The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-05
GOVERNOR HENDRICKS LETTER.

GENTLEMEN-I have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt OF your communication, IN which you have
formally notified me of my nomination by the Ma
tional Democratic Convention at St Louis 40 their
candidate for the Office OF Vice President
of the United States. 1t is a nomination
which l had neither expected desired, aud
yet recognize and appreciate the nigh honor done
me by the Convention. Tho choice Of such a body,
pronounced with such unusual unaniniy, and accom-
panied with so generous expression OF esteem and
confidence ought outweigh all merely personal de-
sires and preferences Of my IL is with this feel
ing, and trust also from deep of public duty.
that shall now accept The nomination, and shall abide
the judgment OF my counsrymen.
IL would have been impossible for me to accept the
nomination II could not heartily indorsc the pati
OF the convention l graii1ed, therefore, to be
able unequivocay to declare that agree in the princi-
plies, approve the policies and sympathize with the
purposes enumerated in that platform.
STANDARD or REFORM
The institutions of our country have been sorcly
tried by the cxigcnoics OF civil war, and since the
peace, by selfish and corrupt management OF public
affairs. which has shaned before civilized man
kind by unwso and partial legislation every in.
dustry and of the people have been made to
suffer, and in the Executive departments of the
government dishonesty, rapaci,y, and venality have
debauched the public service. Men known be
unworthy have been promoted, while others have been
degraded for fidelity Official duty. Public Office
been made tho means OF private profit, and the
try has been offended TO class OF men who boast
the friendship of the sworn protectors of tho state
amassing fortunes by deiraudng the public treasury
and by corrupting the servants of the people. In
such crisis OF the history Of the country | re-
joicc that the Convention at st. Louis has so
noby raised the standard OF reform Nothing can DC
well with with affairs until the public con-
science, shocked by tho enormous evils and abuses
which prevail, shall have demanded and compelled an
unsparing reformation Of national administra alton,
"in its head and in its members In such
a reformation the removal of single officer even
the President. Is comparatively n ;rling matter II
the system which he represents, and which has ios-
tered him he has fostercd IT, Is suffered to remain
The President alone must not be made the scapegoat
for the cnormtcs of the system whoh nfects the pub
lie service and threatens the destruction Of nstt-
TONS In respects hold that the present Exccu-
tive has been the victim, rather than the author
Of that vicious system Congressional and party lead
ers have been stronger than the President No ono
could have created it, and tho removal OF one
amend it, 1t is thoroughly corrupt, and must
be swept remorsccssly away by the selection of gov
eminent composed OF elements entirely now and
pledged to radical reform.
The first work OF reform must evidently DO the
restoration of the normal operation of the constitution
OF the United States with all its amendments The
necessities OF cannot be pleaded in time of peace
The right of local self government guaranteed by
the constitution OF the Union must be everywhere
restored and tho centralized almost personal impe
ralism which has been practsed DO done away
the first principles OF the Republic Will be lost.
nErEAL OF THE RESUMPTION cLAusx
Our financial system OF expedicnts must be reformed
Gold and silver tho standards of values and
our national currency will not be perfect medium OF
exchange until shall be convertible at the pleasure
OF the holder. As have heretofore said, one de-
srcs return TO specie payments more earnestly
than do; but do not believe that 1t will can
be reached in harmony with the interests OF
the people by artificial for the contraction OF
the currency, any more than believe wealth or per-
prosperity be created by imitation OF the
currency The laws OF finance not be disregarded
with impunty. The financial policy OF the govern
mcnt IT, indeed, It deserves the name OF policy
q, all, has been in disregard OF those laws
and therefore has disturbed commercial and
business confidence rs we'll as hindcrcd return to
specie payments Ono feature OF that policy vas the
umption clause of the act of 1875 which has en-
barrassed the country by the anticipation OF compul
sorry resumption for which preparation has been
practicable The repeal OF that clause is necessary
that tho natural operation OF financial laws
may be restored that the business OF the country may
be relieved from its disturbing and depressing innn.
cncc and that return to specie payments may be
facilitated by the substitution of wiser and pru.
dent legislation, which shall mainly rely judicous
system Of public economies and Official retrenchmcns
and above ALL the promotion OF prosperity in all the
industries Of the people.
RESUMPTION BACKWARD STEP.
do not understand the repeal OF the resumption
clause of the act OF 1875 to be backward step in our
return specie payment, but tho recovery of false
stcp and although the repeal may, for time be pre-
vented, yet the determination OF the democratic party
on this subject has been distinctly declared.
There should be hndrances put in the way Of a re-
turn 10 specie payments "As such n hindrance "
says the platform OF the st. Louis Convention I'VE de.
nouncc the resumption clause of 1875 and demand its
repeal"
Thoroughly believe that by public economy by
official retrcnchmcnts, and by wise nuancc enabling us
to accumulate the precious metals, assumptions an
carly period Is possible without producing artincia
scarcity OF currency" or disturbing public CONNER
cal credit and that these reforms. together with the
restoration OF pure government, will restore general
conf dencc encourage the useful investment OF capital
furnish employment TO labor and relieve the country
from the paralysis OF hard times"
with the industries OF the people there have been
frequent inericrenccs Our platform truly says tina,
many Industries have been Impoverished suhsidzc
few Our commerce has been degraded to an in cror
position the high seas manufactures have been d.
minished agriculture has been embarrassed, and the
distress Of the industrial classes demands that these
things shall be reformed.
The burdens Of the people must also be lighcned by
great change in our system OF public expenses The
prcnigate expenditures which increased taxation from
IS per capita In 1850 TO SIS In 1870 tells story
Of our need OF fiscal reform.
CHINESE QUESTION.
Our treaties with foreign powers should also bc re-
viscd and amended far they leave citizens of
foreign birth particular less in any
try on earth than they would be II they had born
upon our own soil; and the Ubiquitous coolic system
which through the agency Of wealthy companies i'm
ports Chinese bondmcn and establishes species OF
slavery and intcrcrcs with the just rewards of labor