The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-13
Gov. Hayes Letter of Acceptance.

IS the letter of Governor Hayes, accepting the
Republican nomination for the Presidency
COLUMBUS ONO, JulyS, 1876.
Hon. Edscayd McPAerson, Hon. lillian A
Hosrard, Hon Joseph II. Raaney, and others.
Committee Of Tie Republican National Con-
cention
GENTLEMEN In reply to your official com
nluncation of June II, by which | AM in
formed OF my nomination for the Office OF
President CT the United States by The Repuo-
ilcan National Convention at Cincinnati, ac
cept the nomination with gratitude, hoping
that under Providence | shall be able, if elect
ed, to execute the duties of the high Office as a
trust for the benefit of I'LL the people. lido not
dcein it necessary TO enter upon 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
u Inc resolutions, however, questions are con-
sdercd which are of such Importance that |
deem it proper to briefly express
MY CONVICTIONS IN REGARD no THEM.
The fifth resolution adopted by the convcu-
ton is OF paramount interest. More than forty
years ago system Of making appointments to
Office grew up, based upon the maxim ito the
vlctors belong the spoils.' The old rule, the
true RUE, that honesty, capacity, and fidelity
constitute the only real qualifications for Of
flee, and that there is no other claim, gave
place to the idea that party services were to be
chiefly considered, All parties, in practice,
nave adopted tins SYSTEM 1t has been essen
TALLY modified since its first introduction. 1t
has not, however, been improved. At first the
President, either directly or through the heads
OF departments, 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 haye be-
come not merely rewards for party services
but rewards for services to party leaders This
system destroys the independence of the sep
aratc departments of the Government. ut
tends directly to extravaganza and official in
capacity Ii Is temptation to dishonesty. 1t
hinders and impairs that careful supervision
and strict accountability by which alone faith
full and efficient public service can be secured
1t obstrncts the prompt removal and sure
punishment OF the unworthy. In every way
IT DEGRADEs 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 intolcrable
burden and an understandable hindrance to the
proper discharge of their legitimate duties. 1t
ought to be abolished. The reform should be
thorough, radical and complete; we should re-
turn to the principles and practice of the
founders OF the Government supplying by
legislation, when needed, that which was for
mery established by custom; they neither cx-
pected nor desired from the public officer any
partisan service; they meant that public officers
should owe their whole service to the Govern
ment and to the people; they meant that the
officer should be secure i'm his tenure as lono as
his personal character remained untarnished
and the performance of his duties satisfactory.
Il elected shall conduct the administration
| OF the Government upon these principles, ard
all constitutional power vested in the Executive
will be employed to establish this reform. The
declaration of principles by the Cincinnati
| Convention makes no announcement in favor
of single Presidential term. | do not assume
| to add to that declaration; but believing that
the restoration OF the civil service to the system
established by Washington and followed by
the early Presidents, can be best accomplished
| by an Executive who is under no temptation
to use the patronage of his Office to promote his
own reelection, desire to perform what re-
gard as duty in stating now my inflexible
purpose, if elected, not to be candidate
FOR ELECTION TO A SECOND TERM.
| On the currency question 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, tie lcgal-tender notes
included, as constituting pledge and moral
obligation OF the Government Which must in
good faith tie kept. Ii is my conviction that
the feeling Of uncertainty inseparabe from an
irredeemable paper currency, with its 1ucttla.
tons Of value, is one Of the great obstacles to
4 revival of confidence and business and to a
return Of prosperity. That uncertainty can be
| ended in but one way.
| THE RESUMPTION OF SEECIE PAY NlENTs.
But the longer the Instability connected
with our present money system is permitted to
continue the greater will he the injury inflicted
| upon our commercial interests and all classes
| OF security. If elected ! shall approve every
| appropriate measure to accomplish the desired
end. and shall oppose any step backward. The
| resolution with respect to the public school
system is one which should receive the hearty
support of the American people, Agitation
upon this subject is to be apprellendcd until by
constitutional amendment the schools are placed
beyond
ALL DANGER OF sECTARfAN CONTROL
or interference. The Republican party is
| pledged TO secure such an amendment. The
IT solution OF the col:yention on the subject of
the permanent paclication of the country and
the complete protection of all its citizens in the
free enjoyment OF all their constitutional rights
is timely and Of great Importance. The con
dtlon of the Southern States attracts the atten-
ton and commands the sympathy Of the people
of the whole Union in their progressive rccov-
cry from the effects Of the war. The first ne
ton of government which will 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 LAW.
There can be no enduring peace if the con-
stitutional rights of any portion of the people
are hahitlally disregarded. A. division of poll
| tica parties. resting merely upon distinction
OF race. Cir uron sectional lines, is always I'M
fortunate, and may be disastrous. The welfare
Of the South, alike with that OF every other
part of the country, depends upon the attrac-
| tons it can offer to labor, to immigration, and
to capital !; but laborers will not 90, and ca
| pital will not venture, where the Constitution
and the laws arc set at defiance, and distlac-
! tioll, apprehension. and alarm take the place
OF peace loving and laW-abiding social life. All
| parts of the Constitution are sacred, and most
| be sacredly observed-the parts that are new,
no less than the parts that are old. The moral
and material prosperity of the Southern States
can be most effectively advanced by q hearty
and generous recognition of the rights of all
by all, a recognition without reserve or excep-
ton. With such recognition fully accorded,
| it will be practicable to promote, by the in
| tluenee of all legitimate agencies of the GEN
| cral Government, the effort of the people Of
these States to obtain for themselves the bless
ings of honest and capable local government,
Ii elected, shall consider it not only my duty.
but it will be my ardent desire to labor for the
attainment of this end. Let me assure my
countrymen of the Southern States that, il
| shall be charged with the duty OF organizing
| r hn