New-York tribune., 1876-07-10
THE LETTER.

JOS. II. RASEy, and others, COMMITTEE Of inc
National Republican Conrenton.
GENTLEMEN: In reply to your official comnunica-
ton Of June II, by which / am informed of my
nomination for the Office of President of the United
States By the Republican National Convention at
Cincinnati, accept the nomination with gratitude,
hoping that, under Providence, / shall be able, if
elected 10 execute the duties of the high Office as
trust for the benefit Of all the people do not deem
it to enter upon any EXTENDED examination
Of the declaration of principles made by the Con-
ventiou. The Resolutions are in accord with
my views, and | heartily concur in the princi-
pies they announce. In several OF the resolutions,
however questions are considered which are Of such
i'm portance that deem it proper to briefly express
my convictions in regard to them The fifth resolu-
ton adopted by the Convention is Of paramount
interest. More than forty years ago a system of
making appointments TO office grew up, based upon
the maxim "to the victors belong the spoils" The
old rule the true rule that honesty, capacity. and
fidelity constitute the only real quatcationsfor
Office and that there is no other claim. gave place TO
the idea that party services were to be chiefly
considered. All parties in practice have
adopted this system. 1t has been essentially
modified since its first introduction. 1t has
not, however, been improved At first the
President, either directly through the
heads of department made all the appointments,
but gradually the appointing power, in many cases,
passed into the control of members of Congress.
The offices in these cases have become not merely
rewards for party services but rewards for services
To party leaders This system destroys the indie
pendcnco Of the separate departments of the Gov
crnnent. "It teuds directly 10 extravaganza and
official incapacity." II is temptation TO dishon-
es,y il hinders and impairs that careful supervision
and strict accountability by which alone faith
full and efficient public service can be Sc
cured: il obstructs the prompt removal and
sure punishment Of the unworthy; in every
way il tersdes the civil service and the character
of the Government. 1t is felt, am confident by a
large majority of the members of Congress- to be an
intolerable burden and an unwarrantablc hindcrance
10 the proper discharge Of their legitimate duties.
II ought TO be abolished. The reform should be
thorough. radical, and complete. We shon!d return
10 the principles and practice of the founders oi the
GOycTnment-suppyng by legislation, when needed,
that which formerly the established custom"
They neither expected nor desired from the
public officers any partisan service. They meant
tLat public officers should give their whole
vice to the Government and to the people. They
meant that the officer should be- secure in his tenure
a, long a. his personal character remained nutar-
nishci and The performance Of his duties satisia-
tory II elected shall coudnct the administration
OF the 'rp6ft lfhL uir'u lHcnS pllt'pion' oii 't'
constitutional powers vested in the Executive viii
be employed to establish this REFORM Tho
declaration Of principles by the Gin
cnnat Convention makes no announce
mcnt in favor of single Presidential term.
do not assume to add to that declaration hut be-
licvng that the restoration Of the civil service to
the system established by Washington and fol-
lowed 10y the early Presidents can be best accom-
pllshcd by an Executive who is under no temptation
20 Use the patronage of his Office to promote his own
reflection, desire to perform what l regard as
duty in stating now my indexiblc purpose, II
elected, not 10 be a candidate for election to
second term.
On the currency question I have frequently
expressed my views in public, and stand by my
record on this subject regard all the laws of the
United States relating to the payment Of the public
Indebtedness, the legal-tender notes included as
constituting a pledge and moral obligation of the
Government, which must in good faith be kept. 1t
IL my conviction that the feeling of uncertainty in
scparlblc from an irrcdcemablc paper currency,
with it's fluctuations Of value, is one of
the great obstacles to a revival OF conf
den ce and business. and to a return of pros
perty. That uncertainty can be ended IN but one
way-thc resumption of specie payments But the
longer the instability of our money system IL per-
mi;ted 10 continue, the greater will bc the injury
Indicted upon economical interests and all
classes Of society. If elected / shall approve
every appropriate measure to accomplish
the desired end and shall oppose any step back
ward. The resolution with respect To the public
chool system il one which should receive the hearty
Ipport of the American people. Agitation upon
this subject il to be apprehended until by constitu-
tiona amendment the schools are placed beyond all
Danger of sectarian control or interference. Tho
IL NIL l0ad tn N m
ment.
The resolution of the Convention on the subject of
the permanent pacifcation Of the country, and the
complete protection Of all its citizens III the free en-
ioyment of all of their constitutional rights, IL
timely and of great importance. The condition OF
the Southern States attracts the attention anu COLI
mands thcsympahy of the people OF the whole ohoh'
In their progressive recovery from the effects
of the war their rst necessity il an intelligent and
honest administration of government which VIII
protect all classes OF citizens In their potcal ana
private rights. What the South m'at needs is
peace and peace depends upon the supremacy of
the law. There can be enduring peace II the con-
sttutional rights of any portion Of the people are
habtuallv disrepartled A division Of political par
ties resting merely upon sectional lines is always un-
fortunate and may be disastrous. The welfare OF
the South. alike with that Of every other
part of this country depends upon the at
fractions il can offer to labor and Immigration,
and to capital. But aborers will not go. and capt.
tai will not be yentured where the Constitution and
the laws set at defiance, and distraction, appre-
hensOn and alarm take the place OF peace, loving,
and law abiding social life. All parts of the Consti
tuition are sacred and must be sacredly Observed,
the parts that new no less than the
parts that are old. The moral and national
prosperity Of the Southern States can be most