Wilmington journal., 1876-07-14
GOV. Hayes accepts the situation
CINCINNATI. July 9.


Hayes accepting the republican nom
nation for the Presidency:
'I do not deem it necessary to ente
upon any extended examination of th
declaration of principles made by tn
accord with my views, and I hearth
concur in the principles they al
nounce. Iu several of the resolutions
however, questions are considere
which are of such importance that
convictions in regard to them. Th
fifth resolution adopted by the cor
vention is of paramount interest. Nor
than forty yenrs ago system of max
ing appointments to office grew d
! based upon the maxim. 80 the victor
belong lie spoils. The old rule, tn
true rule, that honesty. OPACITY an,
fidelity constitute the only real quail
tications for office, and that there i
no other claim. gave place to the ide
that party services were to be cheer
fully considered. All parties il
practice have adopted this system
l. has been essentially modified sine
its Introduction. 1t has not, however
been improved. At first the Presiden
either directly or through the heads O
departm ents, made all the appoint.
ments ; but gradually the appointing
power, in many cases. passed into the
| control of members of Congress. The
offices in these cases have become moi
merel Y rewards for party service, but
rewards for services to party leaders,
This system destroys the independence
of the separate departments of the
government, and it tends directly to
extrayagance and officialincapacity. II
is temptation to dishonesty it him,
ders ard impairs that careful supervi-
sion and accountability by which alone
faithful aud efficient public service can
be secured. It obstructs the prompt
removal and sure punishment of the
unworthy. In every way it degrades
the evil service, and the character of
the government. 1T is felt, [ am con-
ii lent, by II large majority of the mem
bers of Congress to be an intOierable
burden, and an unwarrantable him
drance 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 re principles and
practice of the founders of the govern
ment ; supplying by legislation, when
needed, that which WIS formerly es-
tablished by custom. They neither
expected nor desired from the public
any partisan service. They meant that
public officers should owe their whole
service to the government and to the
people. They meant that the officer
should be secure in his tenure as long
as his personal character remained un-
tarnished and the performance of his
duties satisfactory. If elected 1 shall
conduct the administration of the gov
erDment upon these principles, and all
constitutional powers vested in the
executive will be employed to estab-
lish this reform.
The declaration of principles by the
Cincinnati convention makes no an
nOuncement in favor of a single Dresi>
Dental term. [ do not assume to add
to that declaration, but, believing that
the restoration of the civil service to
the system established by Washinton,
and followed by the early Presidents,
can be best accomplished by AN exes:u-
tive who is uuder..po temptation to usa
the patronage of his Office TO promote
his own re-clt ction. / desire to per-
form what | regard as duty iii at ting
now my intlex bic purpose, if elected,
not to be candidate for election TO
a second term On the currency Ques-
ton l have frequently expressed my
views in public, and | stand 10y my
record on this subject. / regard all
the laws of the United States relating
TO the payment of the public Indebted
ness, the legal tender notes included,
As constituting a pledge and moral
obligation of the government. which
must in good faith be kept. 1t is my
conviction that the feeling of uncer-
,ainty inseparable from an irredeem-
Able paper currency, with its fiuctua>
ions of values, is one of the great OBJ
stacIes to revival of confidence and
business and to a return of prosperity.
That uncertainty can be ended in but
one way-the resumption of specie
payments. But the longer the insta-
oility connected with our present
system is permitted to continue
5he greater will be the injury inflicted
upon our economical interests, and all
classes of society. II elected 1 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
;he American people. Agitation upon
his subject is to be apprehended un-
Ill by constitutional amendment the
schools are placed beyond all
langer of sectarian control or inter
,erence. The Republican party is
pledged to such an amendment. The
'e>Olutiou of the convention on the |
subject of the permanent pacitication
If the country and the complete pro-
ection of all its citizens in the free |
eHjoyment of all their constitutional |
lights is timely and of great I'M
Dortance. The condition of the South |
ern States attracts attention, and COM |
the sympathy of the people of |
he whole Union in their progressive |
'ecovery from the effects of the war. |
Their first necessity is an intelligent |
and honest administration of govern
nent, which will protect all classes of |
;itizens in all their political and pri- |
rate rights. What the South most |
leeds is ''peace," and peace depends |
lpon the supremacy of law.
There will be no enduring peace if |
he constitutional rights of any portion
If the people are habitually disre-
,arded. A division of political par
les, resting merely upon distinctions
If race, or upon sectional lines is al
ways unfortunate, and may be disas- !
rons. The welfare of the South, alike |
With that of every other part of the !
country, depends upon the attraction |
t can offer to labor, to immigration |
md to capital, but laborers will not go,
md capital will not he ventured, where |
he Constitution and the laws are set |
It defiance, and detraction, apprehen-
lion and alarm take the place of pence |
owing and peace abiding, social life.
All parts of the constitution are sacred !
md must be sacredly observed, the |
parts that are new no less than the !
parts that are old. The moral and
prosperity of the Southern
States can he most effectually ad yanced |
Dy q hear Y aud generous recognition
If the rights of all by all, recogni
ion without a reserve or exception,
With such n recognition fully accorded
t will be practicable to promote by
he influence of all legitimate agencies