Litchfield enquirer., 1876-07-20
Hayes Letter of Acceptance.

Hon. Eltoard McPhersos. Hon. Wns. A
 HosOard. Hon. Jos. Fl. RGiaey aaad
 others, Committee of the Nationos Re
 publican COnuealtion.
 GENTLEMEN: In reply to yonr oficia
 communication of June IT, by which an
 informed of my nomination for the office
 of President of the United States by tho
 Republican National Convention at Gin.
 cinnati, I accept the nomination with
 gratitude, hoping that under providence
 l shall be able, if elected, to execute the
 duties of the high office as trust for the
 benefit of all the people.
 I do not deem it necessary to enter up
 on any extended examination of the de- claration of principles made by the conyen'
 tion, 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 snch importance
 tlat 1 deem it proper to briefly express my convictions ill regard to them.
 The sixth resolution adopted by the convention is of paramount interest. More than forty years ago system of making appointments to office grew up, based up on the maxim, ito the victors belong the I spoils." The old rule. the true rule, that honesty, capacity and fidelity constitute the only real qualifications for 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. It has been essentially modified since its first intro duction; it has not, however, been im- proved.
 | c., { "A 1 through the heads of departments. made all the appointments. Bat gradually the l appointing power in many cases passed into the control of the members of Con- gress. The offices ill these cases have become not merely rewards for party ser vices, but rewards for services to party leaders. This system destroys the inde- l pendence Of tine separate departments of the Government. ''It tends directly to extravaganza and official incapacity:" 1t is | a temptation to dishonesty; it flinders and impairs that careful supervision and strict accountability by which alone faith l full and efficient public service can be se- cured; 1t Obstructs the prompt removal and sure punishment of the unworthy; in | every way it degrades the civil service and the character of the Government. It is felt, am confident, by large major | ity of the members of Congress to be an intolerable burden and an unwarrantable intolerance to the proper discharge of their legitimate duties. 1t ought to be abolished The reform should be thorough, radical and complete. We should return to the principles and prac- tice of the founders of the Government supplying by legislation, when needed, that which was formerly the established custom. They neither expected nor de- sired from the public officers any partisan service. They meant that public officers should give their whole service to the Gov ernment and to the people. They meant that the officer should be secure in his tenure as long as his personal character remained untarnished and the perfor- nance of hls duties satisfactory. If elect ed, shall conduct the administration of the Governmept upon tho principles, and all constitutional powers vested in the Executive will be employed to establish this reform. The declaration of princi- pies by the Cincinnati Convention makes no announcement in favor of 8 single Presidential term. I do not assume to add to the declaration; but, believing that the restoration of the civil service to the system established by Washington and AOlAo"Cu UAO OuAA ACc1OCAOo CdA OO best accomplished by an Executive who is under no temptation to use the patron age of his office to promote his own re- election, I desire to perform what I regard as a duty in stating now my infex- ible purpose, if elected, not to be, candi- date for election to a second term.
 On the currency question have fre- quentIy expressed my views in public, and stand by my record on this subject; l regard all the laws of the United States relating to the payment of the public in- debtedness, the legal-tender notes inclu- ded, as constituting pledge and moral obligation of the Government which must in goodfaith be kept. It is my conviction that the feeling of uncertainty inseperable from an irredeemable paper currency with it's fluctuations of value IS one of the great obstacles to a revival of confidence and business and to return of prosperi- ty. That uncertainty can be ended i'll but one way-the resumption of specle pay ments; but the longer the instability of our money system Is permitted to con- tinue, the greater will be the injury in- ficted upon our economical interests and all classes of society. If elected shall approve every appropriate measure to ac- complish the desired end, and shall op- yose any step backward The resolution with respect to the public school system is one which should receive the hearty support of the American people. Agita- tion upon this subject is to be apprehen- ded, until by constitutional amendment the schools are placed beyond all danger of sectartan control or interference. The Republican pa.ty is pledged to secure such an amendment. The resolution of the convention on the subject of the per. manent justification of the country, and the complete protection of all it's cltizens in the free enjoyment of all of their con- stltutional rights, is timely and of great importance. The condition of the South. ern States attracts the attention and com n1ands the sympathy of the people of the whole Union. In their progressive recov- cry from the effects of the war, their first ministration of Government which will protect all classes of citizens in their po- litical and private rights. What the South most needs is .speace," and peace depends upon the supremacy of the law. There can be no enduring peace if the constitutional. rights of any portion of the people are habitually disregarded. A di- vision of political parties resting merely upon sectional lines is always unfortunate, and may be disastrous. The welfare of the South, alike with that of every other part of the country, depends upon the at-' fractions it can offer to labor and imml- grafton and to capital But laborers will not go and capital will not be, ventured where the Constitution and laws are set at defiance, and distraction, apprehension and alarm take the place of peace. loving and law-abiding social life. All parts of sacredly observed-the parts that are new no less than the parts that are old. The moral and natural prosperity of the South ern States can be most effectually adyanc- ed by hearty and generous recognition of the rigLts of all, by all-a recognition without reserve or exception. With such a recognition fully accorded it will be