Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1880-08-07
GEN, HANCOCKS LETTER OF ACCEP-
TANCE.

of acceptance:
Gentlemen-I have the honor to acknow-
ledge receipt of your letter of July 13,
1880, apprising me formally of my NOM
ination to the office of President of the
United States by the National Democratic
Convention lately assembled TN Cine H.
natl. Iaccept the nomination with CRATE
ful appreciation of the confidence repose1
in me.
The principles enunciated by the con-
vcntion are those have cherished in the
past and shall endeavor to maintain in
| the futnre. The thirteenth, fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments of the cousti-
tuition of the United States, embody ing
the result of the waA for the Union, are
inviOla5le. If called to the Presidency.
l should deem it my duty to resist with
all my power any attempt to impair or
| evade the full force of the constitution,
| which in every article, section and amend
ment is the supreme law of the land.
| The constitution forms the basis of the
Government, of the United States. The
| powers granted by it to the Legislative,
| executive and judicial departments, de-
fine and limit the authority of the Cen
| eral Government. The powers not dele
| gated to the Unite,l States by the consti
| tuition, nor prohibited by it to the States,
| belonging to the States respectively, Or
! TO the people. The General an6 State
Governments, each acting in its own
| sphere, without trenching on the Lawful
| jurisdiction of the other, constitute the
Union,
This union, comprising tbs General
! Government with general powers, and
States Governments with State powers,
for purposes local to States, is a policy,
the foundations of which were laid in he
pc ''undcSt wislcm. This is the un on
OF t;;thers matte and which has been So
| respected abroad and so beMeiicent at
home. Tried by blood and fire, 1t stands
to-day a model form of fee popular gov
crnment; Il political system which, right
~ administered, has been, and will con-
tinue to be tie admiration Of the world.
May we not fsay, nearly in the words of
Washington, that the unity of govern
ment which constitutes MS one people is
justly dcar to us. 1t is the main pillar in
the edifcc of our real independence, the
| support of onr peace, safety and prosper
| ity, and oftl!at liberty we so highly prize
! and intend at every hazard to preserve.
Bat no form of government, however
carefully devised: no principles, howev-
er sound, will protect the rights of the
people unless the administration is faith
full and efficient. It is q vital principle in
onr system that nett her fraud nor force
must be allowed to subvert the rights Of
the people. When fraud, violence or in
competence controls, the noblest consti-
tutions and wisest laws are useless. The
bayouet is not a fit instrument for collect
| ing the votes of free men, 1t is only by
| Il full vote, free ballot and taii count that
| the people can rule in fact, as required by
! the theory of our Government. Take this
! fourdation away and the whole structure
| falls. Puplic office is Il trust, not a boun-
| ty bestowed upon the holder. No incom-
petent or dishonest person should ever be
in,rusted with it, or if appointed, they
should be promptly elected.
The basis of subs' antial practical civil
service reform must first be established
by the people in filling the elective offices.
If they fix a high standard of qualiiica
| tions for office and sternly reject the cor
rupt and incompetent, the result will be
decisive in governing the action of the
servants whom they intrust with the APP
pointing power.
The war for the Union was successfully
closed more than fifteen years. ago. All
classos of our people must Share alike III
the blessings of the Union, aud are equal
ly concerned in its perpetuity and in the
prov cr administration of public affair.
We are in q state of profound peace.
Henceforth let it be our purpose to culti-
vate sentiments of friendship and no an
imosity against our tellow'citizens. Our
mutual interests, varied and progressive,
demand our constant and united efforts.
a sedulous and scrupulous care of pub
lie credit, together with wise and econo
mical mana cement Of our Government
expenditures should he maintained in or
| der that labormay he lightly hurdened and
| that all persons may he protected in their
rights 10 the fruits of their OWL industry.
| The time has come to JOY the su hstan-
| tial benefits of reconciliation. As one
| people we have common interests; let rs
encourage the harmony and generous ii
valry among onrssowr INDUSTRIES which
will revive our languiShing merchant ma
rine, extend our commerce with foreign
| countries. assist our merchants, manutac-
lures and produces 10 develop our vas5
natural resources, ANA increase the pros
pert v aud happiness Of our people. 1t
elected, | shall, with divine favor, labor
with what ability l possesses to discharge
my duties with fidelity, according to my
convictions, aud shal, take care to pro
tect and defend the Union, and to see
tI, LOWS Iva f,itI,tuily and eOuHllV