The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-08-05
Accepting the N0Aaina ton for TIA 9
a Presidency. =

GENERAL HANCOCK's LETTER,
Accepting the ~Nsnination for the
Presidency. =
GovERNoR's ISLAND, N. Y. CITY,)
. July 29tb, 1880.
q GENTLEMEN IL have the honor TO
acknow ledge the receipt of your letter
of July 18th. 1880, apprising me for
mally of my nomination to the office
of President of the United States by
the National Democratic Convention
lately assembled in Cincinnati. l ac-
cept the nomination with grateful ap
probation OF the conf dence reposed
in me.
The principles enunciated by the
Convention are those l have cherished
in the past. and shall endeavor TO
maintain in the future. The thir-
teenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amend-
ments to- the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, embodying the results of
the war for the Union, are inviOlable.
If called TO the Presidency, should
deem it my duty to resist with all my
power any attempt o impair or invade
the full force and effect of the Consti.
tuition, which in every article, section
and amendment, is the supreme law
of the land. The Constitution forms
the basis of the government of Tie
United States. The powers granted
by it to the legislative, executive and
judicial departments, define and limit
the authority of the government.
Powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor pro-
hibited by it to the States, belong to
the States respectively, or to the peO-
pie. The General and State GOvsrn-
ments, each acting in its own sphere
without trenching upon the lawful
Jurisdiction Of the other, constitute
the Union. This Union, comprising
general government with general
powers, and State governments with
State powers for purposes local to the
States, is a polity the foundations OF
which were laid in prOfoundest wis
dom. This is the Union eur fathers
made, and which has been 50 respected
abroad and so beneficent at home.
Tried by blood and fire, it stands to.
day model form of free popular gov,
ernment; political system which,
rightly administered, has been and
Will continue te be the admiration OF
the world. May we not say nearly in
the words of Washington . Tue
unity of the government which con-
stitutes US one people is justly dear to
us; !; it is the main pillar i'll the edifice
OF our real independents, the suppor,
of our peace, safety and prosperity
and of that liberty we so highly prize
and intend at every hazard toapre
| serve a,.,--t.., ....s. t..5 ISL .I Fl
But to the form of government
however carefully devised, no prInci-
plies however sound will protect the
rights of the people unless the admin
istration is faithful and efficient. Ii
is vital principle in our system thai
neither fraud nor force must be allow.
ed to snbvert the rights OF the people
When fraud, violence or Incompetence
controls, the nobIest constitutions and
wisest laws are useless.
\ The bayOnet Is not fit instrument
for collecting the votes OF freemen
1t 10 only by q full vote, free ballot an(
fair count, that the people can rule il
fact, as required by the theory OF oul
government. Take this foundation
away, and the whole structure falls.
Public Office is a trust, not bounty
bestowed upon the holder. No in
competent or dishonest persons should
ever be entrusted with it, or if ap
pointed they should promptly b.
elected. e a,4..r4lT .s.ueI ~
Our material interests, varied AM
progressive, demand our constant ant
united efforts. A sedplous and scru
pulous care of the public credit, to
gether with wise and economica
management of our governmental ex
} penditures, should be aintained, il
order that labor may be lightly bur
dened, and that all persons may b,
protected in their rights to the fruit
of their own Industry. 49,.
The time has come to enjoy the sub
stantlal benefits of reconciliation. A
one people, wehave common interests 8
Let Us encourage harmony and gener
Gus rivalry among our own Industries
. which will revive our iangnishins
marine, extend our commerce with
foreign nations, assist our merchants
manufacturers and producers to de
velop our vast natural resources, anG
increase the prosperity and happines!
of onr people. Il i3s-,i1loo- 3
If elected, 1 shall, with Divine favor
labor with what ability | possess tt
discharge my duties with fidelity, &C
cOrding to my convictions, and shal
take care to project and defend tn,
Union, and to see that the laws b,
faithfully and equally executed in al
parts of the country alike. L will as
sumo the responsibility, fully sensible
OF the fact that TO administer right.
: the functions of the government, is t.
!, discharge the most sacred duty tina
can devolve upon an American citizen
/ am very respectfully yours,
. r.1 tisL -t-i w. s. HANCOCK.
To Hon. John W..stsvenson,n Presi
. dent of Convention; Hon. John T
Stockton, Chairman. and others q
(iommiifee of The NafionaI Demo