OF making
appoin -ments to Office grew up based upon
the max,m. to the vic.ers belong the spoIls.
Tbs old rule, the true rule, that honesty.
capacity and fidelity constitute the only
real qualifications tor office, and that there
is no other claim, gave place to the idea that
party services were to DE chiefly considered.
All parties, in practice, have adopted this
syetem. 1t has been essentially modified
since its first introduction. Irhas not. how
ever, been improved. At first the President
either directly or through the heads OF de-
pactments, made all the appointments, bue
the appointing power. IN many cases. passed
into the control OF members OF Congress.
The offices in these cases have become not
merely rewards tor party services, put re-
wards for services to party leaders. ms
system DESTROYS the independence CT the
separate departments Of the government.
1t tends directly 20 extravaganza and OH
ciaI incapac!ty. It is temptation to dis.
honesty. L. hinders and impairs the careful
supervision and strict accountability 0y
which alone faithful and efficient pubic
services can be secured. It Obstructs the
prompt removal and sure punishment OF
the unworthy, and in every way degraoes
the civil service and character OF the gov
eminent.
iority of the members Of Congress, to be an
intoleraols burden and an unwarrantable
hindrance to the proper discharge OF Their
legitimate duties It ought to be abolished.
The reform should be thoroughly radical
and complete. We should return to the
principles and practices of the founders OF
the government, supplying by legislation,
when needed, that which was formerly es-
tablished by custom. They neither ex'
pected nor desired from the pubic ofhcer
any partisan service. They meant that
public officers should owe their whole SER
vice to the government and to tie people.
They meant that the officer should be Sc
cure in MS tenure Of office as long as his
personal character remained untarnlshed
and the performance Of his duties satlstac-
torv. If elected shall conduct the admin
istration of the government upon these
principles, and ali constitutional powers
vested in the executive will De employed
to establish thls reform.
The declaration of principles by the Gin
cinnati convention makes no announcement
ir favor Of a single presidential term. l do
not assume 10 add to that declaration, but
believing that the restoration OF the civil
service to the system established by W ash
ington, and followed by tae early Presl-
dents. can be best accomplished by an
executive who is under no ptatIon TO
use the patronage Of his office 20 promote
his own reelection, desire to perform what
l regard as duty in stating now my innex'
ible purpose, If elected, not 10 % CANAL
date for a second term.
On the currency question l have ire.
quentiy expressed my views IN pubic, ana
stand by my record on this SUBJECT re-
gard all the laws of the United States relat-
ing to the payment of the public indebted
ness, the legal tender notes included, as con-
shutting pledge and moral obligation OF
the government, which must in good falth
be kept.
Ii is NV conviction that the feeling of un-
Certainty. inseuarable from an irredeema-
ble pauer currency, with it's fluctuations OF
values, is one of the great obstacles TO
revival of confidence and business, ana to
return OF prosperity. That uncertainty
can be ended in but one way-the resump-
ton OF specie payment; but the longer the
instability connected with our present
money system is permitted to continue the
greater will be the injury lnhlcted upon
our economical interests ana 81! classes OF
society. If elected, l shall approve every
appropriate measure to accomplish the 0e-
sired end, and shall oppose any step Dack-
ward.
The resolution with respect to the puoHc
school system is one which should receive
the hearty support of the American people.
Agitation upon the subject is to be appre
hendad until by constitutional amendment
the schools are beyond all danger OF sects'
rian control or Interference. Inc hepuo-
lican party is pledged to secure sucn an
amendment.
Tie resolution of the convention on the
subject of the permanent pacidcation of the
country and the complete protection OF an
its citizens in the free enjoyment OF al their
constitutional rights is timely and OF great
Importance. The condition of the Southern
States attracts the attention and commands
the sympathy Of the people OF tho whole
Union in her progressive recovery from the
effects Of the war.
Their first necessity is an intelligent and
honest administration of government, which
viii protect all classes of citizens in all
their political and private rights. What
the South most needs is peace, and peace
depends upon the supremacy Of the law.