Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-07-18
Gor. hayes. Letter of acceptance.
CINCINNATI, july 9.-The following is
the Letter OF Governor Hayes accepting
the nomination for the Presidency:

the Letter o! Governor Hayes accepting
the nomination for the Presidency:
CoLuMBus, o., July ;, 1876.
Hon. Edward Mcpherson, Hon. WIN. 4.
/ Howard. Hon. }. L. III. Rayney and
/ others OF the Committee OF the RepuG-
lican National Convention:
/ GlAtitmcH In reply 10 your Official
COMMUNICATION OF Juns 10, by which !
am informed of my nomination Tor the
Office OF President OF the Uulled States.
/ b. the Republican Convention ut Cincin-
natl, accept the nomination with gIau'
tude, hoping that under providence shall
he able, Il elected, 10 execute the duties
O! the high Office as q trus, Tor the benefit
OF all The people.
/ 90 not deem II necessary 10 enter up
ON any extended examination OF the dec
| laratiUn OF principles made by the con-
/ ventiOn. Toe resolutions are IN accord
with MY views and | heartily concur in
the principles which they announce. In
several OF the resolutions however,
questions are considered which are OF
such Importance that deem II proper TO
! briefly express my convictions IN regard
/ them.
The fifth resolution adopted by the
convention is OF paramount interest
More than forty eaIs ago system oi
maxim 9 appointments 10 Office grew up,
based upon the maxim, Ito The victors
ueloug the spoils.n The cd rule, the
true rule, that honesty, capacity and
fidelity, constitute the only real qualities
lions Tor office. and that there Is no other
claim, gave place 10 The idea that party
services were chiefly 10 be considered.
All parties in practice have adopted this
system. IL has been essentially modified
since its first Introduction. IL has not,
however, been improved. AT hrst the
President, either directly, OF through The
heads OF departments. made all the ap-
pointments, bu. gradually the appointing
power. In many cases, passed into the
control oi N, moeTs o! Congress. The
Offices in these cases have become lot
merely rewards TOR party services, but
rewards for services 10 party leaders.
The system destroys the independence OF
the separate departments OF tue govern
ment; il tends directly TO cXtlayagaEce
and official incapacJy; It Is y temptation
10 dishonesty; II binders and lmpairs that
careful supervision and strict accounta-
OiIity by which alone faithful and efficient
public service can be secured IL Ubsuucts
the prompt removal and sure punishment
of the unworthy; in every way II degrades
the civil service aud the character OF The
government IL Is felt, am Confident.
by large majority vi the members oil
Congress 10 be an into!erabie burden aud
an unwarrantable hindrance 10 the proper
discharge OF their legitimate duties. II
ought to be abolished. The reform should
be thorough, radical and complete. We
should return 10 the principles aud prac-
lice OF the founders Oi the government,
supplying by legislation. when needed,
that which Was the formerly established
custom. They neither expected nor de-
sired from the public officers any partisan
service; they meant that public officers
should owe their whole service 10 the
government and to the people; they
meant that the officer should be secure IN
his tenure as long Us his personal character
remained uularniShed and the perform
ance of his duties satisfactory. Ii elected,
shall conduct The administration OF the
government upon these principles and all
constitutional powers vested IN the eX-
ecutiye will be employed 10 establish this
reform.
The declaration OF principles By the
Cincinnati convention makes no an
rouncement in favor ot u single presiden-
tial term. l do not assume 10 add that
declaration, but believing that the res-
toration of the civil service TO the sYs-
tenn established by Washington and fol-
lowed by the early presidents. can
besJ be accomplished by an executive
who is under no temptation TO use The
patronage OF his Office 10 promote his own
reelection, desire TO perform what l re
gard as duty in stating now my iniiexl-
BILE purpose, If elected, not TO be can
didate Tor election 10 second term.
On the currency question l have he
quently expressed my views in public
and shall stand by my record on this
subject. ] regard ali the laws OF the
United States relating 10 the payment Of
the public indebtedness, the legal tender
notes included, as constituting pledge
and moral obligation of the government,
which must in good faith, be Kept. IL is
my conviction that the feeling OF unceT-
tainty and insecurity from an irredeema-
BILE paper currency with its fluctuations
OF value, is one OF the great obstacles to
= revival of confidence and business and
10 return to prosperity. That uncer-
tainty can be ended in but one way-the
resumption of specie payment-but the
longer the instability connected with our
present money system is permitted TO
continue, the greater will be the injury
inflicted upon our economical interests