Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-10

their duty and 20 to work heart and soul tor
the success of the ticket. He returned the
thanks of rhe speakers for the attention and
good order observed, and 10 closing the meet
ing, proposed three cheers for Tilden and lien.
bricks, which we're given by all present, aDd
the meeting broke up amidst a scene OF the
widest enthusiasm.
All of the speeches we're excalleot, and the
speakers we're frequently Interrupted BY ap-
plause aud cheers. The meeting, taken alto
gethcr, was the graudest Que held here for
many years.
After the close of the meeting the speakers
and a few Invited quests were handsomely en-
tertained at the hospitable residence OF George
Washington. esq, just opposite the stand
Letter Of Acceptance.
The following is the letter of Gov. Hayes
accepting the radical domination for the
| Presidency:
COLUMBUS OHIO. July s., 1876.
Hon. Edoard NC Emerson. Hon. William
Howa,d, Hon Joseph FL Rainey, and others
0fMe Committee Of the Republican Conven'
ton
GENTLEMEN In reply to your Official com
muuica,iou of June 18th, by which | am 10.
formed Of my nomination for the office OF Pres
ident of the Urited States by the Republican
National Convention, [ accept The nomination
with gratitude, hoping that, under Providence,
| shall be able. if elected, to execute the duties
Of the high office as a trust FIR the beueit of
all the people.
| don't deem it necessary to enter upon any
extended cxaminali. Of the declaration OF
prime pies made by the convention. The reso.
luton. are in accordance tn my view, and |
heartily concur 10 the principles they announce.
In several of the resolutions, however. ques-
tons are consid. red which are Of such import
ance ID It | deem it proper to briefly express
my CONVICTIONS 10 rig ird TO them.
The fifth resolution adopted by the couven.
ton is of par .nouut interest. More than forty
years ago a system of making appointments to
Office grew up based upon the maxim, ''To the
yictors belong the spoils." The old rule, The
true rule, that bouesty, capacity AID ldellty
constitute the only real qualifications Tor Office,
and that there is 10 other claim, gave place TO
the idea that party services we're to be CHI, hJ
considered. All parties in prac Ice have adopt.
ed this SIS en-. 1t has been esientla y modl-
fed since its first introduction; 1t has not,
however. been improved.
AT first the President, either directly or
through the heads Of departments, made all
TIC appointments u SinooHAy t"S fP'ioN
ing power 10 many cases passed lDto the con-
troll of members oi Congress. The Offices in
these cases have become not merely rewards
ior party service. but rewards for serv ccS TO
party leaders. This sy7;em destroys the It'd.
pendencc OF the separate departments OF he
Governments. ut tends directly to xtraya-
gauce and official incapatity." 1t is a tcmpta.
tion to dishonesty. 1t biuders aad impalrs
that careful supervision and strlc. accountable
ity by which alone faithful and IF mt pubic
service can be secured. 1t ob>'ructs the
prompt removal and sure punishment Of the
unworthy. In every Way it d~cgrades the
civil service and the character Of the Govern
men,. 1t is felt, | am confident, By a large
msj,rity of the members Of Congress to be 40
iutuIerabIe burdcu and an unwarrautable llln-
drance to the proper discharge of their legiti
mate duties. 1t ought to Do abolished. The
reform ought to be thorough, radical and com:
pIete. We should return to the principles and
practice of the GJvernment->upplying by
legislation, when needed, that which WAS FORM
erly established by custom. They neither ex-
pectcd DOR desired irom the public any parrl
san service. They meant that public officers
should owe their whole service to the Govern
officer should b. secure in his tenure as iong
d. III lCl SUDdl Ctlal SlI alo hIiNu SoS
ADD the performance OF bis duties satisfactory.
IF elected | shall conduct the administration of
the Government upon these principles, and all
constitutional powers vested IN the Executive
will be employed to establish this reform.
The declaration of principles by the Ciucln-
natl convention makes 90 announcement 10 IA
vor of a single Presidential term. l do not AS
sumo to add to that declaration, but believing
that the restoration of the civil service to the
system established by Washington aud followed
By the early Presidents can be best accom-
plished by an Executive who is under no temp
tatiou to u,e the patronage OF his Office 10 pro-
mo;c bis own reelection, [ desire 10 perform
what | regard as a duty 10 stating COW my 10
f xible purpose, if elcc:ed, not to be a candi-
date for election to a secotd Term.
% the currency question | have frequently
expressed my views 10 public, and | stand by
my record on this subject. | regard all the
laws Of the United States relating to the pay
ment of the public indebtedness, the legal ten
der notes included, as constituting a pledge
and moral obligation of the Government, which
uust in good faith be kept. 1t is my cop2ic-
tion that the feeling OF uncertainty lnseparatle
from an irredeemable paper currency, with It's
fluctuations of values, IS one OF the great OBJ
s,acles to a revival of confidence aud business,
and to a return of prosperity. That uocer-
tainty can be ended 10 but one way-"the re-
sumption OF specie payments" Blu the long.
err the instability connected with our present
money system is permitted to continue, the
greater will be the Injury Inflicted upon our
| economical interests aud all class S Of society.
II elected, l shall approve every appropriate
measure to accomplish the desired end, aud
shall oppose any step backward.
The resolution with respect to the public
schouI system is ooe which should receive the
hearty support of the American people. Agi-
tstiou up ~ this subj:ct is to be appreheuded
until by constitutional amendment the schools
are placed beyond all danger .: s~ectar;an con-
troll or interference. The Republican party is
pledged to such 40 amendment.
The resolution of the convention on the sub.
jet of permanent paci6catioD of the country
and the complete protection OF all Its citizens
" s-,,o &C oil tbair n ,pstiI,tiop